Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple ( Gandhinagar, Gujarat )

Akshardham Temple is situated in the Gandhinagar district ( Capital ) of Gujarat, which stands bounded by Ahmedabad city in the southwest. One of the largest temples of Gujarat, Akshardham is a place where you can find a rare amalgamation of devotion, art, architecture, education, exhibitions and research. The temple has been constructed under the aegis of Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) of India, which was and is headed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple of Gujarat was inaugurated on 2nd November 1992. The inauguration ceremony of the temple coincided with the centenary celebrations of Yogiji Maharaj and was conducted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj only. Akshardham Temple enshrines a seven-foot high, gold-leafed, idol of Lord Swaminarayan. It stands tall with a height of 108 feet and 6000 tones of stone were used in its construction. The magnum opus monument in rock is built according to the Vaastu Shastra (architectural treatise) and not even an inch of steel has been used. The main shrine contains a 1.2 ton gold plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan. The 7 foot high idol is built in a sitting posture, with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is accompanied by two other idols of his disciples on both sides. Swami Gunatitanand is on his right and Swami Gopalanand on his left.

Image credit : BeatrizBarrueto

Sahajanand Van – Sahajanand Van is a garden around the temple. It has a lake, a waterfall, a children’s park, rides and games and an herbal garden. You can enjoy and relax here. It also contains a marble statue of Lord Swaminarayan. Six thousand tonnes of pink sandstone were used in the construction of the monument. Akshardham Temple of Gujarat stands tall at a height of 108 feet and is 240 feet in length and 131 feet in width. The colonnade around the monument measures 1,751 feet (534 meters) in length. The garden surrounding the sanctum sanctorum is known as Sahajanand Van and represents a unique blend of contemplative garden and children’s park. There is a marble sculpture of Lord Swaminarayan inside the garden also.

Image credit : Manish

Akshardham temple complex also has a research center, known as the Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH). The research center has facilities like an extensive library, study stations and archives, but only enlisted scholars can enter the library and make use of its facilities. The first floor of the temple has a museum, which has a gallery with a collection of over 500 ‘parahansas’. Other items displayed inside the temple complex include the letter to Swaminarayan’s guru, Ramanand; an art object from an old tree from Chapaya; Swaminarayan’s shawl and an image of the Lord on a horse. The exterior galleries serve as the venue for artistic exhibition and offer Chez Integrovision shows, audio-visuals, multi-media and the works of Lord Swaminarayan from the Hindu epics. There are three permanent exhibition halls inside the complex, set up with the aim of educating people on spiritual matters and BAPS movement.

There are three halls in the temple premises and exhibitions are held here from time to time…

Hall 1 : Sahajanand

This hall exhibits the life history of Lord Swaminarayan, via imaginative settings and shows.

Hall 2 : Sat-Chit-Anand

This hall is used to present an IMAX large format film named ‘Mystic India’. It is an epic on the history of India. It also elaborates on the journey of the Lord to various places since childhood.

Hall 3 : Nityanand

The message of Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata is given to the people, via wall paintings and figures. There are even exhibitions on the ancient Indian era and world religions.

Manikaran (Hindi: मणिकर्ण) is located in the Parvati Valley between the rivers Beas and Parvati, northeast of Bhuntar in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. It is at an altitude of 1760 m and is located about 45 km from Kullu.

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Manikaran is a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikhs.  Both Hindi and Sikhs have their own belifes.  Manikaran is famous for  many temples and a gurudwara. There are temples of Lord Rama, Krishna, and Vishnu. The area is well-known for its hot springs and its beautiful landscape.

According to legend, when Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the Tandava and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905.

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Sikh belief

According to sikhs, during third Udasi, Guru Nanak Dev ji came to this place in 15 Asu 1574 Bikrami with his disciples Bhai Bala & Bhai Mardana.Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was with his Sikhs in the Himalaya mountains of India. His sikhs were hungry and there was no food. Guru Nanak sent his good Friend Bhai Mardana to collect food for langar (the Community Kitchen). Many people donated rice and flour(atta) to make parsadas (bread). The one problem was that there was no fire to cook the food. Guru Nanak than lifted a rock and a hot spring(hot water) appeared. The sikhs were able to make rice and beans. Bhai Mardana was having trouble making Chapatis because they kept sinking. Bhai Mardana said I am going to donate my life in the name of God. The parsada amazingly floated. Guru Nanak Dev Ji said that anyone who donates his life in the name of God, All his(or her) drowned items float. This was a miracle.

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Hindu belief

The legend of Manikaran states that while roaming around, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, once chanced upon a place that was surrounded by mountains and was lush green. Enamoured by the beauty of the place, they decided to spend some time there. It is believed that they actually spent eleven hundred years here.

During their stay here, Goddess Parvati lost her mani in the waters of a stream. Upset over the loss, she asked Shiva to retrieve it. Lord Shiva commanded his attendant to find out the mani for Parvati, however, when they failed, he was extremely angry. He opened his third eye, a tremendously inauspicious event which led to disturbances in the universe. An appeal was made before the serpent god, Sheshnag, to pacify Lord Shiva. Sheshnag hissed thereby giving rise to a flow of boiling water. The water spread over the entire area resulting in the emergence of precious stones of the type Goddess Parvati had lost. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were happy at the outcome.

Sikh pilgrimage

Manikaran is an extremely sacred place for the Sikh population of the country since it is believed that Guru Nanak Dev paid a visit here. The record of this can be found in the Janam Sakhi or the Twarikh Guru Khalsa (by Giani Gian). There is a mention that along with his disciple Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak came down to this place after visiting Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, Dasuya, Triloknath, Palampur, Kangra, Mandi, Chamba and Kulu and Bijli Mahadev. He was also accompanied by five of his followers or ‘piaras’.

Lord Ramchandra Temple at ManiKaran

This is perhaps the most important temple of Manikaran. The temple was constructed by Raja Jagat Singh in the 17th century. Though there is no historical evidence backing, still the idol of Shri Ram installed here is believed to have been brought straight from Ayodhya. An idol of Rama’s younger brother, Laksmana was also supposed to be there, however, it has now nowhere to be seen. An idol of Goddess Sita accompanies that of Lord Rama. The temple was renovated by Raja Dilip Singh in the year 1889. Though the history of the temple is inscribed in a stone of walls, yet nothing is visible. Today, the temple is been looked after by a trust. There are three halls and forty rooms in the temple complex, specially meant for the visiting devotees. A lungar is organised to distribute food to the devotees.

Temple of Lord Shiva at Manikaran

This temple is hugely revered as it belongs to Lord Shiva. However, an earthquake in the 1905 caused a bit of damage to the temple and it got slightly tilted. The importance of Manikaran is also judged from the fact that devtas of Kullu valley pay regular visit to this place on specified date.

Location:      Near the Eastern Banks of Yamuna
Ideal Time to Visit:     Anytime round the year, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
How to Reach:     Hire a cab or Auto from the hotel

Dwarkadhish Temple is not only an important temple of Mathura but also of India. Built in 1814, Dwarkadhish Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Mathura. Dwarkadhish Temple that is currently managed by the followers of the Vallabhacharya sect is the most visited temple in Mathura. Located in the eastern part of Mathura, not far from the Yamuna River, the temple is architecturally very interesting.

One Seth Gokul Das Parikh who was the treasurer of the estate of Gwalior built Dwarkadhish temple that is dedicated to Lord Krishna. He is supposed to be a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. An excellent work of art, the interiors of the temple include images of the Lord Krishna, his beloved Radha and other Hindu deities. The architecture of the temple has elements of local art and aesthetics. The temple carving and paintings are major attractions. The temple is a hub of activity during the festive days of Holi, Janmashtmi and Dipawali.

About Mathura

Kusum Sarovar made of red sandstone is a major attraction in Mathura Mathura is better known as the birth place of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was borne in prison which today lies in Sri Krishna Janamabhumi, a vast temple complex in the heart of Mathura. Located on the west banks of the sacred Yamuna, Mathura is fifty-six kilometers away from Agra and is at a distance of hundred and forty five kilometers from Delhi. Mathura is dotted with several significant landmark associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. The Dwarkhadhesh temple, the Kansa Qila, the Sati Burj and the Jama Masjid are some of the major tourist attractions of Mathura.

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada

Pic by :  Swami Gaurangapada