In Delhi and Gujarat, the magnificent Akshardham temple stands as an eternal symbol of spirituality, along with its divine architectural beauty. This breathtaking temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a highly revered figure in Hinduism. Individuals from all around the world travel to Delhi, especially to visit the sacred Swaminarayan Akshardham temple to more than just admire its beauty.
The stunning temple is a highly spiritual place with a powerful divine aura and positive energies, and visiting it can help one immensely to commence on their spiritual journey, and seek the blessings of Lord Swaminarayan.
Who is Bhagwan Swaminarayan?Bhagwan Swaminarayan was born Ghanshyam Pande in 1781 in Chhapaiya, Northern India. He is a highly revered Hindu figure renowned for his timeless spiritual teachings, highlighting the importance of moral living and ethical conduct, leading to the ultimate spiritual enlightenment. At the early age of 20, he became a spiritual teacher after getting initiated by Ramanand Swami. After the passing of Ramanand Swami, Lord Swaminarayan introduced the Swaminarayan Mantra, which quickly became popular amongst his followers for leading them to ‘Samadhi’, meaning deep spiritual experiences. His practical life teachings, based on immense devotion, spiritual guidance, and ethical living established a strong foundation for the Swaminarayan tradition.
Image credit: Instagram/@delhi.akshardham
The sacred center area of the Akshardham templeAt the center of the sacred Akshardham temple, there is a main shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, consisting of a beautifully created idol of the deity. This carefully crafted design of the shrine showcases Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s divinely peaceful presence and nature. All of the walls and surroundings around the temple, particularly the area of the main shrine are embellished with elaborate engravings that explain the notable tales of his life, honoring him and emphasizing Hindu mythology and tradition, creating the perfect atmosphere for worship.
The beautiful blend of traditional and modern designThe Akshardham temple or the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is incredibly renowned for its divinely magnificent design and carefully curated architecture. This craftsmanship demonstrates the authenticity of traditional Indian architecture combined beautifully with modern techniques, creating a uniquely breathtaking structure, which is not only a monumental structure but also a divine place to worship and lead a path of spiritual enlightenment. The temple offers both, a serene beauty while also presenting an opportunity to learn in-depth about the different traditions and mythological tales of Hinduism, through its detailed engravings and unique scriptures.
The Swaminarayan traditionThe Swaminarayan tradition is a significantly important part of the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan which particularly emphasizes the ultimate devotion to God, spiritual discipline as well as morally ethical behaviour. This tradition, founded by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, is a notable part of Akshardham, consisting of a diverse variety of activities as well as significant teachings.
The Akshardham temple is not just a place of worship, it is also a great place to learn and participate in community activities, helping you learn more about your culture, and get new and insightful perspectives about the world around you as well as yourself, both spiritually and intellectually. It furthermore fosters the significance of spiritual growth, ethical living, and the importance of maintaining a harmonious balance, inspired by the valuable teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
And so, The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is a must-visit for everyone wanting to learn about the valuable teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and connect with him on a spiritual level. It is not only an incredibly beautiful place to spend time in peace and calm, but also an opportunity to indulge in the ultimate enlightening and meaningful experience.
Light and water showAkshardham mandir also presents a beautiful light and water show, demonstrating the story of Kahna ji’s childhood, including an adorable little tale of how he used to play with his friends, steal Makhan (butter) playfully from the houses, and get caught by his mother. This is a divinely fascinating presentation, created by modern visualization, high-tech vibrant lighting, melodious music and tunes, and tremendous use of water, making it a must-attend show, whenever planning a visit to Akshardham. While enjoying the beautiful presentation, it also further helps you gain an interesting perspective into other highly revered deities and Bhagwans in Hinduism.