Akshara Dham – A Modern Wonder

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India, the land of art and architecture boasts of several amazing architectural wonders.  The greatest works of art and architecture in India and around the world have been built by volunteer artisans who built temples, churches, mosques and other monuments as their offering to the Divine.  Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi that epitomizes 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss is no exception. The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.

It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.

While India is an ancient seat of art and architecture, it is technology that has propelled it forward during the past few decades.  In recognition of this fact Akshardham features state of the art technology in the areas of animatronics to help experience India’s glorious past

Thus like the thousands of temples across India, the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple has intricately carved sculptures and statues of deities. Unlike traditional Hindu temples, however, this one (on the banks of the Yamuna River and spread over 100 acres) also features a 12 minute indoor boat-ride, a light and sound show, an Imax screen, a musical Fountain, and animatronics, -characters that recount the life and philosophy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The site also includes three exhibition halls and two ponds. The temple’s main monument, a model of Vastu Shastra architecture, measures 141 feet in height, 316 feet in width, and 356 feet in length, and comprises 234 ornately carved pillars and more than 20,000 sculptures and statues of deities. The temple rests on a 1,070-foot long carved pink sandstone plinth featuring 148 huge elephants. A house of worship that borrows in equal measure from the spiritual as well as from Las Vegas and Walt Disney, the temple is carved from pink sandstone and white marble - and was reportedly designed without steel supports.

Swaminarayan Akshardham reflects the essence and magnitude of India's ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spirituality.  A temple dedicated to Swami Narayanan is the central monument in the complex.  Other parts include the

1) Hall of values -  where universal values for mankind are presented through audio-animatronics and light and sound diorama presentations from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

2) A giant screen film presented on an 85’ x 65’ screen that vividly portrays an 11-year-old child-yogi’s epic pilgrimage of India.

3) A 12-minute fascinating boat-ride experience of 10,000 years of India's glorious heritage. Learn about the discoveries and inventions of the rishi-scientists of India, see the world’s first university of Takshashila and sail through the caves of Ajanta-Ellora.

4) Musical Fountains which is an intriguing combination of a large stone step-well and a Vedic yagna kund with a colorful musical fountain that echoes Vedic sentiments and prayers.

5) Garden of India that includes sixty acres of lush lawns, gardens and exquisite bronze statues of India's child gems, valorous warriors, national figures and great women personalities inspire visitors with values and national pride.

The front enters features 10 gates symbolizing the 10 directions and seeking good thoughts to come in from all directions. Visitors then encounter the peacock gate that has 869 beautiful peacocks craved on it. Throughout the ages the peacock has been a symbol of beauty and purity.

To be continued....

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