Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad

Infobox Mandir


caption= The headquarters of the Narnarayan Dev Gaadi
creator = Swaminarayan
date_built = February 24th 1822
primary_deity = Narnarayan Dev, Radhakrishna Dev, Dharmadev, BhaktiMata and Harikrishna.
location = Ahmedabad

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad (Devnagari: श्री स्वमिनरयन मन्दिर, अह्मादाबाद) is the headquarters of the NarNarayan Dev Gadi. cite book |author=Raymond BradyWilliams |title=An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism |publisher=Cambridge UniversityPress |location= |year=2001 |url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tPkexi2EhAIC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA33&dq=tejendraprasad&lr=&output=html&sig=usNlyIA5gyEaRB9DwFmIagMZDyI |isbn=isbn052165422X |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=p.36] This is the world's first Swaminarayan temple and was built in Ahmedabad by the instructions of Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. [cite web | url=http://www.ahmedabad.org.uk/religious-places/swaminarayan-temple.html | title= Ahmedabad Swaminarayan Temple]

About this Mandir

The land for construction of this first shrine of Swaminarayan Sampraday, was gifted by the British Imperial Government. The task of constructing this pilgrimage place was entrusted personally by Swaminarayan to Ananandand Swami. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayanwales.org.uk/Mandirs/mandirdetails.asp?mandircode=18 | title=Shree Swaminarayan Temple Kalupur, Ahmedabad]

This was the first temple of the Swaminarayan Sampraday constructed as per scriptural norms with intricate carving in pure Burma-teak and constructed with sculptural art by depicting deities' episodes, auspicious symbols and religious icons representing axiomatic religion and Indian culture. The temple is believed to be a valuable cultural heritage in the socio-religious history of Gujarat and India.cite book |author=Lang, Jon T. |title=Urban Design: A typology of Procedures and Products. Illustrated with over 50 Case Studies |publisher=Architectural Press |location=London |year=2005 |url=http://books.google.ie/books?id=sc-fL5Lt720C&pg=PA86 |isbn=0-7506-6628-5 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=p.86]

The installation ceremony of the murti forms in the temple was celebrated in the presence of thousands of pilgrims representing many parts of India.

Besides the Gods in the main temple, an idol in the form of a child, Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in a place called "Akshar Bhavan", where personal items of Swaminarayan have been displayed for viewing by the visitors and devotees. An idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in a place called the "Rang Mahol" in the temple where Swaminarayan stayed during his Ahmedabad visits. Besides the worshipable deities of the main temple, it is also housing the sculptures of Swaminarayan. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan.info/mandirs/kalupur/architecture.asp | title= Architecture of Swaminarayan temple Ahmedabad]

Further Information

The Haveli (Mansion) to the west of the temple used to be the official residence of Acharya of the Uttar Desh. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan.info/mandirs/kalupur/architecture.asp | title=Baio ni Haveli]

Now, the ground floor of the front side, houses the offices and the inner portion accommodates the residency of the Samkhya Yogi women. In the inner temple, the Gadiwalla (the Acharya Maharajshri's wife & spiritual leader of the females in the Swaminarayan Sampraday) holds religious assemblies solely for the benefit of the females. An idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in this temple and is served by the Sankhya Yogi female devotees. [cite web | url=http://www.swaminarayan.info/mandirs/kalupur/architecture.asp | title=Baio ni Haveli]

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.swaminarayansatsang.com/temples/templesdetails.asp?Mandirid=93 Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs - Ahmedabad]

See also

* Swaminarayan
* Swaminarayan Faith
* Swaminarayan temples