History of the Temple
The land for the construction of the temple was commissioned to Swaminarayan by the British Imperial Government, following which Swamiji personally transferred the responsibility of the temple to Ananandanand Swami. The construction of the temple was completed on February 24, 1822, and the sculptures of the Lord were installed in the sanctum in the presence of about 50,000 pilgrims from all over the country.
The temple found an unlikely admirer in Sir Dunlop, a British officer who then allocated an area of 5,000 acres in Kalupur of Ahmedabad to the temple authority. Upon the completion of the temple, Sir Dunlop commanded a 101 gun salute in honour of the edifice. The temple was always a big part of the development of the community, and when the British wanted to build a railway station in Kalupur, the temple returned part of the land allocated to them. Subsequently, they were compensated by the government in the form of another 1,000 acres of land in Narayan Nagar village situated nearby.
Architecture of the Temple
The architecture of the temple is a fine example of detailed and artistic handiwork. As you enter the temple, you will encounter the central gateway which is a sublime amalgam of local, Marathi, Rajasthani and British style of design. The gateway bears sculptors carved with the folk costumes and culture of the locals, while the columns of the temple depict a Corinthian design. The top of the pavilion has some reflections of Mughal architecture as well.
The main sanctum of the Narayan Temple has delicate carvings depicting the life of the Lord and many other auspicious symbologies pertaining to the divine. In the centre is the sculpture of Narnarayan Dev flanked by Radhakrishna Dev on the right, Dharmadev, Bhakti Mata and Harikrishna on the left. In addition to these deities, the idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj in the form of a child is also present in the temple's Rang Mahol.
Towards the west of the temple's main complex lies the former official residence of Acharya of the Narnarayan Dev Gadi. Now, the ground floor has been converted into a temple for Samkhya Yogi women who have taken a vow and celibacy and dedicated their lives to the service of the temple. An idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj has been installed in this temple and is served by the Sankhya Yogis. The mansion itself is adorned with scintillating chandeliers, suspended lamps and mirrors carvings of various geometrical patterns make an appearance in the architecture.
Best time to visit Swaminarayan Temple
Best time to visit is the morning hours around 8:00 AM when you can a witness the morning prayer services.
How to Reach Swaminarayan Temple
The Swami Narayan Temple is located in near the eastern part of the Old City and can be reached by the means of auto rickshaws, buses and taxis.
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Where to Stay
The temple provides A.C. guest rooms for its visitors. In addition to these, you can also stay at the Star Hotel, Excel Hotel, Hotel Dimple International, Sabar Inn Hotel and many others that are situated nearby.
Activities in Swaminarayan Temple
In addition to providing a spiritual getaway and prayer services, you can also take part in the Heritage walk that is conducted here. The temple is located in an area where the majority is Muslim population and this heritage walk is a part of the goodwill that exists between the two communities. The Walk was started on 19 November 1997 by the local municipal corporation in association with the Foundation for Conservation and Research of Urban Traditional Architecture (CRUTA). It begins from the Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur and ends at the Jama Masjid whilst covering 18 other sites. The path of the walk is spread over one and a half kilometres and takes 3 hours to complete.
Tips
1. Since this is a religious place, dress in a conservative manner2. Tobacco and liquor are strictly prohibited3. Take off your footwear at the entrance of the temple4. Since the temple can get crowded, take special care of your belongings
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