Akshardham Temple
In the long history of man's endeavor to grasp
the fundamental truth of being,the sages and profound thinkers of early India
have helped in solving the problems of the origin,the nature and the destiny of
man and the universe. Since then temple has acted as the entrance of
self-realization and God. Akshardham is not just a temple,but a place of
education,entertainment and enlightenment. There are 73 richly patterned and 63
partially carved pillars.
Spread across a 23-acres,this complex is
flooded with shrines,sculptures,parks,lakes and rides. All these come together
to create the most powerful experience of Indian culture ever to exist.
Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and inspired by Pujya Pramukh Swami
Maharaj,Akshardham is a miracle worked by the service and devotion of thousands
of volunteers.
The imposing 10 story high monument is made
entirely of intricately carved,6000 tons of pink sand-stone from Rajasthan,with
no steel or cement used at all,ensuring that the monument will last for a
thousand years. More than 12 million man hours of 900 skilled craftsmen have
created this magnificent monument of 93 sculpted pillars,40 windows carved from
both sides,and a feast of forms and filigrees. Built inch to inch according to
the ancient Sthaapatya shastras of India,no steel has been used. Support beams
are 22 ft. single piece stone blocks. The pillars are poetry in stone,with
beautiful expression from foot to crown.
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