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Spiritual Luminaries
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His
Holiness The Dalai Lama, Amdavad, 1985
During his
official visit to the Bicentenary Celebration of Gunatitanand
Swami in 1985, H.H. The Dalai Lama said in his address:
"Your Organization is doing great service to mankind
by spreading the message of goodness and joy. It is indeed
commendable that the Swaminarayan Movement has not limited
its work to the Movement alone, but has gone out in society,
conducted a door to door crusade against the evils of society
to promote peace and harmony.
I am deeply impressed by the fact that the youths are so
actively involved in the activities of this Movement."
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Pujya
Harinarayananandji,
Secretary, Bharat Sadhu Samaj, 1992
During the
Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj in 1992, Pujya Harinarayananand
Swami said: "Pramukh Swami has sacrificed his entire
life in serving people and in spreading spirituality. I
call him the jewel among saints. I use these words not to
praise him but I say it as a responsible person of the Sadhu
Samaj and as a guru of 80,000 disciples. Today, Pramukh
Swami Maharaj, like a shining constellation, is promoting
spiritual values in the world. No other guru has spread
spiritual values in India and abroad as Pramukh Swami Maharaj."
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Pujya
Swami Madhvacharya, Head of 'Mansa' temple, Guru Mandal
Ashram, Haridwar,
12 Sept. 1987
"I
am very pleased to see a great soul. Swamiji's greatest
contribution lies in his ceaseless efforts to instill our
culture and spiritual ideals among the masses residing in
our towns and villages."
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Pujya
Shastri Maheshwar Devji of Hanuman Temple, Haridwar, Guru
Mandal Ashram, Haridwar, 12 Sept. 1987
"Today, is a great auspicious day because Pramukh Swami
Maharaj is here with us. This 'Guru Ashram' has become the
abode of Vaikuntha. When Hanumanji went to Lanka, a city
drowned in material indulgence, jealousy and evil, he set
fire to it. Today, Narayan Swami (Pramukh Swami Maharaj)
has set fire to the world of lust, indulgence and evil.
One whose preachings ring with the note of practice can
offer effective service for the welfare of the country,
society and religion. Narayan Swami is one who practices
what he preaches."
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Swami
Raghuvirsinh Shastri, of 'Nirmal Sanstha', Guru Mandal Ashram,
Haridwar, 12 Sept. 1987
"When I entered this hermitage I felt that Pramukh
Swami Maharaj did not come on a pilgrim but came to sanctify.
In fact, wherever he goes he creates new pilgrim places.
Pramukh Swami is a God communion saint. If the people of
India and the world adopt the ideals of Pramukh Swami then
the entire world will be liberated. I believe that Swamiji
is not only the Guru of the Swaminarayan Faith but of the
world because he is the form of Narayan (the Master over
all things)."
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Pujya
Chidanand Swamiji, President, The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh,
22 November 1992
After seeing
the Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj, Pujya Chidanand
Swamiji expressed: "By the grace of beloved Pramukh
Swami, I have been very fortunate to have seen Akshardham.
I touched the holy feet of Bhagwan Swaminarayan's idol and
circumambulated Akshardham. I saw the museum of holy relics
and I was purified. For two and a half hours I saw everything
and it seemed as if I had been to heaven. The ideals of
the Upanishads, Ramayan and Mahabharat displayed in the
halls can elevate man to heaven and make him pure. The experience
is unforgettable. Akshardham is a testimony to the work
perfection and capabilities of saints. And such perfection
can only be possible through renunciation and devotion.
"
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Mahant
Avaidyanathji, Gorakshapithadhish, Gorakhpur, November 1992
During his visit to Akshardham in 1992 Mahant Avaidyanthji
said: "I am certain that whoever visits this newly
created Akshardham will take fresh inspiration from it.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj has inspired this complex for the
good of society, to give direction to people. It is not
merely built to spread the message of the religious movement.
This is what I feel in the short time that I have been here.
I have also seen here that children are given inspiration
to become good moral citizens that will enrich our society
of tomorrow. It can be said that Akshardham fulfills the
requirements for the multiple advancement of our society.
At the center of this noble activity is Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
I commend his spirit of enthusiasm, his effort and his vision
in creating this monumental project. This will definitely
help to transform our society for the better."
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The
Late Acharya Shushilmuniji, President,
Int. Mahavir Jain Mission, November 1992
"A
single visit to Akshardham is worth more than all the teachings
and all the knowledge that one would get from countless
life-molding books. Upto now we beheld the famous Jain temples
of Abu for their matchless beauty, but Akshardham is in
no way inferior. This is the first time that such a project
has been attempted in our day and age. Only Pramukh Swami
Maharaj is capable of accomplishing such a feat. Akshardham
is now the 8th wonder of the world - the other 7 wonders
pale into insignificance in front of this Monument . The
other wonders are rich in architectural beauty but they
do not offer life-inspiring messages as Akshardham does.
The art and beauty in Akshardham is unique and so are the
lively messages that it has to offer."
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Pujya
Mahant Nrityagopaldasji,
Badi Chhavani, Ayodhya, November 1992
"It is
said in the Ramcharitmanas that as one enters the precincts
of Rishi Kakbhushandi's ashram, one experiences divine peace.
A similar feeling is experienced as one enters the grounds
of Akshardham. A feeling of blissful joy is experienced
here. Having seen the beautiful structure of Akshardham,
I feel that the rich art of India and its glorious architectural
tradition is still alive and preserved in its entirety.
In terms of sheer beauty, Akshardham is in a league of its
own. No other temple can match its beauty. The exhibition
here is an inspiration to all. It will inspire goodness
in society and promise the all-round progress of our nation.
Just as one feels peace and joy in the closeness of God's
company and abode, likewise, one enjoys a similar blissful
state here in Akshardham. Many people get divine inspiration
here, an experience of God's love and care. I think Akshardham
is a unique and matchless pilgrim place of our country which
offers sublime peace to everyone."
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Pujya
Chinna Zeer Swamiji, Head of Ramanujacharya Gaadi, Andhra
Pradesh, November 1992
After his visit to Akshardham, Pujya Chinna Zeer Swami said:
"I feel it is one of the great wonders of the world.
We feel that this is the real place that we have to see.
Simply because here we see the scientific wonders based
on spiritual wonders and this is what today's world is in
need of. Akshardham is giving good medicine in a beautifully
capsulized form to society. Here, religion is put in a colorful
scientific capsule and presented to society."
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Pujya
Satyamitranandgiriji, President, Samanvay Trust, Haridwar,
November 1992
"In our
modern times Akshardham is an amazing religious place. For
centuries people will derive inspiration from this holy
place. I have faith that this architectural gift from Pramukh
Swami Maharaj will become more historic than the Taj Mahal."
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Sadhvi
Anantkirtishri,
Eminent Jain Renunciate, 6 June 1997
"After
visiting Akshardham, I feel that I have visited the eighth
wonder of the world. It is not merely a monument, a pilgrimage
or a temple, it is a classic mirror of our holy Indian Culture.
'NA KSHARATI ITI AKSHAR' - one which is indestructible is
called 'Akshar'. Hence, immortal Akshardham endows us with
self-realization and God-realization. Man has always been
a lover of art and beauty. Akshardham attracts thousands
of visitors from India and abroad by its beauty and art.
Each and every department of it is so beautiful that one
cannot decide which can be called the best. His Holiness
Pramukh Swamiji and his disciples have given their valuable
contribution for this great Dham. But I can say with confidence
that one who once visits Akshardham, takes its golden memories
with him forever."
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Sister
Vincent A.C.,
Eminent Christian Nun, 6 May 1997
"It
was an enriching experience, depicting noble truths and
values in the context of religion, culture, art and architecture.
May all those who visit Akshardham continue their search
for the infinite, the pure and the Truth eternal in their
hearts, in their lives and in the whole universe. Thanks
to the services of the guide whose pleasant manner, knowledge,
patient and clear explanations are greatly appreciated."
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Pujya
Goswami Indira Betiji,
Religious Leader, 1992
During her visit
to the Centenary Celebration of Yogiji Maharaj, Pujya Goswami
Indira Betiji expressed: "I am pleased to feel the
woman power here. United, women too can change the face
of the world. I am especially struck by the earnestness
to please the guru."
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The
Late Pujya Swami Atmanand, Head of Ramkrishna Mission, Raipur,
October 1985
After seeing the spiritual township celebrating the Bicentenary
of Gunatitanand Swami at Amdavad in 1985, Pujya Swami Atmanand
lauded the inspirer: "Oh! What a humble man. What a
divine man. I have yet to see such people in abundance.
One of the very rare souls that our country has. Pramukh
Swami is very dedicated, very spiritually high."
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Pujya
Acharya Dharmendraji,
Panchkhand Pithadhishwar, Profound propagator of Hinduism,
Amrut Mahotsav, Mumbai, 1995
"In India
there are many sadhus, many spiritual heads. They all are
worshipful. But the name of Pramukh Swami sits at the top.
He has, in the capital of England - a king in the age of
empires, created a Himalaya of Hinduism - a Mandir which
has overwhelmed everyone."
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H.H.
Swamishri Tejomayanandji,
President, Chinmaya Mission,
Mandir Mahotsav, Nairobi, August 1999
"A true sadhu is one in whom there is a confluence
of virtues like gnan, bhakti and selfless service. We have
an ideal example before us - Pramukh Swami Maharaj. In this
beautiful creation of the mandir we see the stupendous efforts
of Swamiji and his devotees. It reflects the guru bhakti
of the devotees. This mandir is not only for Indians but
also for the progress and elevation of the local people.
There is no doubt it will open the horizons of life and
inspire progress in the country."
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