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13 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 11) Thursday, New Delhi
From today the 25-day
long Akshardham Festival commenced with Swamishri’s
puja in the giant marquee in Pramukh Swami Nagar. Every evening
a satsang assembly was held from 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm in which
Sadhu Adarshjivandas elaborated upon Swaminarayancharit Manas
– the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Thereafter, a cultural
dance was performed by BAPS children, a guest speaker addressed
the assembly and Swamishri finally blessed the congregation.
Guest Speaker – Pujya Satyamitranandgiriji spoke
brilliantly on “Tena Tyaktena Bhujithaha.” Pujya
Satyamitranandgiriji said, “Pramukh Swami Maharaj has
created Akshardham, a new ‘world’. Here, people
will derive inspiration and get the opportunity of having
darshan and contemplation of our culture. After pilgrimaging
the four Himalaya pilgrim places this has become the fifth.
If anyone does not come here then his pilgrimage will be unfinished.
What Swamiji has created cannot be conceived in our dreams.”
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14 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 11) Friday, New Delhi
Guest Speakers:
H.H.Jitatmanand Swami, Vice-president of Ramkrishna Mission,
commented in his interview, “The temple, the sculptures,
very intricately carved designs, figures – very impressive.
I have been most impressed by the new Disneyland (Sanskruti
Vihar) about the Indian Vedic civilization. The film (Neelkanth
Yatra) has very deeply impressed me.
Swami Vivekanand said the highest men are calm, silent and
unknown. That is the source of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s
strength; calm, silent and unknown. He doesn’t project
himself. And secondly, Swami Vivekanand said that man becomes
the world mover in whom their little self is dead and God
stands there. In Pramukh Swami I find a child-like egoless
saint. In such an egoless saint God works wonders. There is
no doubt about that.”
Shri Pradipji Mittal, President of Agarwal Samaj, said,
“Akshardham is such
a wonderful creation that it was required in Bharat. With
creations like Akshardham there is a revival of Indian cultural
values. Through modern techniques employed in the exhibition
halls one gets the opportunity of seeing our culture and they
are therefore the sources of character and values. When I
received Swamiji’s blessings I felt as if I am receiving
the blessings of God through him.”
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15 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 13) Saturday, New Delhi
Guest Speakers:
Dr R Chidambaram, scientist and
chief scientific adviser of India, said, “It is impossible
to believe that all this has been achieved in a brief span
of five years. You have mixed spirituality with high technology.
What you are doing here in Akshardham in Delhi, and what of
course you have done in London and in Gandhinagar, and in
many other places, is to restore to India its great spiritual
heritage.
Guests: Shri Bharatbhai Shah, industrialist and social
worker, Dubai, reflected, “Only a Yugpurush (epoch-maker)
sent by God can accomplish such a wonderful complex.”
Shri L.D. Mittal, owner of Sonalik Tractors, opined, “After
seeing Akshardham I felt as if a magician has created this
complex. In four to five years such a big structure! To make
a small bungalow it takes four years. This is possible only
through God’s grace. It is an amazing confluence of
sculpture, science and bhakti.”
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16 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 14) Sunday, New Delhi
Guests:
H.H.Acharya Mahapragnaji, Jain
Spiritual Leader, said, "After coming here I have seen
the tangible form of dharma. In the afternoon I saw the life
of Swaminarayan (large format film). I was wonderstruck how
a teenage boy could be so fearless, how he could be so courageous!
It is simply unimaginable. I am pleased by the concentration
with which the complex has been made. I asked the sadhu guiding
us as to who visualised this and who was the architect. I
got one answer that Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It is a wonderful
experience for me. Where there is such humility and guru bhakti
there such a great work is possible.” Swami
Pujya Swami Nirliptanandji, Vice president of Divine Life
Society, praised, “The whole complex has been so nicely
made. Everything is very beautiful, very impressive. I have
been very much impressed by the film (giant screen film) on
Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Pramukh Swami Maharaj has done a great
service to the entire country by conceiving the Akshardham
complex. Here the entire Indian culture has been beautifully
highlighted so that every Indian can know what is our grand
Indian culture, what is our great heritage and how rich it
is. I believe that the entire Akshardham reflects the personality
of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”
Shri Ramesh Agrawal, owner of Dainik Bhaskar daily, said,
“I have never seen such a work in my whole life. I believe
that this mandir is a great gift to Indian culture, Hindu
dharma and our society. The way in which the presentations
are made are unparalleled. For centuries people will be inspired.”
Shri Indravadan Modi, Chairman of Cadila Pharmaceuticals,
reveals, “It seems
impossible for a person to do this. In this work I see God.
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17 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 15) Monday, New Delhi,
Sharad Punam
A lunar eclipse was
observed from 5.04 pm to 6.03 pm. Swamishri presided over
the eclipse assembly where dhun, bhajan and speeches were
made by sadhus.
The celebration assembly of the 220th birth anniversary of
Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami commenced at 8.00 pm. Viveksagar
Swami talked about the ‘Uniqueness of Aksharbrahma’,
Tyagvallabh Swami talked about ‘Unparalleled Aksharbrahma’,
Kothari Swami praised about the ‘Matchless Austere Spirit
of Aksharbrahma’, Dr Swami talked about ‘Aksharbrahma’s
Uniqueness in Spreading the Glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’,
Mahant Swami elaborated upon the ‘Unique Gunatit Parampara’.
Finally, the assembly was capped by Swamishri’s blessings,
“Maharaj came on earth with his abode Aksharbrahma.
By realising the latter one attains Maharaj. Swami discoursed
about the supreme glory of Maharaj. When one engages in listening
to discourses one realizes one’s base nature, because
without associating with the holy Sadhu one cannot realize
one’s base nature.” The fifth and final arti was
performed by Swamishri and the assembly concluded at 10.25
pm.
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- 18 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 1) Tuesday, New Delhi
Guests:
H.H.
Swami Dayanand Saraswatiji, Head of Arsh Vidya Gurukulam,
said, “Any one who comes here will go back being proud
that we belong to a great heritage. Any non-Indian who is
a visitor will never go back saying that India is a country
so full of dust and poverty. He will say India is a place
of devotion, art and everything.”
H.H. Swami Harinarayanand,
Secretary of Bharat Sadhu Samaj, expressed his feelings, “The
large format film of Neelkanth is unparalleled. It will inspire
society with truth, endeavor, self-control and renunciation.
I was amazed at the presentation of rishis (Sanskruti Vihar)
from the Vedic period to the present. Nowhere in India or
the world is something like this seen. It is a matter of great
pride for India. The new generation will be inspired as to
how to live.”
H.H. Swami Mangalanandji,
President of Sadhu Samaj, stated, “In five years you
have accomplished 500 years. I am wonderstruck by what I have
seen. I often say that Gandhiji is the father of the national
revolution and Swamiji is the father of a spiritual revolution.”
Shri Prakashchandra Hinduja,
an industrialist, said, “After entering the complex
I visited the different places and I felt that this place
has become the new future place of God."
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- 19 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 2) Wednesday, New Delhi
Guests:
Shri Pranav Pandya, Head of Gayatri
Parivar, opined, “I have seen that each and every part
of this whole complex, the big temple of peace, speaks the
language of the soul. Everywhere you look you can see the
elegance, beauty and magnanimous form of Indian culture.”
Shri V. Tulsidas, Chairman and M.D. of Air India, said, “It
is a wonderful experience. One thing that stands out is that
an institution like this founded so many, many years ago is
so much alive today that it is wonderful. There has to be
something really moving, really spiritual behind this if it
has to produce this kind of an impact after so many centuries.”
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- 20 October
205 (V.S. 2061, Aso sud 4) Thursday, New Delhi
From today, the different
departments behind the celebration presented their reports
before Swamishri during his breakfast, lunch and dinner times.
Guests:H. H. Jeer
Swami, Head of Ramanuj Sampraday, Totadri, reflected, “I
am indeed blessed and privileged to have seen Akshardham.
I feel an indescribable joy. I have seen many buildings. They
are beautiful but what has been created here is doubtlessly
unique.
H.H. Balgangadharnathji, Head of Adi Chunchungiri Math, Banglore,
said, “Vaikunth has been created here. Whatever good
that can be created that has been done and shown here by Pramukh
Swami Maharaj. No matter how atheistic a person be but by
seeing this he will experience inner peace. Also, seeing the
simplicity and other virtues in Pramukh Swami Maharaj gives
inner peace."
Shri Sudarshanji Birla, industrialist, lauded, "This
is something fantastic. It is out of this world. This place
inspires bhakti. I came as a tourist, but the things I have
seen here, the thoughtfulness which has gone into its construction
and the idea behind it inspires anybody. Even if he is a non-believer
he will go away with a great deal of inspiration. Bhakti is
very much present here; this is what you want in any temple.
After seeing the Akshardham complex there was a feeling inside
that this is definitely the house of God.”
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- 21 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 4) Friday, New Delhi
Guests:
H.H. Shri Vishveshtirthji, Head
of Pejavar Math, opined, “I am very happy and wonderstruck
after seeing Akshardham. I experienced that I was not in this
world. You have created Indralok in Indraprastha. It is a
place of pride for all Indians. It is a beacon of gnan and
bhakti for the life-boats sailing in this ocean of life.
“I am astonished by the film on Bhagwan Swaminarayan
(large format film). I am inspired. The life and message of
Swaminarayan is a source of guidance for the whole world.
Akshardham is a grand mandir of our culture that spreads devotion,
love and spirituality. In the Bhagvad Gita Arjun regains his
memory and becomes free of disillusion (moha) by the cosmic
darshan of Bhagwan Shri Krishna. Similarly, this mandir where
one has the darshan of the cosmic form of our culture, will
destroy the disillusionment. For all youths Akshardham will
become a place of enlightenment.”
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- 22 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 5) Saturday, New Delhi
Guest:
Shri Balkrishna Shriya, M.D. LML
Ltd., praised, “This
temple is a jewel on earth, not only in Delhi and India. And
the way you have put the robotics are life-like and amazing.
After seeing Akshardham, I can say that Swamiji has rejuvenated
our ancient heritage. Whoever comes here will at the most
make efforts to reform himself.”
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- 23 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 6) Sunday, New Delhi
After his morning puja
Swamishri performed pujan of a large pair of marble charnarvinds
(footprints of Bhagwan Swaminarayan) that were to be placed
between the two Mayur Dwars in Akshardham complex.
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H.H. Chidanandji
Maharaj (Muniji), Head, Parmarthniketan, Rishikesh, said,
“In the giant Akshardham complex I experienced in every
step the darshan of our culture, samskars and the sadhna of
sadhus. Here, there is the power of bhakti and seva.”
Shri Rameshbhai Oza, an eloquent propagator of Shrimad Bhagvat,
added, “In the 21st century the country which has the
richest cultural heritage will be held to be the best. Delhi
is the heart of our country and Pramukh Swami Maharaj has
established Akshardham in its heart.”
Shri Hridaynarayanji, Scholar in Ancient History, said, “I
believe the greatest personal motive in man is to attain moksha.
Akshardham has the potential to guide and take one to the
doors of this personal motive. For spiritual sadhaks this
will forever remain an ideal pillar. In future any sculptor
or artist will come here for inspiration. For centuries it
will proclaim that Indian culture is not only rich but it
is also alive.”
Shri Bhagwat Swaroop, Settlements Commission, Government of
India, related, “What has touched me is the dedication
of the workers. The complex is a spiritual journey of India’s
glorious past. There is a unique blend of India’s glorious
past and the present age technology. I would say that I am
spiritually enlightened by it and I am sure that whenever
anybody visits this monument, he is going to be spiritually
inspired by it.”
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- 24 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 7) Monday, New Delhi
Guests: ? Shri
Jayramanji Iyer, Director, Stock Holding Corpn. of India,
explained, “Three important messages have really touched
me here. 1. Any action you do, if it is selfless then it will
become sublime. 2. The greatest thing in life is to avoid
war. Avoid ashanti at any cost. We must consciously try to
bring peace around us and if anyone tries to bring peace around
himself the world will be a peaceful place. 3. If you want
to have these kinds of thought processes to take place in
your mind it is very important you change your food habit
and become vegetarian. These three messages are really relevant
to the world and if everybody listens to Pramukh Swami Maharaj,
I am sure our world will be the best place to live. The devas
will come from heaven to live on earth.”
Shri Arun Gujarati, President of Maharashtra National Congress
Party, stated, “I have seen half the world, but I have
never seen such a mandir in my life. It is a spiritual centre,
religious centre, tourist centre – whatever one wishes
one will get here. And one will definitely get peace here.”
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- 25 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 8) Tuesday, New Delhi
Guest: Pujya
Nikhilanand Swami, Chinmaya Mission, explained, “On
seeing the Akshardham complex, the first question that arose
in mind was, ‘Whose dream was it?’ Then I came
to know it was the dream of Yogiji Maharaj and Pramukh Swami
Maharaj. Then there was no doubt that the dream would become
a reality.
“Just as the Bhagvad Gita is a good book among all books
and it is the center of a very appealing philosophy, similarly,
if one sees in the whole of Delhi one will find Akshardham
to be the most appealing spiritual center.”
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- 27 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 10) Thursday, New Delhi
Guests: ? Shri
Satish Gujral, Renowned Architect and Artist, wrote, “I
am otherwise not a believer, but there are times when you
see such a thing that you have to make yourself believe that
there is something like Providence which gives man such power
to create such a place. This place, as I am told, is created
in just 5 years. I am not only an artist but an architect
and I have seen projects being built. And seeing the limitations
and style in India, I think normally it would have taken 50
years to build such a thing. It is a very beautiful place,
very well planned and as I told you before it can make a non-believer
become a believer.
Venkatpati Kutumb Shastri, Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrut
Sansthan, revealed, “Through the wish and austerity
of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the mandir that I have seen serves
the ‘taste’ of wonder. It can be compared to the
cosmic form of God as described in the 11th chapter of Bhagvad
Gita.”
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28 October 2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 11) Friday, New Delhi
Guest: H.H.Gajpati
Divyasinh Dev Maharaj, King of Jagannathpuri, expressed, “I
think the person who comes here would get the impression that
life is meant for a spiritual journey and it is only the spirituality
that really matters. Akshardham will be a call for a better
world, better future and glorious human existence in the days
to come.”
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- 29 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 12) Saturday, New Delhi
Guests: Shri
Vatsa Goswami, Acharya of Gaudiya Sampraday, said, “
Akshardham is not merely
a mandir of the guru tradition, but it also reveals our great
traditions: tradition of art, sculptor and architecture.”
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- 30 October
2005 (V.S. 2061, Aso vad 13) Sunday, New Delhi
Guests: Hasan
Kamal, Poet, Bahrain, praised, “Every column, every
corner, every place made is really unique. It is hand made.
A house takes more than two years to finish and this has been
done in a very short period of time.”
Shri D.R. Kartikeyan, Former Director of CBI and Director
General of Human Rights Commission, lauded, “If there
is going to be an assessment on the 7 Wonders of the World,
I think this complex is going to get the top most place. Every
Indian should be proud of this. When you go around, it is
just beautiful to look at and very entertaining. Every aspect
of it imparts certain values of art and science of living
a full life, harmonious life, spiritual life and a life full
of harmony between various sects and groups of people all
over the world.”
Abdul Hamid, Under Secretary, Bahrain, said, “Akshardham
is so wonderful that it seems that aliens from another planet
have come and made it. This is not a work of humans.”
Shri Balasubramaniam, Director of CBSE, praised, “I
think it is a great spiritual monument which the city of Delhi
should be proud of. It imbibes the basics of all religions,
the immense wealth of our cultural heritage and the vibrancy
of Indian thought. I think this kind of monument is required
to make an impregnable impact on the younger generation of
our country, who can really feel the mind and spirit of India.”
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![Swamishri welcomes Dr. R. Chidambaram, chief scientific adviser for Govt. of India. In his address he said, "Whether you are a scientist or otherwise, you are really impressed by the spirit of spirituality that you see in Akshardham and I myself feel tremendously invigorated by my visit here today."](javascript:imageh(' Swamishri welcomes Dr. R. Chidambaram, chief scientific adviser for Govt. of India. In his address he said, "Whether you are a scientist or otherwise, you are really impressed by the spirit of spirituality that you see in Akshardham and I myself feel tremendously invigorated by my visit here today."','photo/delhi/img_0416f.jpg'))
![Jain Acharya Mahapragnaji, "I saw the film on Swaminarayan and I was really amazed at how a teenager could be so brave."](javascript:imageh(' Jain Acharya Mahapragnaji, "I saw the film on Swaminarayan and I was really amazed at how a teenager could be so brave."','photo/delhi/img_0640f.jpg'))
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![Shri Balkrishna Shriya, MD LML Ltd., said, "This temple is a jewel on Earth, not only in Delhi and in India."](javascript:imageh(' Shri Balkrishna Shriya, MD LML Ltd., said, "This temple is a jewel on Earth, not only in Delhi and in India."','photo/delhi/crw_7028f.jpg'))
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![Jayraman Iyer, Director of Stock Holding Corp. of India, expressed, "Akshardham is really breathtaking."](javascript:imageh(' Jayraman Iyer, Director of Stock Holding Corp. of India, expressed, "Akshardham is really breathtaking." ','photo/delhi/img_3654f.jpg'))
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![Swamishri blesses Shri Satish Gujaral, a renowned international artist and architect. With reference to Akshardham he said, "I am otherwise not a believer, but there are times when you see such a thing that you have to make yourself believe that there is something like Providence which gives man such power to create such a place."](javascript:imageh(' Swamishri blesses Shri Satish Gujaral, a renowned international artist and architect. With reference to Akshardham he said, "I am otherwise not a believer, but there are times when you see such a thing that you have to make yourself believe that there is something like Providence which gives man such power to create such a place." ','photo/delhi/img_8230f.jpg'))
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![Acharya Vatsa Goswami of Gaudiya Sampraday blessed the assembly, "This Akshardham is not only a mandir of the guru tradition, but it also portrays our rich traditions - of art, sculpture, architecture."](javascript:imagev(' Acharya Vatsa Goswami of Gaudiya Sampraday blessed the assembly, "This Akshardham is not only a mandir of the guru tradition, but it also portrays our rich traditions - of art, sculpture, architecture." ','photo/delhi/img_8673f.jpg'))
