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                Spiritual Luminaries
 
                 
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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. 
                      " |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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."  |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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."   |   
                  |  | 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." |   
                  |  | 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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