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Gujarat Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Location | |
Country: | India |
State: | Gujarat |
Location: | Vadtal |
Architecture and culture | |
Primary deity: | Laxminarayan Dev, Shri Ranchodraiji, Harikrishna Maharaj, Radhakrishna Dev, Shri Dharmadev, Bhaktimata and Vasudevji |
History | |
Date built: | 3rd of November 1824 |
(Current structure) | |
Creator: | Sahajanand Swami |
This temple is the declared as the headquarters for the Shri Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi that is a temple in Vadtal. The temple has three shrines where the central shrine is associated to Lakshmi Narayan. The right side of the temple has idols of Radha Krishna along with Swami Narayan who is in form of Hari Krishna while on the left side of the temple has idols of Vasudev. The wooden pillars are beautifully crafted. A dharamshala is also build in the vicinity of the temple. The temple premises also have a garden named as Gnanbaug that is in the northwest direction of the temple. There are total four plaques of Swaminarayan that have been installed in the premises of the temple.
The construction of the temple completed on 3rd November in the year 1824 and was built by Shreeji Maharaj. The one of the significance of the temple is that it is one of the biggest Swaminarayana temples.
History
As the Swaminaryan temple is built in the city of Vadtal this city is also named as Vadtal Swaminarayan. The shape of the temple is in the form of lotus that means it has nine vaults in the interiors of the temple. Joban Pagi who was a famous dacoit donated this land for the construction of temple and then later he followed the path of Swaminarayan studies. Swami S.G. Brahmanand supervised the construction of the temple.
On the day of Nirjala Ekadashi the disciples went to meet Shreeji Maharaj from Vadtal to Gadhada. Then on the twelfth day after the bright half day of Jyestha the disciples asked Swainarayan to built a temple in name of Lord Krishna in the city of Vadtal.
It was on the commands of Shreeji Maharaj that Swami Brahmanand and his supporters moved to support the construction of this temple and for this they had to leave the work that they were working on Muli temple. It just took 15 months to complete the construction of the temple and later Swami Narayan himself mounted the statue of Laxminarayan Dev on the date 3rd November in the year 1824. During the progression of this installation of the idol many chants and psalms were said. In the center of the temple stand the statues of Laxminarayan Dev and Ranchhodji. To the north of the temple are the idols of Dharmdev and Bhaktimata and his own form Harikrishna Maharaj while towards the south are the idols of Radha Krishna Dev and Hari krishna Maharaj.
Along with the idols of god installed in the center of the temple and in the south direction in the middle of temple a form of southern- sea conch was installd and an idol of Lord Vishnu also named as Shaligrama was placed. In the interior sanctum of the temple the incarnations of god made out of stone was placed along with the Sheshnaag on whose back sits the idol of Lord Vishnu.
Attraction
A mango garden is located in the east direction of the town and this is the place where Swami Narayana played the festival of colors called Holi. Another attraction of the place is the canopy that has been installed. In the southern direction is a swing that hangs on the twelve doors and Swami Narayan himself has swung on this swing.
How To Reach
By Rail
The nearest rail junction to reach Vadtal is in Anand that is well connected to major cities in the country while the Vadtal city itself has a small railway station.
By Air
The closes airport to reach Vadtal is Ahmedabad that has flights connecting from all the major airports in the country.
By Road
Vadtal is very well connected to the major cities that are part of Gujarat and local buses are easily available to reach the temple. Local rickshaws are also good option for travelling within the city.
Accomodation
The time to visit the temple is throughout the year hence the devotees can come at any time to pay their regards to Swami Laxminarayan.
Tips for Devotees
- The entry to visit the temple is free.
- Photography is allowed in the temple.
- The time to visit the temple is from 6 in morning to 9 in the evening.
- The total time to visit the entire temple campus is around 30 minutes.
Photo Gallery