Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace

Sama

just an FYI, sent to me from a friend:

"After 5 years of non-stop, round-the-clock construction, the massive and awesome Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace was inaugurated today. The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, India, constructed by the BAPS foundation -- the builders of the various Swaminaryan Temples across the world, is truely a modern day Wonder of the World.

It is one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. Combining several completely different and contrasting architectural styles of Hindu temple architecture of northern India -- Rajasthani, Orrisan, Gujarati, Mughal and Jain -- the Akshardham Monument is entirely constructed of marble and the red-sandstone that Delhi is famous for, and that so many of her monuments are constructed of. It was completed in only 5 years a world record of sorts

So after years of waiting, the Temple was yesterday opened to the public -- and to photographers. Below is the New Delhi Akshardham Complex.
At its inaguration, it is widely being heralded as one of the greatest monuments India has ever produced.

Monument of Akshardham
Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.

The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble. It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of India's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities.

The monument is a fusion of several architectural styles of pink stone and pure white marble. Pink stone symbolizes bhakti (devotion) in eternal bloom and white marble of absolute purity and eternal peace. The monument was built after over 300 million man hours of services rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus and artisans.

It is the one of the wonders of the modern world, and the wonders of modern India."

Attached Thumbnails

       

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sama: Pali/Sanskrit: that state of consciousness which reflects neither attachment nor aversion

cyberhippie

It is a truly amazing new structure Yogagal and a symbol of the pervading history of the artisans of India.

I just got the pictures a couple of days ago and thought, "wow where was the world when this was being built!"

Another wonderful attraction of Delhi, I think I'll try to catch it next time around!

raos

I am going to get flamed for this one but here goes: I was driving past that monstrosity on a daily basis and flinching at the fact that we were spending millions of rupees on a temple. Does India need ANOTHER temple? That money could very well be spent on building several hospitals, schools, public housing, and the list can go on. Right past the temple, there are miles of slums on both sides of the highway. The settlement is called Pandav Nagar and it is one of the largest in Delhi. People in Pandav Nagar don't have sanitation,there is no running water and, during summer, fires are common. India does not need another temple for its salvation, it needs to take care of its poor. Akshardham is a blight on India's efforts at modernization.

Nick-H

You're right, Raos ...but does India need another shopping mall, and I'm sure there are plenty of those being built!

I guess those of us with money are going to go on spending it on houses, cars, restaurants, hotels, flight tickets, temples etc while others in the world have nothing.

But anyway, it does look magnificent ---and I guess that the building of it must have employed many people and helped to keepmany skills alive.

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Sama

raos, you should see the BAPS temple that was built near me. VERY ostentatious, imported stone from India and brought in India stone cutters. I've been told it is the largest Hindu temple in North America, and built via many donations and free labor. On the other end of the spectrum is a Balaji temple near me, South Indian, and humble in comparison to the BAPS temple.

You raise a very good point, but who will keep people from building more temples?

AvidTrekker

I agree. Completely and totally.

Just think for a moment... isn't temple building better than partying? How many of us have actually paused to think [that i'll donate this amount for a cause?] before we party? Be honest.

As an argument it goes against the grain of democratic freedom that we value so dearly. Can we really dictate to anyone how to spend their money? Are we not ourselves guilty of spending money foolishly and extravagantly?

People buy flashy clothes, flashy cars, all beyond the necessity level. No one donates this money for slum rehab. The thought doesn't occur.

Just putting a perspective on different views.... it is soooo easy to point fingers, but sooooo difficult to do it yourself.... even in a small way.

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sudheer poppa

Just to save the trouble of googling here is their webpage

http://www.akshardham.com/

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phantom

Preserving and propagating your cultural heritage is part of the development of a society. How many structures have india built post-independence that can humble you. It seems like we have forgotten that part of the life altogether in our search of food, water and house. 50 yrs. post independence and we still havent build any memorial for those killed in war. Just some days back I read in some newspaper about one such structure coming up in central Delhi. Why do you think, there is a race for the tallest building in the world. These are the things that flame the pride in the place we live in. If you are not proud of something, you are not going to respect it and take care of it.
Even I was critical of the massive temple, when i used to drive past it on the way to office. But if you read about it. So many magnificent sculptors have got work for the couple of years, the art which is dying these days. So many daily workers have got their bread because of this temple. The poverty of India could not be eradicated by some millions. but if those millions are trickling down to the daily wager, then its a good sign, dont you think so ??

soulfood

Well said, Phantom.

somari

Well said Phantom!!

Man does not live by bread alone. Culture is very much a part of our lives. Quite a few people here have been to places in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamilnadu etc where there are a lot of big beautiful temples. Sometimes, I feel that that our artisans have lost their skills which used to be passed on from generation to generation earlier. However, Akshardham has proven me wrong. This is Indian art/architecture. Art and culture doesn't belong to only the rich countries.

And even temple building is an economic activity. The numerous people employed to build the temple, the people employed to maintain it, the auto and taxi drivers bringing people to the temple, the sellers of fruits and flowers, and the list goes on. And it will last for years. Just look at the people employed in places like Hampi, Belur, Halebid, Jaisalmer, Puri etc.

People will always complain that the money can be put to better use. Like others said before, why do people need 36" TVs, big SUVs, good home theater systems, large houses etc? Why can't they make do with 25" TV, compact car, small house etc and donate the money to poor people? Why do people travel from country to country? They might as well donate the money saved for travel to the poor and just browse the web to learn about other countries

rangss

Each to his/her own....there is no point in quoting a socialist note for everything....it doesn't just work out.

Else we would all be questioning every rupee spent and living by the most frugal means, donating every extra rupee in hand to a good or important cause. That way all we would have is endless rows of shanties with barely dressed people living in it, working 10 hours a day eating two square meals consisting of dry roti and a bland curry, no TV, no Air conditioner, walking or cycling around; no toothpaste, no cell phones, certainly no computers....think of it, where would you draw a line...and who is to decide where to draw one?

Chill out. As I started...each to his/her own...

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randomviolins

Somari, I don't entirely agree: people actually could make do with smaller, less costly tv's, smaller cars, etc. But traveling is different. It puts you right smack in the middle of things, an experience that is completely different from hearing about a place or seeing it in a photo. You can't smell the spices frying in a pan at the roadside, or taste the freshly-peeled fruit, or feel the jostle of the crowds and the sting of sand blowing in your eyes by watching a video of someone else's trip. And most important, the interactions you have with people you meet in your travels can change how you see the world and what you do in it. Ideally for the better.