Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur – Splendid Temple Complex!
Feb 2020
This marvelous piece of architecture, the first Shree Swaminarayan Temple in the world, was situated just a ten-minute walk away from our guest-house. The road leading to the temple complex has shops selling the famous namkeen (salted, deep-fried snacks) of Ahmedabad and vegetable vendors occupying both sides.
The yummy snacks must be displayed in air-tight containers.
At the entrance, huge, ornate wooden doors greet us, flanked by lamp-posts, to which two lions’ statues cling playfully! The marble temple stands majestically in the center of the huge courtyard with ground plus three storied buildings (Havelis) with brilliantly carved wooden ornamentation; on 3 sides.
The carvings on the walls and pillars of the temple are also colorful and minutely etched. Carvings of elephants, cows, celestial beings, deities, etc. are a glorious sight to behold!
The main deity's shrine of Nar Narayan Dev is flanked by shrines of other deities. At the entrance to this main temple, are two shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman. All the idols were made of marble.
We paid obeisance to all the deities, meditated awhile and stepped out to click snaps. Scores of pigeons were feeding on grain scattered all around, in the courtyard.
The mellow morning sunlight lent a yellow tinge to the entire complex and we felt very peaceful and calm.
Tourist vehicles, mainly cabs, were speedily entering the complex, non-stop.
The complex is very well-maintained but a shoe-stand must be installed there.
Some distance must be maintained between the majestic heritage site and the vendors.
We saw scooters parked right in front of the beautiful lamp-posts; and other paraphernalia obstructing the full view of the elegant facade of the temple complex.
This temple complex is surely worth a visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment