THE MAKING OF THE NEW TEMPLE
The Uniqueness of the Swaminarayan Fellowship
Through the inspiration of Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan, and the power of Bhuj Saints and Bhaktos from all over the world, a magnificent temple has been constructed using traditional Vedic architectural methods, on the banks of Hamirsar Lake. Since its first brick installation ceremony on 7 May 2003, it has taken 7 years for its completion. Based on a grand podium, the new temple faces East and is constructed mainly with pure high quality marble.
Expanding a 35,000 sq. feet area, this Temple has 7 sky touching pinnacles. It consists of one central dome, 25 minor domes and 258 pillars. The peripheries, which are beautifully carved into the icy marble of Makrana and Ambaji, give it heavenly beauty, serenity and the divine approach to the temple.
Deities to reside in the mandir
The Deities, will be installed in the New Bhuj Temple as follows:
| Shrine |
Deity |
Type of Idol |
Pratistha Date |
| South |
Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj |
White |
20 April 1942 |
| Middle |
Shree Nar-Narayan Dev |
Black |
15 May 1827 |
| |
Shri Harikrishna Maharaj |
Golden |
6 March 1867 |
| North |
Shri Radhakrishna Dev |
Golden |
21 April 1911 |
| South Sukhshayya |
Shri Sahajanand Swami |
Picture |
09 Oct 1848) |
| North Sukhshaiya |
Shri Dharma-Bhakti-Nilkanth |
Picture |
18 May 2010 |
| Parikrama South |
Shri Suryanarayan |
|
|
|
Shri Ram parivar |
|
|
| Parikrama North |
Shri Shesh Shayi Vishnu |
|
|
|
Shri Shiv Parivar |
|
|
| North Entry |
Shri Hanuman |
|
|
| South Entry |
Shri Ganesh |
|
|
Facts & Figures
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Total duration for completion: 7 years
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Total time devoted: 600 sculptors and thousands of devotees spending in total over 15 million hours
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Total stone: 1,26,000 cubic feet marble in which:
-
82,000 c.f - Makrana Marble
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44,000 c.f. – Ambaji Marble
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Total weight: 12,600 tons
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Dimensions: Total area: 35,000 sq. ft. Length: 223 ft. Width: 158 ft. Height: 80 ft.
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Total Pillars: 218, in which 156 are carved
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Total Ceiling (carved): 108
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Total Beams: 360, Carved: 156
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Total Steps: 26, three-side entry staircases
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Garbh Gruh (Inner Temple): 11
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Total Pinnacles (shikhars): 7, Height of main shikhar: 58 ft.
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Total Domes: 1 Central and 24 others
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Total Samaran: 4
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Total Arches: 223
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Total idols: 64 consisting of - 10 avtaar, 12 digpal, 19 devi-devta, 9 grah, 14 vyaal.
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Parikrama length: 500 ft.
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Golden Kalash: 25, the biggest: 8 ft. - the smallest: 6 inch.
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Main Dhvaj Dand (flag stick): 12.5 ft. long.
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Concrete stuff at base:
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Pink stone: 1,06,455 c.f.
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Sand: 1,01,450 c.f.
-
Concrete-gravel: 35,100 c.f.
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Fire proof bricks: 1,61,000 pieces
In addition to the physical work carried out by many volunteers, devotees around the globe also performed uncountable devotion and austerities. This has included the recitation of scriptures, the chanting and writing of the Swaminarayan mantra, meditation, dandvat, pradikshina, fasting and many more.