Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur

Shree Swaminarayan Temple ("Architecture at Ahmedabad, the Capital of Goozerat, photographed by Colonel Biggs, ... With an historical and descriptive sketch, by T. C. H, ... and architectural notes by J. Fergusson, etc")

     

Shree Swaminarayan Temple

Krishna Pillai · SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR MANGAL AARTI

The Oxford Dictionary defines Heritage as ‘the history, traditions, buildings and objects that a country or society has had for many years and that are considered an important part of its character’. Heritage is an important part of us that shapes our habits and our thought processes. Hence, preserving and conserving heritage is vital. In recent times, the importance of conserving heritage in a digital form has been realized. If we conserve heritage by way of

software, apps, audio, texts, images, etc. we can keep cultural artefacts intact and safe from destructive factors such as wars, floods, earthquakes, fires, etc.

Soundscapes are one way by which we can record and preserve the sounds of a heritage site. Ahmedabad, being a World Heritage City has numerous sites of cultural importance. By way of soundscapes and images, these unique heritage sites can be conserved. 

Given here is the Mangala Aarti that takes place every morning at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur in Ahmedabad. Constructed nearly 200 years ago, this temple is the first Swaminarayan Temple ever established. It is even more special as Swaminarayan Bhagavan Himself was involved in its proceedings. The history of the Swaminarayan Temple goes back to the time of British rule. The land on which the temple is situated was gifted by the British. They were attracted by the simple, genial and humble ascetics of the Swaminarayan sect and hence came to their aid. The land was initially given to them for 99 years. However, when Swaminarayan Bhagavan refused to take it, fearing potential issues later, special permission was granted from the officials in London. Thus, the sect got custody of the land for as long as the Sun and the Moon shine.

Intricate arches of the temple

The Swaminarayan Temple is a special part of Ahmedabad's Heritage. The temple is a shrine of NarNarayan- Lord Krishna and Arjun. Aartis take place at regular intervals throughout the day. The Mangala aarti is one where the deity is awakened early in the morning. An aarti bhajan is sung by devotees accompanied by musical instruments. This temple has five aartis throughout the day- Mangala aarti (morning aarti), Shringaar aarti(aarti after dressing up the idol), Rajbhog aarti (aarti while making offerings), Sandhya aarti (aarti in the evening) and Shayan aarti (aarti that is sung before night-time to put the deity to sleep).

At the Swaminarayan Temple, the people greet each other by saying 'Jay Swaminarayan!'. A major event at the temple is the annual Pathotsav. The Pathotsav is celebrated on Faagun 3- the date when the Pratishtha was installed. This year, the Pathotsav- which fell on 5th March-was celebrated with more pomp as it was the 200 year anniversary of the temple.

Idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj

As per the Dharmic ideologies, there are separate spaces for male and female yogis. There are separate dwellings for both. There is a Haveli at the temple where the Sankhya Yogis- women-celibates live. They have their own smaller temple inside where there is a shrine of Gadiwalla. Women gather here at aarti times after the aarti at the main temple. In the mornings, many of those gathered here engage in seva by helping keep the Haveli clean. Many also help out by making flower garlands for use in the temple. 

Interior of the temple

Temple pillar

The Mangala Aarti of Swaminarayan Temple starts at 5:30 A.M. The aarti is preceded by chanting done by the priests and the devotees. The aarti is done for Nar-Narayan Bhagavan, Harekrushna Maharaj and for Radha-Krishna. Devotees join in singing the aarti bhajan. This recording is of the Mangala Aarti of the Swaminarayan Temple. Essentially, this aarti is for awakening the deity of the temple and is the very first aarti of the day.

The Swaminarayan Temple is special, not just for its religious merits but also for its architectural wonders. The temple building is filled with intricate carvings and splendid arches. There are images of the First War of Independence depicted here. Essences of Marathi, Rajasthani and British styles and designs can be seen here.

Temple gate

A pillar of the temple

           

The Shree Swaminarayan Temple is a temple frequently visited by the people belonging to the Swaminarayan sect. Its significance is even more as it was a place frequented by Swaminarayan Bhagavan Himself. Apart from being a place of devotion, the temple is also a citadel of great craftsmanship and lifelong traditions and hence is a place of much reverence. 

Source: The history of the temple is given as narrated by a Sankhya Yogi Bai.