Mumbai has hundred of temples all devoted to different Gods and Goddesses. One such temple located in one of the busy localities of Mumbai is the Swaminarayan Temple.
The Swaminarayan temple, is located in the Bhuleshwar area of Mumbai and it is easily identified by the triple spiral shaped structure at the top of the temple. The idols installed here are that of Hari Krishna Maharaj, Radha, Laxminaryan Dev, Ghanshyam Maharaj, and Gaulokvihari .
The temple was built by Acharya Laxmiprasad Maharaj in 1903 AD. The temple has 25 steps, leading to the audience hall. There are shrines dedicated to Ganesha and Hanuman on the left and right side of the audience hall. Over the audience hall, is a dome where the scenes from the “Krishnalila epic”, has been painted, and the dome is supported by 54 pillars.
The Swaminarayan Cult is a socio - spiritual Hindu organization, with over 20 million followers worldwide by the year 2000. The followers of Swaminarayan think that their, "Guru", is the manifestation of “Narayan”, the Supreme Being.
Swaminarayan’s followers follow the “Vachanamrut”. This book contains views of moral conduct, understanding of the material pleasures and pure selfless devotion for God, the 4 basic tenets of Hinduism and the criteria for the soul to attain salvation. Swaminarayan proclaimed the worship of one sole deity that is Krishna or Narayan.
The Swaminarayan temple, is located in the Bhuleshwar area of Mumbai and it is easily identified by the triple spiral shaped structure at the top of the temple. The idols installed here are that of Hari Krishna Maharaj, Radha, Laxminaryan Dev, Ghanshyam Maharaj, and Gaulokvihari .
The temple was built by Acharya Laxmiprasad Maharaj in 1903 AD. The temple has 25 steps, leading to the audience hall. There are shrines dedicated to Ganesha and Hanuman on the left and right side of the audience hall. Over the audience hall, is a dome where the scenes from the “Krishnalila epic”, has been painted, and the dome is supported by 54 pillars.
The Swaminarayan Cult is a socio - spiritual Hindu organization, with over 20 million followers worldwide by the year 2000. The followers of Swaminarayan think that their, "Guru", is the manifestation of “Narayan”, the Supreme Being.
Swaminarayan’s followers follow the “Vachanamrut”. This book contains views of moral conduct, understanding of the material pleasures and pure selfless devotion for God, the 4 basic tenets of Hinduism and the criteria for the soul to attain salvation. Swaminarayan proclaimed the worship of one sole deity that is Krishna or Narayan.
Saga of Swaminarayan
Swaminarayan is also known as Sahajanand Swami, and is the central figure in the Vaishnavism sect of Hinduism. Swaminarayan’s original name was Ghanshyam Pande, and he was born in Chhapaiya in the state of Uttar Pradesh in the year 1781.He settled in Gujarat and later was transformed as “Uddhav Sampraday” by his Guru, Shri Ramanand Swami who entitled him with the name, "Sahajanand Swami".
Sahajanand Swami held a gathering and taught the “Swaminarayan mantra”, to his disciples. From this point onwards he was known as Swaminarayan, and within the sect he is regarded as an incarnation of God. He built 6 temples in his lifetime and appointed 500 paramhansas or disciples to spread his philosophy.
In 1826 he wrote a book titled, “Shikshapatri”, a set of social principles to be adhered by his followers. He died on 1st June, 1830. He performed massive fire sacrifices or yagnas to propagate his views and performed miracles. He was against animal sacrifices, so all his yagnas, were according to “Vedic principles”. He followed a pious and a simple lifestyle and encouraged his followers also to do the same.
Sahajanand Swami held a gathering and taught the “Swaminarayan mantra”, to his disciples. From this point onwards he was known as Swaminarayan, and within the sect he is regarded as an incarnation of God. He built 6 temples in his lifetime and appointed 500 paramhansas or disciples to spread his philosophy.
In 1826 he wrote a book titled, “Shikshapatri”, a set of social principles to be adhered by his followers. He died on 1st June, 1830. He performed massive fire sacrifices or yagnas to propagate his views and performed miracles. He was against animal sacrifices, so all his yagnas, were according to “Vedic principles”. He followed a pious and a simple lifestyle and encouraged his followers also to do the same.
The major festivals which are celebrated in this temple are Ram Navami, Janmastmi, Swaminaryana Jayanti, Mahasivratri, Ganesh festival, Nrishina Jayanti and the festival of Hindola, which is celebrated in the month of “Shravan”, in the Hindu calendar.
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Also Read: Jain Temples in Mumbai | Bhimashankar Temple | Iskcon Temple | Mahalakshami Temple | Siddhivinayak Temple | Temples in Mumbai | Balaji Temple in Mumbai | Trimbakeshwar TempleWebsite: https://www.baps.org/
