The Original || Shree Swaminarayan Sampraday ||

This is the first temple of the Shri Swaminarayan Sampraday. The idols of Lord Narnarayandev in this temple have been installed by Shri Hari himself with a warm and emotion packed embrace.

Idols worshipped :
» Lord Narnarayandev (Principal God of this Desh, Centre seat)
» Lord Radhakrishna Dev. (Eastern side)
» Lord Dharmadev-BhaktiMata, Harikrishna Maharaj (Western side)
» The seat of divine pleasure. Lord Shriji Maharaj sits here.
(Photo image was made by Devotee Shri Narayanjibhai)
» Lord Balswaroop Ghanshyam Maharaj (Akshar Bhavan seat)
» Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj (Rang Mahool seat, Idol in wood)
» Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj (Haveli seat)

Date of Installation : Dt. 24-2-1882 .
The Third day of the Bright half of Falgun in V.S. 1878.

Brief History :
The land for construction of this first shrine of Swaminarayan Sampraday, was gifted by the British Government.The tremendous task of constructing this great pilgrimage place was entrusted personally by Shri Hari to S.G. Ananandand Swami.

S.G. Ananadanand Swami has arranged to have this first temple of the Shri Swaminarayan Sampradaya constructed as per scriptural norms with intricate carving in pure burma-teak and has had the temple constructed with eye catching sculptural art by depicting deities episodes, auspicious symbols and relgious icons representing axiomatic religion and Indian culture. The temple at present, is a most valuable cultural heritage in the socio-religious history of Gujarat and India.

The installation ceremony of the idols in the temple was celebrated in the presence of thousands of people from all over India, with great spendour and auspicity.

Lord Shriji Maharaj Himself had embraced the idols of Lord Narnarayandev and had helped Gods to take a seat in the heart of this first temple of the Sampraday. While standing at the threshold, opposite the majestic seat of Lord Narnarayandev, He had pronounced that Lord Narnarayandev was the Supreme Emperor of Bharat Khanda and was now residing there in the temple with all his divine majesty and divine presence. He will help and guide his devotee-follower and fulfill the wishes of the people doing a hearty darshan of him.

Besides the Gods in the main temple, Lord Shri Hari in various divine images sits in the prasadi places too. Lord Balswaroop Ghanshyam Maharaj graces Akshar Bhavan, where prasadi items of Shriji Maharaj have been displayed for darshan by the visitors and devotees. Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj graces Rang Mahol of the temple where Shriji Maharaj stayed during his Ahmedabad visits. The idol is carved in sacred wood. Shriji Maharaj had personally enlightened His devotee artist about His worldly form for the actualisation of the idol. That fortunate Margosa tree, under the shade of which, Shriji Maharaj had conducted soul stirring sessions of the spiritual discourses for his saints and devotees, presently sanctifies the devotees doing darshan of it and touching its trunk

The Haveli of the temple is the most cherished place, as it had been the offical residence of H.H. Acharya Maharaj of Shri Narnarayandev Desh. Now, the ground floor of the front side, houses the offices and the inner portion accomodates the residency of the Samkhya Yogi women. There in the inner temple, Her Holiness Shree Gadiwalla (H H Acharya Maharajshri's wife & spiritual leader of the females in the Swaminarayan Sampraday) holds religious assemblies solely for the spiritual benefit of the females. Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj resides in this temple and is served by the Sankhya Yogi female devotees.

This first temple of the Sampradaya has the constant presence of Lord Narnarayandev and Shriji Maharaj - sitting here with their divine majesty to help the followers.

Address :
Shri Swaminarayan Temple,
Kalupur, Ahmedabad-380 001. Gujarat State, India
Phone : (079) 2132170