The main shrine of Shree NarNarayan Dev has principle twin idols in the form of Shree Govind, sculpted in black stone. They are installed in the holy sanctum, altar hall, in the heart of the temple facing north. Both the Chaturbhuj idols have four arms each and have weapons in the identical order in their hands. They hold conch shells in their lower hands.
Sculpted in the most symmetrical Sambhang posture (upright), the idols have a proportionate physique, narrow slim waist, broad shoulders and chest, divine face and adorned headgear each; all is most captivating. Round earrings, wristlets and bracelets, attractive necklaces and rosaries hanging down over the knees and beautiful anklets, are exquisitely engraved as a part of the costumes and ornaments. Sanakadik-snakes and some other deities in miniature size are also installed on both sides of the idols. Simhasan, (the golden throne), on which the twin idols are enshrined, is an excellent specimen of wooden and metallic art.
In garbhagriha, (the sanctum sanctorum), on the east of the altar hall the idols of Radha-Krishna Dev on the beautiful, artistic throne are installed a platform. The icon of Krishna is sculpted in black stone and that of Radha in white marble on His left.
Equally fascinating are the Bhaskarya style sculptures of winged Garuda sitting in the heroic Veermurdra posture with folded hands; a couple of cows standing, facing each other and a pair of lions. The Purna-murti style of sculptures of perfectly chiselled elephant drivers and four sadhu dwarpals (sage-sentinals) on top of the pillars of the throne and the sun, peacocks, flowers, and creepers on the arches sculpted in the Ardh-murti style also leave one spellbound.
The pillar of the dome opposite the idols has been graced by Shreeji Maharaj.
On the golden throne on the elevated platform, on the west of the garbhagriha (the sanctum sanctorum), are installed the idols of Dharma Bhakti and dwibhuj, i.e. two-armed idol of Harikrishna Maharaj in sambhang, (an upright posture).
This throne, too, embellished with glorious sculptures of artistic arches, pillars, Mandal- brackets and Bhaskarya style sculptures of saints chanting hymns with musical instruments, cows, elephants, Garuda and Ghandharvas (the celestial singers) wearing pretty garlands, are in the background.
The Sukh-Shaiyya (blessed bed of the Lord), is also set up in the inner space and there is also a Panchmukhi Shivalingram.
A huge ghumat or the hemispherical dome, is built on top of the central octagonal pavilion of the temple and smaller hemispherical domes are constructed on the three pravesh chowkies or, entrances. The golden copulas, Suvarna Kalash, are mounted on the pinnacle of each of them. This makes the façade quite fascinating. The Otta, (platform) adjoining the pillar on north of the stairs, has been graced and sanctified by Shreeji Maharaj Himself.
The shrine of Ghanesha wearing a scarlet turban in the South Indian style and Hanuman, with a set of teeth as white as pomegranate pips, are installed in devkulikas built on both sides of the Shrungar Chawki in the quadrangle. Both the idols are larger than life-size and chiselled according to the tradition of the sect.
The columns and domes of this first temple of the Sampraday, or sect, have been embellished with very artistic mandal-shilp, sculptures of dancers in a wide range and variety of postures. The damsels with musical instruments radiate and exude emotions.
These dancers are endowed with symmetrical and proportionate physique. Their artistic posture with beautiful limbs, costumes and ornaments representing local and regional culture tradition have been painted in the most wonderful colours revealing the modern technique.
Quite an artistic parapet is constructed around the columns and slabs of the temple all over. The corners of the balconies have been decorated with the artistically carved figures of tigers.
Since all the three gharbhagrihas, (sanctum sanctorum) of Shree Swaminarayan Temple are in a row, its three domes are also in one line. These domes are constructed in rectilinear Chalukya or Nagara style of architecture. Shrunagar Chawki is also the passage or pravesh chowki, the entrance of the temple. The staircase of the temple is quite simple; by climbing up one can reach the entrance. The columns of the temple are of variegated shapes and on the encircling outer pillars there are captivating Mandal-shilps – sculptures in the brackets, of dancing damsels in a variety of postures. There are decorative and semicircular Toran arches over the pillars of all three entrances in Gavaluka style.
•
Akshar Bhuvan : The Museum of Graced Objects
The three-storied new building known as Akshar Bhuvan stands on the south-eastern side of the main structure. The idol of Bal Ghanshyam Maharaj, evocative and profound emotions in white marble, is installed in the ground floor. Other objects sanctified and graced by Shreeji Maharaj have been exhibited on the ground and first floor. On the southern side there is an inn for pilgrims, today known as Shree Tejendra Bhuvan.
•
Haveli in the East
This is a two-storied haveli (mansion). On the pillars of the portico on the ground floor are engraved the captivating sculptures of animal heads, flowers and creepers which, are superb specimens of the art of woodcarving. There are stores and treasures of NarNarayan Dev on the ground floor. The sanskrit pathshala and music school are located on the first and second floors. The residence, kitchen and dining hall for brahmcharis (celibate students) are located in the backyard. The well of the inn of brahmcharis and chhatri (domed shade) where Shree Hari used to take bath, are places graced by Him. The first and second floors are used as residence for the saints.
•
The Main Haveli in North : The Three Storied Mansion
H.H. Acharya Shri Keshavprasadji Maharaj constructed this haveli in 1871.
The structure of this haveli with three stories, rest on the octagonal and square wooden pillars. The Ardh-murt relief sculpture of flowers and creepers engraved on them are quite fascinating.
Equally rich, in the art of wood carving in free hand design and the shapely Bharnai, are the angles of the pillars on which rest balconies or porches and so the projected structure, thandika, falna, etc.
Sabhamandhap, an extensive Central Hall or the congregation place (134 x 45 sq. ft.), has been constructed on the ground on sixty pillars. There are giant size madal-shilp sculptures on twelve high pillars in the front row on which rest the portico of the first floor, capture our attention with its great artistic appeal. The beautiful sculptors of flying Hanuman lifting the Devgiri mountain in His palm with His mouth open showing His teeth; a pot bellied Ghanesha wearing a scarlet turban in the South Indian style, miniature sculptures of several soldiers armed and dressed in Marathi turbans and costumes and herds of monkeys have been created on the religious tradition in the wooden sculptors. All this manifests the finest and noblest example of Gujarati art in wood.
It is believed that history of 1857 revolt on India , depicting the Rani of Jhansi and other heroes are narrated in carvings of these pillars.
Beside these artefacts, sculptures of lions and elephants, birds like peacocks and parrots and perfectly engraved leaves and flowers decorate the panels. The beams, ceilings, and lower sections are beautified by a wide of engravings and artistic sculptures and free-hand designs.
In this mansion, Acharya Maharajshri sits on the wooden seat of Shree Hari in the Congregation Hall.
On one of the two Ottas (platforms) is the Assembly Hall, Shree Hari used to serve food to the saints and sit on a chair.
The new residence of the saints, Vrajendraprasad Mahal and the dining hall for the devotees are also situated here.
• Rang Mahal : The Temple
of Mota Ghanshyam Maharaj
In the north east at the rear of the haveli there is a way leading to the temple of Mota Ghanshyam Maharaj , known as Rang Mahal. Shree Hari used to live hear on His visits to Ahmedabad.
A beautiful, pleasant and lively life-size idol of Shreeji Maharaj, carved in wood in standing sambhang position, bestowing blessings with His graceful hands, was installed here fifty years after the construction of the temple. Not only within the sect but also outside, it is one of the finest and glorious specimens of art of wood sculpting in Gujarat.
• Charanarvind (The
Holy Foot Prints) and Chhatri
In the courtyard, right in front of the Northern entrance of the temple, the replicas of Shree Hari's Footprints with the Auspicious signs and symbols are installed under a chhatri (domed seats). This chhatri is in white marble with its columns in Victorian style of architecture and decorated with the sculptures of female musicians, is an excellent example of art.
It is the same chhatri where Shree Hari had played with colours during the festival of Holi.
•
Haveli In The West
The four-storied haveli (mansion), in the western side of the main Chowk is a superb specimen of wood carved haveli, architecture and Vastu planning in Gujarat . Acharya Maharajshri Vasudevprasadji's seat is located on the first floor, a large assembly is on the second floor, and there are various rooms on the top floor.
Since this mansion was constructed as the residence of Acharya Maharajshri, it has more facilities and is decorated with chandeliers, suspended lamps and large mirrors. The brackets of the pillars of the portico and the arches in the ground floor and those of the lobbies of the first, second and third floors have been adorned with carvings in geometrical designs and a variety of flower and creeper motifs.
Engravings artistically embellish the columns and stone bases.
• Baio-ni Haveli : Temple
for Ladies
One can go to the Ladies haveli (Mansion for Woman), passing through an ornamental gate of the western mansion, the residence of the ascetic and dedicated ladies of the sect. In of the rooms of the ground floor, there is a full size wooden idol of Ghanshyam Maharaj.
Only these dedicate ladies who have renounced, and who can worship and perform religious rites and rituals live here. Since this haveli is exclusively meant for the women, there is obviously no admission for men. This is one the finest architectural creations, replete with excellent wooden carvings, the like of which are rarely found elsewhere in Gujarat.
Formerly, this haveli was occupied by the family of Acharya Maharajshri.
• Old Chhatri
: Assembly ground under the Neem Tree
Shree Hari used to sit here under the Neem Tree and address the congregation in the temple of Shree NarNarayan Dev.
• The Gateway
The central gateway of the temple is artistic and magnificent manifesting the triple confluence of local, regional and British styles of architecture and sculpture at their best.
A variety of sculptures on the Gateway reveal the adjoining Marathi and Rajasthani folk cultures and costumes. The engravings on the columns with vertical lining are in Corinthian style, whereas the coverings of the projected pavilions remind us of the Moghal architecture. The statues of the women wearing frilled blouses and petticoats and carrying their kids on their waist, depict the Gujarati women.
A pair of courageous Kathi yuts facing a tiger with swords, wearing turbans, half jackets, dhotis and waist-girdles and costumes are engraved on the arch of the gate. The relief works presenting the doorkeepers in Kathia wari costumes are also excellent examples of the contemporary sculptors of the time. Equally attractive are the two pairs of wrestlers and hunters with guns in relief work.
