HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall Visit Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi

HRH The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi to experience India’s ageless beauty, borderless culture and timeless values.

 Prince Charles was greeted with a garland of flowers, a chandlo (vermillion powder) and the tying of the sacred kalva (sacred thread) by Atmaswarup Swami (Head Sadhu) on behalf of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj - the inspirer & creator of Swaminarayan Akshardham and Spiritual Head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was also greeted in a traditional Indian manner with the auspicious marks of welcome and goodwill by Rohini Patel, lead volunteer of BAPS Women’s Forum. 

Trustees of Swaminarayan Akshardham, Chairman of Swaminarayan Mandir in London, Jitu Patel, and other leading volunteers of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha welcomed the royal couple upon arrival.

After admiring the Mayur Dwar (Peacock Gate), the royal couple made their way to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir where they admired the world’s ‘Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple’.  Captivated by the intricate hand carvings, Prince Charles said, “I am amazed at your outstanding achievement.  I don’t remember seeing anything like this in the world! I promote revival of art and heritage and this (Swaminarayan Akshardham) is perhaps one of the most exceptional examples.” The Duchess of Cornwall also said, “This is an architectural marvel.  I cannot believe how intricate the carvings are.  How did you create all of this in five years.”

After offering respects by placing flowers at the sacred shrine and viewing the mandir’s architecture, the royal couple visited the Gajendra Pithika (Elephant Plinth) that includes 148 life-sized carved stone elephants depicting message of social harmony, peace and spirituality.  Moved by its messages, the Prince said, “The effort you have put into immortalizing them in stone is incredible. What adds value to this place is that you also provide moral, social and spiritual counseling to all the pilgrims and visitors who come here”

Commenting on the 11,000 volunteers who helped create Akshardham, Prince Charles expressed “Where can you get such dedication? His Holiness’s (Pramukh Swami Maharaj) purity and goodness and the selfless spirit of the organization (BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha) can truly inspire such creations of inspiration. I missed His Holiness today. He is truly a deeply spiritual soul, a great leader.”   

About BAPS:

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide civic and spiritual organization in Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is dedicated to community service, peace and harmony.  Motivated by Hindu principles, BAPS strives to care for the world by caring for societies, families and individuals. Through a number of civic and spiritual activities, BAPS endeavours to produce better citizens of tomorrow who have a high esteem for their roots - their rich Hindu heritage.  Its 3,300 international centres support these activities of character-building. Under the guidance and leadership of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, BAPS aspires to build a community that is morally, ethically and spiritually pure, and free of addictions.

About Pramukh Swami Maharaj:

His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, has inspired millions of people across the world to lead a God-centred, morally pure life.  As the present leader of BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj travels from village to village, continent to continent, emphasizing the importance of family harmony, community service and spiritual progress. He embodies the essence of Hindu life.  His compassion for humanity, universal wisdom and striking simplicity has touched many world religious and national leaders.