Greetings from Faridabad, South of Delhi, India.
On Sunday past, I was taken by my new friend, Indira, an Indian lady living in the UK. She is taking the well-being/healing treatments. We went to Delhi, the experience of which I have previously shared with you. We met with Agata, a young Polish girl, who had been on an Ayurveda and Beauty course here at Faridabad, and now was to meet her frine, and together they planned to travel and visit the holy places.
So, the three of us went by taxi to Akshardham Temple.
Over two hundred years ago, a young boy age 11 left his family and walked 12,000 kilometers around India. It seems he was enlightened, for no-one state of consciousness would enable a human to endure what he did. The stories of what folk lore is made of, except this is all true. I had no idea what this was.
We arrived at the temple site located adjacent to a highway on a 100 acre site. I beheld a sight of such magnificence, that is difficult to put into words, Follow me on this journey, and I will do my best.
About two hundred years ago, a young Indian boy, named Neelkanth (1781-1830) left home one night at age 11 yrs. He bade his sleeping family goodbye as he embarked upon a journey to follow his destiny. I believe he was already enlightened. To be sure he would not be followed he plunged into the roaring river Ganges and emerged wherever the river brought him. He then walked about 12,000 kilometers throughout India, demonstrating his knowledge and wisdom. He was dressed only in the native skirt-type attire, bare feet and bare torso. In this state he climbed the Himalaya mountains, walking in the snow, unaffected, where he stayed for about 4 or 5 years. Eventually, he arrived in the Sate of Gujarat on the West coast, South of Mumbai (Bombay), where he became the spiritual leader of the community.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th uru of this tradition, founded in Love and Compassion, inaugurated the temple, Swaminarayan Akshardam in November, 2005. The complete site is reputed to be the largest temple of its kind in the world. Every square inch/centimeter is carved on the temple and all the surrounding buildings, in red and white sandstone. I understand that not a nail has been used. Inside the temple is marble. The temple was built in 5 years, which is another miracle.
The complex comprises the main temple, imposing as it is, and even more so when it is lit up at night. The 10 gates, representing the then principal gates in Indian Culture, The Bhakti Dwar – The gate of devotion, with 208 sculptured forms of God and His Devotee adorn this splendid gate. There is the Mayur Dwar, the two gates of which are adorned by 869 sculptured peacocks, the national bird of India. The Mandivar is the external wall (mandovar) of the monument, and is 611 feet long, 25 feet high, comprising 4,287 carved stones, and includes 48 carved figures of Ganesh, and 200 carved figures of India’s great rishis (holy men). The Gajendra Peeth is what the monument/temple rests upon, and which comprises 148 sculptured elephants, and many other sculptures of people, animals and birds, as they form a story, which unfolds as you walk along it. This alone weighs more than 3,000 tons. Then there are the colored fountains with music and a boat ride. I attended the 40 minute film which dramatized Neelkanth”s journey, and (viewed) the various other form of story depictions.
This is but a humble attempt to describe the indescribable. Never have I seen such beauty and architectural harmony in something so large, so grand. I am told that there are even more buildings/temples around India. Hard to imagine, but I intend to see as much as I can.
While at the temple, I was affected by the energy of the structure and the people. My heart opened and I was out of body feeling such love. I was in such an altered state that someone came up to me and asked if I was OK. This was during a group puja (ritual ceremony) that was performed by all present to honor the achievements of Neelkanth.
It was now 9pm. Where did the day go. We hurriedly ate some food, and started the journey back to Faridabad. This was all in the first week of being in India. I am so grateful.
…You will see at the top of the (home page of this blog) a picture of the Akshardham Temple. I understand that there is one in UK and several in the USA, which I never knew. All propound love and compassion as a way of life.
And so I am settling more. The weather is unsettled today, a little cool, in fact, as it changes to being much warmer. I have been feeling a little “off” for a few days, as I am releasing much. I will go to the local market and get some more appropriate clothes, which I will describe in my next letter.
To all of you, thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you. You honor me greatly.
With love and compassion from India.
Tony
