Hari Mandapam - The Main Floor:

This Sanctum Sanctorum is the Center of Faith, the most sacred part of Akshardham. It enshrines the Murtis of Lord Swaminarayan and His successors. People come forth to pray and return with faith. The feeling is unique. Amidst ornate holy carvings and peaceful surroundings, this sanctum sanctorum houses the murtis of Lord Swaminarayan and His Successors which provide a heavenly experience.

Concept of Composition:

The centerpiece of the monument is spiritually sacred, philosophically perfect and aesthetically exceptional. It is composed of three murtis (idols) which relates to the only three realities that exist in Akshardham - the supreme abode of God. The three realities are: 1. Parabrahman: Lord Swaminarayan, the God Supreme. 2. Aksharbrahman: Gunatitanand Swami, God’s divine abode. 3. Aksharmuktas: The countless redeemed souls, symbolically represented by Gopalanand Swami.

While the supreme God, Lord Swaminarayan sits in the center, both Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami stand in eternal service. Lord Swaminarayan's face radiates peace and His hand gestures - fearlessness through the right palm and compassion through the left. The other two Murtis reflect devotional feelings of Swami-sevakbhav - Master-disciple relationship. Akshardham is filled with divine light which is cool and peaceful. Parabrahman, Aksharbrahman and the Aksharmuktas have identical divine forms - bright and resplendent. Thus all three Murtis have been leafed in pure gold.

The highest experience of this spiritual composition is the divine gaze of Lord Swaminarayan. Everything - distance, angle and focus - has been so beautifully sculptured and oriented that the gaze falls directly upon the visitors. In Swaminarayan philosophy it is believed that creation begins by the gaze of Lord Swaminarayan and salvation is also granted by the grace of His gaze. And hence, the Lord always keeps His devotees under His divine vision.

Idol Installation Ceremony:

The idol installation ceremony was performed on Labh Pancham, 30 October 1992 CE. Until now, the idols were statues created by a sculptor. Now, they would become Murtis, purified and infused with divinity at the hands of the Enlightened Guru. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, along with senior sadhus and eminent devotees performed the ceremony with Vedic rituals. Brahmin pundits chanted the mantras, sacrificial fires were lit, rhythmic verses were sung, and the arti was performed. Finally, Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed the gathering and two days later opened the doors of the Monument to all on 2 November 1992 CE, with these words,
"The Murti is exactly the same as the Lord in the divine abode Akshardham. There is not an iota of difference."