November 6 2005, New Delhi
A temple that breathes life into stone
Times News Network
New Delhi
If you think that the ancient art of putting life into stone is long dead in India, this mesmerising pink sandstone and white marble wonder might change your view.
Set on the banks of the Yamuna, the mammoth campus of Akshardham will finally be thrown open for public viewing from November 8 after being inaugurated by the President and Prime Minister on November 6.
A splendid ornate specimen, the Akshardham is much more than just a temple. Said to be a celebration of the past, embracement of the present and frame of the future, every part of the massive campus has a legend to it.
The campus also has a Disneyland kind of 12-minute boat ride to make visitors sail through the vast magnitude of Indian culture. Models of Ajanta and Ellora caves and thematic settings of our glorious culture have been brought to life through dummy depictions.
Colour Photo: Akshardham at Night

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Biggest temple ready for devotees, visitors
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, November 5
The last statue has been installed, the last elephant carved and the last pillar polished.
Over five years, more than 7,000 sculptors put chisel to stone day and night in an epic-like effort to complete the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, which will be inaugurated on Sunday.
The pink sandstone-and-white marble structure, which takes its name from the Akshardham Temple in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar, is the largest temple complex and one of the major landmarks in the Capital.
Sitting on over 100 acres on the banks of the Yamuna, the vastu shastra-inspired structure has huge stone-carvings and pillars.
Colour Photo: View of Akshardham Monument from Premvati showing Yogihriday and Parikrama

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Akshardham opens Tuesday
Sonia Sarkar
New Delhi
It is a perfect blend of the traditional stone art and architecture with contemporary and modern technology. The 100-acre complex of Swaminarayan Akshardham is a place where the ancient values and timeless spirituality are parallel with the modern thoughts.
The perfect combo of pink sandstone and white marble gives a magnificent look to the 141 ft high and 316 ft wide main monument.
With 234 ornately carved pillars and nine domes portraying the lives of deities and avatars, the sanctum sanctorum consists of the 11-ft high statue of Bhagwan Swami Narayan made of five dhaatu (metal) and gold plated. The complex also has brass statues of Lakshmi-Narayan, Shiv-Parvati, Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram.
Finally there is a spectacular boat ride, a journey to the world’s oldest vedic village and bazaar and a sail through Takshashila, world’s first university. It will take you on a journey about the scientific discoveries and inventions of rishis and scientists of India and witness the miracles of Sushruta, the father of plastic surgery.
Colour Photo: Akshardham at Night

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Akshardham temple at its majestic best
Statesman News Service
New Delhi, November 5
The Akshardham Swaminarayan temple complex is all set to embrace devotees from around the country with its inaugural ceremony to be held tomorrow. Adding yet another tourist destination to the Capital, the architectural marvel oversees the banks of the Yamuna.
Rising on the shoulders of 148 huge elephants, the temple structure is dotted with stories from epics with an 11 feet tall statue of Lord Swaminarayan presiding over the structure. The theme of temple is to respect all living creatures – the basis of Swaminarayan’s teachings. At every corner, thoughts of the saint are inscribed, which ask for spreading peace and harmony.
Temple authorities said they want the temple to be a place of education, experience and enlightenment rather than just a pilgrim centre. “This temple complex showcases India at its best with revived Indian culture and art forms,” they added.
Colour Photo: View of Swaminarayan Akshardham monument from Akshardham Setu

(Translated version)
November 6 2005, New Delhi
President and Prime Minister will open Akshardham Mandir today
NBT News
New Delhi, November 5
After five years of round the clock efforts Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is ready for opening. President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will officially inaugurate the mandir on Sunday. From 8 November the temple will be opened for public.
Visitors will have an opportunity to see the glorious heritage of ancient Indian art, culture and science inside the large mandir, built on 100-acres of land. The mandir authorities said that the traditional Indian architects claim that it would have taken around 45 to 50 years to complete such a giant temple. However, because of hard work by volunteers and devotees it was ready within a record time of 5 years.
Colour photo: Akshardham monument with Parikrama and Yogihriday

November 6 2005, New Delhi
A unique monument of art and devotion resting on 148 elephants
New Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham spread in 100-acres, on the banks of Yamuna, is a unique confluence of Indian architecture and culture. The mandir complex is full of sculptures based on traditional Indian architecture and each and every stone speaks about Indiaglorious heritage. President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam will inaugurate it on 6 November for public.
Inside the Akshardham complex are exhibitions, namely, Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan, Bharat Upvan and Sanskruti Vihar – a boat ride where the 10,000 year old Indian Vedic culture is shown in a beautiful way. Blue, pink and yellow lotus inside the eight-side kund adds flair to this beautiful monument. Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Akshardham monument believes: ‘In the good of other lies our own’.
Colour photo: Akshardham monument with Parikrama and Yogihriday

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Delhi Akshardham – A unique centre of Indian art, culture and sights
Bhaskar News
New Delhi, November 5
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a name which is going to be added to the series of prominent historical places in the city like Red Fort, Kutub Minar, President’s House, Parliament House, Jama Masjid and others. A complex developed as a unique combination of Indian art, culture, traditions and modern technology, built on 100-acres of land on the banks of river Yamuna in east Delhi will be on the tourist map from today onwards.
Main page colour photo: Akshardham monument with Parikrama and Yogihriday.

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham will be inaugurated today. President and Prime Minister will take part.
For devotees it will be opened after two days.
Jagran Correspondent
Eastern Delhi
The doors to the magnificent Swaminarayan Akshardham mandir on the banks of Yamuna will be open for public on Tuesday. Built at a cost of Rs 200 crore, a matchless centre of Indian art, science and traditions will be inaugurated today. President APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will take part in the grand opening of Akshardham Mahotsav. Many well-known dignitaries will also take part.
Built in five years on 100-acres land, Swaminarayan Akshardham mandir is a unique centre of Indian art, science and literature.
Main page colour photo: Night view of Akshardham

November 6 2005, New Delhi
President Kalam will visit Akshardham today
Amar Ujala Bureau
New Delhi
Within five years and with the aid of 7,000 craftsmen Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has established a unique Religious and Cultural centre in the Capital. The magnificent Akshardham mandir on the banks of Yamuna beautifully showcases the ancient Indian art, culture and tradition. Carvings done on white marble and pink sandstone from Rajasthan give a magnificent look to Bhagwan Swaminarayan mandir. Sahajanand, Neelkanth Darshan, and a scenic experience of Sanskruti Vihar through a boat ride are the centre of new attractions for Delhites. The combination of melodious music and colourful lights all around the monument attracts everyone.
Main page colour photo: Night view of Akshardham

November 6 2005, New Delhi
Amazing and Memorable Akshardham
Rakesh Shukla
New Delhi
Akshardham mandir built in Delhi is a unique cultural combination of Indian Vastu and architecture. As soon as one enters the complex one feels as if one has reached in a spiritual era. Sound of Vedic music in a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere, trees shrouded with flowers, walls made of ancient sculptures, all these look as if it is an introduction to Indian architecture.
Akshardham mandir in reality is a school where one gets the lessons of culture, love and discipline. Spread across 100-acres, this glorious complex, incorporates Veda as well as Science. The mandir is divided in to three sections. The first section is about Sanskruti Darshan where a 12-minute boat ride introduces one to the Vedic traditions and culture of ancient India. Efforts have been made to replicate the agriculture in the Vedic era, education and method of medicinal cures by its founder Charak, Aryabhatt, Bharatmuni, Acharya Kanad, Yogacharya Patanjali and the laboratory of Astronomist Varahmihir.
Colour Photo: Bhagwan Swaminarayan with guru Parampara

November 7 2005, New Delhi
City gets another landmark
Virendra Singh/HT
New Delhi,
Show-stopper
The 100-acre Akshardham complex on the banks of Yamuna will be yet another architectural landmark in the city. The 141-feet-high temple rises on the shoulders of 148 stone elephants and the entire temple structure is quake-resistant
Five years of hard work
It took 7,000 artisans, 4,000 volunteers and a Supreme Court judgement throwing out a Public Interest petition to build the complex in five years.
Money matters
The complex was built at a cost of around Rs 2 billion
Special features
A recreated rainforest of Assam, a giant screen film and a 60-acre garden are some of the features of the complex. A 12-minute boat ride takes visitors to these spots.
Sacred spots
Adjacent to the main temple is a large pond with 2,870 steps for prayers. The complex is surrounded by a lotus-filled lake, containing waters from 151 holy rivers visited by Lord Swaminarayan.
Colour Photo: Akshardham inauguration programme

November 7 2005 (New Delhi)
Akshardham symbolises peace: PM
Times News Network
New Delhi
The City has a brand new landmark in Akshar-
dham temple for people to marvel at, standing tall in the east of Delhi. On Sunday, President APJ Abdul Kalam dedicated the Akshardham temple and cultural complex to public in a glittering ceremony marked by recitation of religious hymns and dance performances.
The imposing sandstone temple complex marks the celebration of Indian civilisation and unity in diversity, a message symbolised, in a way, by the sharing of the dais by a Muslim President, a Sikh PM and a hardline Hindutva leader LK Advani at the function.
Spread over 100 acres on the eastern banks of Yamuna, the temple has been built by Swaminarayan Sanstha which also runs the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar.
Complimenting the 7,000 craftsmen who built the temple in a record time of five years, the President said, “The use of technology for creation of this marvel gives me the confidence that realisation of the dream of a developed India is possible before 2020.
“Spiritual enlightenment and economic development are the keys to nation building,” he added. PM Singh hoped that the inauguration of the temple would mark the beginning of a new era in religious tolerance and “spread the message of peace and communal harmony in the world.”
“Ours is a country of unity in diversity. This is the ideal preached by Swaminarayan which even influenced the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.
Former deputy PM LK Advani complimented the Swaminarayan Sanstha’s volunteers for their dedicated effort for creating a “unique wonder of the world.”
Colour Photo: Akshardham inauguration programme

November 7 2005 (New Delhi)
Capital’s Akshardham open to public from Tuesday
Express News Service
New Delhi (November 6)
BUILT on the banks of the Yamuna, India’s biggest temple complex, the Akshardham, was today inaugurated by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Opposition Leader L.K. Advani and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the leader of Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
The PM lauded the efforts of the craftsmen and said, “not only does the structure speak volumes about the skills of those who built it but also speaks volumes of our cultural heritage. And it indeed is remarkable that the architects of modern India have been able to keep the heritage alive.”
Photo: Pramukh Swami Maharaj, President Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and L.K. Advani

November 7 2005 (New Delhi)
Kalam praises efforts of Akshardham designers
Staff Reporter
New Delhi
The sprawling and majestic Akshardham Temple Complex, which has come up on a 100 acre plot on the banks of the Yamuna here, was inaugurated by President A.P.J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a glittering ceremony on Sunday night.
In his address, the President lauded the efforts of “the designers and contributors from India and abroad for creating such an architectural complex, which every Indian will be proud of.” Stating that he felt as if he was “in another world”, Dr. Kalam said on entering the Akshardham Cultural Complex,
Stating that what is being seen is the birth of the Akshardham, the civilisational heritage of India in dynamic form, the President also recalled his first meeting with Pramukh Swami Maharaj in June 2001 and narrated how then the spiritual leader had shown him the architectural design of the Delhi Swaminarayan Akshardham Cultural Complex and expressed his vision.
“Today that complex is now in front of us,” he said, adding that Swami Maharaj and his team of dedicated disciples have recreated the ancient civilizational heritage that had been seen only in theory so far, into a reality with technology. “It brings a new dimension of the entire ancient Indian cultural heritage under one roof.”
Dr Singh, in his speech, commended the architectural marvel that the complex is and noted that it would be counted as one of the important landmarks of Delhi.
He also mentioned how Swaminarayan had also spread the message of unity and sought to remove discrimination which even inspired Mahatma Gandhi to give the message of humanity to the world.
Photo: Pramukh Swami Maharaj, President Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and L.K. Advani

November 7 2005 (New Delhi)
Akshardham temple opens
Statesman New Service
New Delhi ( November 6)
The much awaited inaugural of Swaminarayan Akshardham monument was carried out today in a glittering ceremony.
Complimenting the significance of the monument as a fusion of science and spirituality working towards the betterment of the nation, the President of India Dr Abdul Kalam presented a self-composed poem titled The Mother Embraces Her Children at the ceremony.
The monument provides an opportunity to understand and appreciate ancient Indian culture and heritage all under one roof. “Commendable efforts of craftsmen and workers make mankind realise the power of knowledge, ability, strength and willpower of humans,” the President said.
“In the coming days this architectural marvel will be known amongst the most wonderful monuments of the Capital and will be a perfect example of unity in diversity of religions in our country,” said the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who was present at the ceremony along with the President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Mr BL Joshi and BJP President Mr LK Advani.
Calling it as one of the unique wonders of the world, Mr Advani said, “The fabulously lit monument deeply reflects the authenticity of Indian tradition and culture with its scintillating carvings and sculptures.”
Colour Photo: Swaminarayan Akshardham inauguration programme

(Magazine of Outlook group)
15 November 2005
Akshardham
The Akshardham Temple that opens to Public on November 8 is every bit as large and impressive, and promises to be a major attraction85 By nightfall, the temple starts gleaming like a stellar object, slowing down the leftward stream of traffic towards Mayur Vihar.
India Today
21 November 2005, New Delhi
High Altar of Worship
Sheokesh Mishra
Delhi
When the country’s President and prime minister are in attendance, you can be sure something momentous is happening. Consider the statistics. It is one of the largest temple complexes in India, spread across 100 acres; there are 20,000 idols, including an 11-ft-high goldcoated figure of Bhagwan Swaminarayan; there is a 2-km-long double-storeyed parikrama path with 1,152 pillars; and there are 148 full-sized elephants made of stone.

(Inflight Magazine of Air India)
December 2005
A Spiritual Sojourn
Jayshree Menon
The genesis of Akshardham lies in the wish expressed by Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj in 1968 that a mandir be built on the banks of the Yamuna. His wish was fulfilled through the efforts and divine blessings of his successor and the present 83-year-old spiritual master of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS), HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
...The Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi truly epitomises Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages through amazing technology.

(A Weekly Paper)
19 November 2005, New Delhi
Poetry in Stone
Sucheta Das Mohapatra
Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, a pantheon heralding the new millennia’s Hindu architectural glory, came alive on November 6 on the banks of the Yamuna in New Delhi. The complex, built on a 100-acre plot, follows the pattern of the famous Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar.
The temple has 234 pillars topped by nine domes and is bedecked by a 11-foot tall statue of Lord Swaminarayan, the presiding deity and more than 20,000 other statues of gods and goddesses. It has an exhibition hall reviewing 10,000 years of Indian heritage through sculptures supported by a multimedia show.
Colour Photo: Akshardham Temple and other colour photos

13 November 2005, Mumbai
Temple of boom
Manvi Narang
Mumbai
Sprawled over 100 acres on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi and built at a cost of around Rs 200 crore, the new Akshardham temple complex in Delhi is a marvel in pink sandstone and white marble.
The Akshardham complex in Delhi is showcased as a tribute to the richness of Hindu religion and Indian culture and architecture. Apart from the temple, it houses experiential exhibitions and a giant screen theatre. The main monument is supported by 148 stone elephants. Each of the 234 pillars in the complex carry intricate carvings covering myriad aspects of the Hindu religion and reflect the spirit of social harmony and happiness. Around the monument is Narayan Sarovar, an artificial lake filled with waters brought from 151 holy rivers that Lord Swaminarayan, the founder of the sect, had visited.
Close by is the fascinating musical fountain, highlighting the peaceful co-existence of man and nature and their dependence on God. Sanskruti Vihar, an exhibition hall, is an enchanting 12-minute boatride that takes the visitor through tableaux charting more than 10,000 years of India’s heritage from – lifelike installations showing a Vedic village with its market, schools, households and dispensaries – down to all the progress the country has since made in science, warfare, academics, religion and spirituality. The universal values of mankind are presented through robotics, with a light and sound diorama show of Lord Swaminarayan’s life and teaching.
Colour Photo: Swaminarayan Akshardham

9 November 2005, New Delhi
Delhi gets a spiritual theme park (The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple is great architecture, stupendous technology)
Abhilasha Ojha
New Delhi
An-award winning film on a giant screen, a subterranean boat ride, a wave pool, 3-D dioramas consisting of robotics, fibre optics and sonnet-lumiere effects. A trip to Disneyland, Hong Kong – or Akshardham, Delhi?
The opening of the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex in East Delhi this weekend has signaled the arrival of the capital’s first spiritual theme park. Aimed at an audience that comprises the religious as well as those wanting a slice of entertainment, the Akshardham complex is an unending joyride for those wanting to combine a religious or spiritual experience with a day out for the family.
Photo: Swaminarayan Akshardham

English Dailies
Hindustan Times, The Times of India, The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Pioneer, DNA, The Statesman, Western Times, Business Standard, National Herald, Sahara Times (weekly), Organiser (RSS – English), Daily Samachar Post, Business Line (The Hindu), Afternoon (Mumbai), The Miami Herald (USA), The Star Ledger (USA), Asian News Line (USA), India International (USA), India Journal-Canada (USA), India Post (USA), India Tribune (USA), India-West (USA), Indian Express (USA), Indo American (USA), Swadesh (USA), The Weekly Voice (USA).

Hindi Dailies
Navbharat Times, Hindustan, Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala, Rajasthan Patrika, Punjab Kesari, Rashtriya Sahara, Sahara Samay (weekly), Panchajanya, Jansatta, Gujarat Vaibhav, Maharashtra Times (Marathi).

Gujarati Dailies
Divya Bhaskar, Gujarat Samachar, Mumbai Samachar, Sandesh, Phoolchhab, Jansatta, Janmabhoomi, Gujarat Today (USA), Jaihind, Western Times, Divya Bhaskar (USA), Garavi Gujarat (USA), Gujarat Abroad (USA), Gujarat Express (USA), Gujarat Samachar (USA), Gujarat Times (USA), Sandesh (USA).

Others
Jagbani (Punjabi), Samana (Marathi), Loksatta (Mumbai, Marathi).

Magazines
India Today (English), India Today (Hindi), Outlook (Hindi), Namaskar (English), Swagat (English), Delhi City Limits, (Outlook Group, English), Chitralekha (Gujarati), Abhiyan (Gujarati), Sadhana (Gujarati), Shanivar (Hindi), Gujarat (Gov. of Gujarat), Namaskar (Gujarati), The Competition Master, The Weekly Times of India (USA), Tiranga (USA), Garavi Gujarat (UK).

TV Channels
Aaj Tak, Star News, Zee News, NDTV, Sahara TV, Channel 7, CNBCTV18, India TV, TV Live, Aawaaz.

News Services
PTI, UNI, Reuters, Asianet News.

Websites
News about Akshardham have appeared in over 100 websites of various newspapers, news channels, restaurants and travel agents in India, Europe, USA and other countries. A few are mentioned below:

Websites
1. The Times of India, 2. Hindustan Times, 3. USA Today, 4. The Ledger, 5. The Hindu, 6. Sahara Samay, 7. Outlook India, 8. The Boston, 9. President of India, 10. Gujarat Samachar, 11. Divya Bhaskar, 12. CNN International, 13. Chicago Sun-times, 14. The Buffalo News, 15. BBC News, 16. Google Samuday, 17. The Indian Express, 18. The Tribune, 19. Press Information Bureau, 20. Gulf News, 21. Daily Times (Pakistan), 22. Rediff, 23. India Post, 24. India News, 25. Chitralekha, 26. Telegraph, 27. The Week, 28. India Tribune, 29. South Asia News, 30. Sikh Net, 31. NDTV, 32. Deccan Herald, 33. Washington Post, 34. La GE8ode, 35. India Digest (A Publication of the High Commission of India, London), 36. The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, 37. Yahoo India News, 38. Hindu Press International, 39. All India Newspapers

USA Websites
ABC News, About.com, Boston Globe, Buffalo News, Chicago Sun Times, CNN, Seattle Post Intillengencer, The Ledger, Tri-City Herald, USA ¬ TODAY, Washington Post, BBC, Desi Talk, India Post, The New York Times, Timesonline, New York Times.