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Largest Hindu temple in the world
The central feature of the complex is the ornately hand-carved stone
temple, or mandir. Built according to ancient Vedic texts, and
measuring 356 ft (109 m) long, 316 ft (96 m) wide and 141 ft (43 m)
high, it is the world ' s largest comprehensive Hindu temple.
It was built within five years by 11,000 artisans and v olunteers of
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international socio-religious
organisation.
Exterior carvings
The outer wall of the temple is profusely covered with 200 stone
figures of India ' s sages and intricate depictions of nature.
Temple sanctum
Enshrined in the temple ' s inner sanctum is an 11 ft.-high gilded
murti (sacred image) of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the deity to whom the
temple and complex are dedicated. Other images include those of
popular Hindu deities and spiritual leaders of the Swaminarayan
tradition.
Interior carvings
The temple is a fusion of pink sandstone on the outside and white
marble on the inside, but with no structural steel used anywhere. The
interior is filled with 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes,
and intricately designed ceilings. In total, there are more than
20,000 carved figures.
Elephant plinth
The temple stands on a 1,070 ft.-long plinth of 148 full-sized
elephants carved entirely from stone. Together, they weigh 3,000
tonnes.
Stone colonnade
The t emple and its surrounding area are garlanded by a 3,000 ft (214
m)-long two-tiered stone colonnade. It features 1,152 pillars, 145
windows and 154 cupolas.
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