22 Facts About BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

1. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was and continues to be funded entirely by the local community of worshippers and well-wishers.

2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a type of 'Shikarbaddha' mandir, built according to principles laid out in the Shilpa Shastras, Hindu texts prescribing standards of sacred architecture.

3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds, all year round.

4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir traveled around the world emphasizing the importance of family harmony, community service, and addiction-free living.

5. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir campaigned against two common social crimes against women during his time—female infanticide and widow burning.

6. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir helped stop the practice of animal sacrifices in yagnas and promoted animal welfare.

7. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir registered a charity wing in 1950 with a goal of engaging in larger social and charitable works.

8. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has included practical aspects of living life such as not committing adultery to respecting elders, gurus, and those of authority.

9. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is my divine abode—Akshardham, which is infinite and endless.

10. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is one and unparalleled, the reservoir for all forms of bliss and eternally divine.

11. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is understood as Sarva karta, Sarvopari (transcendent), Sakar (having a form), and Pragat (present on the earth).

12. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir teaches that the entity of Akshar remains on earth through a lineage of "perfect devotees", the gurus or spiritual teachers of the organization, who provide "authentication of office through Gunatitanand Swami and back to Swaminarayan himself.

13. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir takes forward the legacy of Gunatit Satpurush by continuous vicharan and helping spiritual seekers (Devotees) to attain the higher state of spirituality.

14. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir's travels were motivated by his desire to reach out to devotees for their spiritual uplift and to spread the teachings of Swaminarayan.

15. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir embarked on a series of overseas tours beginning in 1974 as the Guru.

16. Under his leadership, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has grown into a global Hindu organization and has witnessed expansion in several areas.

17. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir gave Dr Patel the names of twenty-eight satsangi students to help conduct [satsang] assemblies.

18. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir's travels inspired the local devotees to begin temple construction projects.

19. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir instructed Shastri Narayanswarupdas, who now began to be referred to as Pramukh Swami, to ennoble Satsang under the guidance of Yogiji Maharaj.

20. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir wanted to renounce the world and become an ascetic but he was told not to.

21. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was instructed to seek the company of Gunatitanand Swami if he desired to attain the Gunatit state.

22. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, known as a Hindu place of worship, serves as a hub for the spiritual, cultural, and humanitarian activities of BAPS.