Who We Are
A Centre of Spirituality, Service, and Cultural Heritage
Shree Swaminarayan Temple, Kundaldham, situated in the village of Kundal in the Barvala taluka of Botad district, Gujarat, is a leading spiritual organisation within the Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Affiliated to the Vadtal Gadi, the temple was established by His Holiness Sadguru Shree Gyanjivandasji Swami and today serves as both a place of worship and a hub for wide-ranging cultural, educational, and humanitarian work. Together with its sister temple at Karelibaug, Vadodara, Kundaldham is dedicated to preserving the teachings of Lord Swaminarayan and applying them to the needs of contemporary society.
His Holiness Sadguru Shree Gyanjivandasji Swami is among the most respected spiritual teachers of the Sampradaya today. For more than four decades, he has devoted himself to spiritual practice and to sharing the philosophy of Lord Swaminarayan with seekers across India and abroad. A descendant in the sixth spiritual generation of Gopalanand Swami, he is widely admired as a powerful orator and is especially well known for the Sagar Katha, regarded as one of the longest-running discourses in the tradition. Under his guidance, Kundaldham is currently home to more than 100 monks and a large community of devoted followers.
The temple's central mission is to make the authentic knowledge of Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan accessible to all. To this end, Swamiji has delivered extensive discourses on the principal scriptures of the Sampradaya, while also leading initiatives that span technology, publishing, education, social service, animal welfare, and the celebration of festivals. The sections that follow describe the main areas of activity at Kundaldham.
3D Animations and Digital Initiatives
Recognising that spiritual teaching must speak to every generation, Swamiji has consistently encouraged the use of modern technology in the service of devotion. Under his guidance, the temple has produced 3D animated presentations of the Chesta of Lord Swaminarayan, the Vachanamrut, and other key works of the Sampradaya. These productions are created in-house by a team of dedicated volunteers and are designed especially to engage younger devotees, making profound teachings vivid, accessible, and easy to remember.
Books and Publications
Kundaldham has carried out an ambitious programme of digitising, restoring, and publishing the literary heritage of the Sampradaya. More than fifty original handwritten manuscripts, along with several modern works, have been published and distributed worldwide. A landmark achievement is the engraving of Shreemad Haricharitramrut Sagar—the most extensive scripture documenting the life, philosophy, and teachings of Lord Swaminarayan—on titanium plates designed to endure for over ten thousand years.
The temple also publishes Satsang Sevak, a monthly magazine that brings spiritual reflections, scriptural insights, and updates on the temple's activities to readers each month.
Temple Construction and Restoration
As part of his contribution to India's living religious heritage, Swamiji has overseen the construction of more than fifteen new temples and the restoration of many historic ones. Each temple is a place of daily worship and community gathering, where the famous "Ladudi" Prasadam is offered to all devotees who visit. At Kundaldham itself, more than two hundred dedicated sevaks reside permanently, supporting the daily rituals and the wider activities of the temple.
Gopinathji Gaushala
The Gopinathji Gaushala at Kundaldham is a sanctuary devoted to the protection and care of indigenous Gir cows, bulls, and calves. Reflecting the deep reverence shown to cows in Indian tradition, the animals are treated as members of a divine family. The Gaushala began with just ten milking cows and has since grown into a thriving home for over three hundred animals, where they receive nutritious feed, attentive medical care, and humane lifelong shelter.
Social and Humanitarian Activities
Following the instruction of Lord Swaminarayan in the Shikshapatri to be compassionate towards the poor and to serve those in need, Kundaldham conducts a wide range of social and humanitarian programmes. These include:
- Reformation and development of Gala village
- Visits to hospitals and patient welfare initiatives
- Blood donation drives
- Free health and diagnostic camps
- Organised pilgrimage walks
- Relief and support for needy families during the COVID-19 pandemic
Recognition and Achievements
The work of Kundaldham under Swamiji's guidance has earned recognition from several leading record-keeping bodies, including the India Book of Records, the Asia Book of Records, the Limca Book of Records, and the Guinness Book of World Records. Among the most notable feats was the display of 7,070 unique idols of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in twenty-seven circles, accompanied by 15,000 pure-ghee diyas, on 19 December 2021—an event that set a world record for the largest display of religious statues. These honours reflect the scale and creativity of Kundaldham's contribution to both spiritual life and society.
Festival Celebrations
Festivals at Kundaldham are celebrated with grandeur and devotion, drawing devotees from across the world. The annual Annakut, in which a vast offering of food is presented to Lord Swaminarayan, is among the most awaited occasions of the year. The Diwali Shibir, a residential course of seven to eight days, offers in-depth spiritual and personal training to participants of all ages.
Other major celebrations include the Hindola festival, the Colour Festival (Fuldol), Dipotsav during Diwali, and the Jal-Jilani festival—each a vibrant expression of the Sampradaya's devotional culture.
Activities for Children and Youth
A central concern of Kundaldham is the moral, cultural, and spiritual upbringing of the next generation. Specially designed training camps for children and young people combine spiritual instruction with engaging cultural activities such as drama, dance, telefilms, games, and creative workshops. By offering meaningful experiences in a joyful environment, these programmes help young devotees absorb the values of the Sampradaya and carry them forward into adult life.