The Sacred Temples
Six Grand Temples Built by Lord Swaminarayan
The Sacred Path to Moksha
In the Hindu tradition, temples are revered as sacred sanctuaries that guide countless souls along the path to moksha (ultimate salvation). They are far more than places of worship; they are centres of faith that serve a deep spiritual purpose in the lives of devotees.
Temples affirm the belief that God exists in a true and visible form (Sakar), and they help devotees nurture and sustain their devotion. Through the company of saints who reside in temples, the soul is nourished by the four pillars of Ekantik Dharma — Dharma (righteousness), Gyan (spiritual knowledge), Vairagya (detachment) and Bhakti (devotion) — which together lead a devotee toward ultimate liberation.
For thousands of seekers, temples have been a source of moral strength and inner peace. They stand as a place of refuge and assurance for the entire society, offering solace in times of sorrow and gratitude in moments of joy.
Sacred Intentions
To establish Dharma (righteousness) throughout the world, to instil unwavering faith in His true divine form, and to bestow true happiness upon His devotees through His divine image (Murti), Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan formed three heartfelt resolutions (Sankalp): 1.To build temples and install divine Murtis within them. 2.To establish Aacharyas to lead the spiritual community. 3.To produce sacred scriptures that would convey the greatness of the Swaminarayan Sect.
Mandir Karavu Mota Ati, Murtiyo Besaru Maay;
Sugam Sahu Narnaarne, Puje sparshe Laage Paay.
"I should make grand temples and install divine Murtis inside, so that all males and females can comfortably pray by touching His lotus feet."
The Divine Construction
During His divine presence on earth approximately 200 years ago, Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan personally built six grand temples and consecrated each one by installing the divine Murtis with His own hands. These temples stand in various towns and villages across the state of Gujarat, India, and remain enduring landmarks of devotion to this day.
Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan further instructed the Aacharyas to consecrate divine Murtis through traditional Vedic mantras and ceremonies (Vidhi). Following this sacred tradition, divine images in the Swaminarayan Sect continue to be installed today by the Aacharyas across towns, cities and countries around the world, through the same Vedic ceremony established by the Lord Himself.
The Six Sacred Temples
The table below lists the town, principal deity, and date of Murti installation for each of the six temples built by Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan: