The Six Temples that Maharaj Built
A man however great or intelligent cannot meditate calmly in the home. The simple reason is there are many material objects and thoughts in the home that will distract one’s devotion. It is said the doing one mala in the temple is equal to doing 100 at home. This just illustrates how important temples are in our sampraday. Lord Swaminarayan built six temples in which he himself performed the murti pratishta.
Ahmedabad
This was the first temple to be constructed. An English collector donated the land during the British Raj. A deed document was transcribed on to copper plate, which stated that the land was remain under the ownership of the Swaminarayan Samprayday forever.
Shikhars: 3 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date: Falgun sud 3,
VS 1878 (24 February 1822 AD).
Main Deity: Shree Nar-Narayan Dev
Constructed by : Anandanand Swami
Bhuj – Kutch
The devotes living in Bhuj including Gangaram Mull, Sundarji Suthar & Hirji Suthar requested the Lord to construct a temple at Bhuj.
Shikhars: 3 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date: Vaishakh sud 5, VS 1879 (15 May 1823 AD).
Main Deity: Shree Nar-Narayan Dev
Construction by: Vaishnavanand Swami
Vadtal
The devotees of Vadtal including Joban Pagi, Kuberbhai Patel & Ranchodbhai Patel requested the Lord to build a big temple at Vadtal. Lord Swaminarayan himself helped in the construction by carrying stones to the site.
Shikhars: 9 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date: Kartik sud 12, VS 1881 (3 November 1824 AD).
Main Deity: Shree Laxmi-Narayan Dev
Responsible for Construction: Brahmanand Swami & Aksharanand Swami
Dholera
Punjaji Darbar urged the Lord to construct a temple in Dholera.
Shikhars: 5 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date: Vaishakh Vad 13, VS 1882 (19 May 1826 AD).
Main Deity: Shree Radha-Madanmohan Dev
Responsible for Construction: Nishkulanand Swami & Adbhutanand Swami
Junagadh
Jinabhai (Hematsinh) Darbar presented the Land for the temple construction at Junagadh.
Shikhars: 5 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date: Vaishakh Sud 2, VS 1884 (1 May 1828 AD).
Main Deity: Shree Radha-Raman Dev
Construced by: Brahmanand Swami
Gadhada
Lord Swaminarayan stayed in Gadhada for 25 years and made Gadhada the centre of the Samprayday. By the request of Dadakhachar and his sisters, the Lord constructed a grand temple.
The idol of Gopinathji Maharaj installed at Gadhada is in the same proportions as the Lord himself. Narayanji Suthar was the sculptor of the idol of Gopinathji Maharaj. Lord Swaminarayan gave him divine vision so that he may see the Lord for his exact measurement even when he was miles away.
Shikhars: 3 pinnacles
Murti Pratistha Date : Ashwin sud 12, 1885 VS (9 October 1828 AD).
Main Deity : Shree Gopinathji Maharaj
Constructed by : Lord Swaminarayan Himself & Viraktanand Swami
