Akshardham Temple, New Delhi
The Yagnapurush Kund with 27-ft high metallic murthi of Neelkanth Varni, the child yogi form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan
The entire construction is from Pink Sandstone and White Marble, without any concrete or steel.
The Yogi Hraday Kamal ( lotus shaped garden )
The main shrine dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Over 155 Red sandstone domes
Carved ceiling
Intricate carvings on 1,160 pillars
Ceramics at Dilli Haat
Beautiful pots at Dilli Haat
Dilli Haat's puppets
Traditional and beautiful toys of Dilli Haat
Relaxing at the New Rajendra Nagar Guesthouse... Sushanth can't wait to start reading the book he purchased at Akshardham !!!
His Holiness 1008 Shree Shree Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Shree Puthige Matha, Udupi
Stage is set for Swamiji to perform the pooja
Shri Krishna Mandir at GSB Samaj, New Rajendra Nagar
Neelkanthi Guesthouse at Kurukshetra... Waiting in queue for breakfast on the first day of our Saraswati Yatra... 250 strong yatris in all !!!
Getting to know each other...
Bhor Saidan, an escavation site around 30kms from Kurukshetra
Sushanth admiring the beauty - Saraswati actually flowed here several 1000 years ago
Yatris walking on the (dried) Saraswati River Bed
Rainwater accumulated on one side of Bhor Saidan
Locals (seen on top) curiously looking at the huge group gathered in the middle of no-where :)
H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji arrives at Bhor Saidhan
Dr. Rajesh Purohit, Curator, Krishna Museum, Kuruskshetra, explaining the significance of Bhor Saidhan
Heading to the next interesting place...
Fine dust - Saraswati's silt containing mica and other minerals are found at Bhor Saidan.Presence of these minerals only cofirms that a Himalayan river (Saraswati) flowed here in the distant past !!!
Chanting verses from the Bhagwat Geeta at Jyotisar, 12kms from Kurukshetra.
Jyotisar, or the source of light and inspiration, is the birth place of the holy scripture Bhagwad Gita.
Yatris engrossed in Bhagwat Geeta recitation
In the background, " The Immortal banyan tree - witness of the celestial song of Bhagwad Gita."
Shamiyana at Adi Badri to escape the heat !!!
Adi Badri is the place where the sacred Saraswati river enters the plains from the Himalayas.
Adi Badri was the ‘Haridwar’ of Vedic Saraswati
The Main Kund at Adi Badri
Welcome to the Tercentenary Event
Saraswati Udgam Sthal, Saraswati Kund, Adi Badri
Ready for the opening ceremony :)
Blue and White was the Colour code
Awaiting Swamiji's arrival for the opening ceremony and rituals
Shri. Darshan Lal Jain, President, Saraswati Nadi Shodh Sansthan (Haryana) addressing the yatris
Swamiji arrives...
Swamiji entering the Udgam Sthal
A Marble Gomukh through which the Sarawati river water flows into the main kund
Initial pooja's being performed by Swamiji
Swamiji doing an Aarti
Swamiji dedicating the gomukh to Bharat Varsh
Swamiji collecting the sacred Sarawati water.
Being sealed for future use of the holy Saraswati jal.
Another ritual
Swamiji heads towards the main kund where the Saraswati Pooja will take place
A closer look at the Gomukh... Saraswati river water can been seen flowing through it
Swamiji performs a Samohika Saraswati Pooja
Getting the palki ready for Goddess Sarawati
We set out with Goddess Sarawati on the palki
We are lead by Swamiji around the main kund during the palki utsav
Followed by a short felicitation ceremony
The erosion on the hill seen in the background indicates the height & might of the River Saraswati when it flowed here.
The picturesque scenery around the main kund
Swamiji returning from the sapling plantation at Adi Badri
Following in the footsteps of Swamiji
Finally a photo together :)
Blissful...
Sushanth enjoying the cool breeze at the main kund
Wish I knew how to swim !!!
reflections...
Relaxing... soaking in the beauty of Adi Badri
Sunrise at Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra
A dip in the Sarovar bears the sanctity of performing Ashwamedha Yajna, which, the scriptures say, absolves one of all the sins.
It is believed that it is the cradle of Indian civilization because Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, conceived the Earth here !
Back at Delhi, near the Iskon Temple (in the background)
The Bahai Temple also known as the Lotus Temple or Kamal Mandir.
Rising up pure and unsullied from stagnant water, the lotus represents the manifestation of God.
Remarkable fusion of ancient concept, modern engineering skill and architectural inspiration.
Our last day at Delhi...
India Gate...
Rashtrapati Bhawan...
finally The Red Fort...
