The world’s tallest “one-foot-standing” murti of Neelkanth Varni to be consecrated at Delhi Akshardham

• ● His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj will consecrate the 108-foot-tall, unique “one-foot-standing” murti
  ● 300 sadhus and spiritual leaders arriving from Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and Asia-Pacific
  ● Thousands of devotees arriving from London, New York, Dubai, Sydney, Cape Town, and Hong Kong
  ● Message of peace and harmony in Gulf conflicts from Akshardham

New Delhi,  Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi, renowned worldwide as a symbol of India’s cultural and national heritage, is set to witness a historic moment on 26 March. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the global BAPS organization, will consecrate the 108-foot-tall grand murti of Tapomurti Shri Neelkanth Varni (Bhagwan Swaminarayan).

Crafted from panchdhatu (a sacred alloy of five metals, primarily bronze), this murti is the first of its kind in the world to depict Bhagwan standing firmly on a single foot, symbolizing intense austerity (tapasya). Preparations for this grand ceremony are in full swing.

HH Mahant Swami Maharaj arrived in Delhi on 19 March. A special welcome assembly was held on 21 March in his honor. On the morning of 22 March, murti consecration ceremonies were conducted for newly built BAPS Swaminarayan mandirs in Panchkula and Kurukshetra. Devotees and swamis also joyfully celebrated the festival of flower Holi in his divine presence. On 23 March, the Pratistha Pujan of murti to be consecrated at the upcoming Paris temple in September was conducted.

Who is Tapomurti Shri Neelkanth Varni?

At the young age of 11, Bhagwan Swaminarayan renounced his home and undertook a spiritual journey across India for the welfare of humanity. Covering over 12,000 kilometers in seven years, he traveled to sacred places such as the Himalayas, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Kailash-Manasarovar, Muktinath (Nepal), Kamakhya (Assam), Jagannath Puri (Odisha), Rameshwaram, Nashik, Pandharpur, and Dwarka. During this extraordinary pilgrimage, he was known as “Neelkanth Varni.”

Unique Features of the Grand Murti

• It is possibly the tallest murti in the world (108 feet), depicting a figure standing on one foot, installed on an 8-foot pedestal.
  • It took approximately one year to construct and is made from panchdhatu, primarily bronze.
  • The creation involved dedicated efforts of Akshardham’s artisan sadhus, around fifty craftsmen, and numerous volunteers.
  • It represents the intense tapasya performed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan as Neelkanth Varni at Pulhashram (Muktinath), where he stood on one foot for four months, without food and water.
  • The murti aims to inspire universal values such as austerity, sacrifice, friendship, compassion, harmony, service to humanity, devotion, and worship.

Shri Neelkanth Varni Murti Consecration Festival

The festival commenced on the morning of 25 March with the “Shri Neelkanth Varni World Peace Mahayagna.” This Vedic ritual was performed at the grand Akshardham complex using traditional Shodashopchar worship methods. Over 300 sadhus from across the world, including the UK, France, Africa, America, and Australia, have gathered for this auspicious occasion.

From the Akshardham premises, Mahant Swami Maharaj offered prayers for global unity and an end to conflicts and wars, especially calling for peace in the Gulf region. He prayed for harmony and friendship among all people and released white doves into the sky as a symbol of world peace.

On 26 March, the main consecration rituals will begin at 6:00 AM, followed by the formal inauguration of the murti.