Mahant Swami Consecrates Murti of Nilkanth Varni Maharaj at Gandhinagar Akshardham

The Teenage Ascetic Form Of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, at Akshardham, Gandhinagar

• A Vedic abhishek ritual of Shri Nilkanth Varni’s Panchdhatu murti with holy waters from 555 holy rivers and kunds of India.
• Around 3000 male and female devotees participated in the ‘Swaminarayan Vishvashanti Mahayagna’ from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.

• “May Shri Nilkanth Varni fulfill everyone’s aspirations, inspire all to practise austerities, and strengthen faith in all hearts.” – Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj

Gandhinagar, In 1992, 32 years ago, Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj gifted the divine and grand Akshardham Maha Mandir to Gandhinagar, which portrays Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma. Today, the consecration ceremony of the 49-feet high panchadhatu murti of the ascetic form of Shri Nilkanth Varni (teenage form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan), was held at the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar at the hands of Mahant Swami Maharaj, guru of BAPS.

A yagna was held at the Akshardham complex from 5.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. in which 3,000 male and female devotees participated. At 7:30 a.m., senior BAPS swamis performed the preliminary consecration rituals.

Aksharvatsal Swami described the uniqueness of the 49-feet high murti of Nilkanth Varni as the tallest and only of its kind in India. He explained that the murti’s posture reflects the exact ascetic form in which Bhagwan Swaminarayan had performed rigorous austerities, 200 years ago, for over 2 months at Muktinath in Nepal.

At 8:30 a.m., Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj commenced the final consecration ceremony, followed with arti and prayers for peace. Floral offerings were showered over the murti through a drone.

Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, who was instrumental in the entire project, said, “At the age of 11, Nilkanth Varni Maharaj left his home and journeyed across India. For the welfare of spiritual aspirants, he undertook severe austerities and travelled for seven years, enduring extreme hardships. This murti serves as an enduring reminder of his intense austerities and compassion for humanity.”

Finally, blessing the occasion Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj said, “The sight of this magnificent ascetic murti brings calmness to the mind and draws one’s heart towards it. Bhagwan Swaminarayan resided in the Himalayas for many months, surviving only on air.

With a resolve for the welfare of all beings, Nilkanth Varni Maharaj performed unimaginable austerities and travelled selflessly. May Nilkanth Varni fulfill everyone’s aspirations and all be inspired to perform austerities. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has served here, and I pray for the happiness of all.”

From tomorrow onwards, this awesome and divine Tapomurti of Nilkanth Varni will be open for darshan to all.