Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple inaugurated in Jodhpur after seven-year wait

After a seven-year wait, devotees of Swaminarayan in Jodhpur were delighted as the Akshardham Temple was inaugurated in a grand ceremony on September 25 that drew thousands of locals and dignitaries. The temple’s opening is being hailed by locals and devotees from other states as a milestone in the city’s iconic religious, cultural, and architectural masterpieces, as it offers a new identity for Jodhpur in faith, heritage, and tourism.

Ahead of the inauguration (Pran Pratishtha), the day began with spiritual fervour as senior saints from the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) organisation initiated Mahapuja at 6.45 am. A large gathering of devotees witnessed the Pran Pratishtha rituals, as the consecration of sacred idols was carried out amid Vedic chants and devotional hymns.

Idols of Lord Shri Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami, Shri Krishna-Radha, Shri Ram-Sita, Shiva-Parvati, Ganpati, Hanumanji, Neelkanth Varni, and the Guru Parampara were installed with traditional reverence. Those present described the first aarti as an emotional and spiritually uplifting moment.

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The formal inauguration took place at 6 pm and was attended by several dignitaries, News18 Hindi reported. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Jodhpur’s former Maharaja Gaj Singh were among the distinguished attendees. Built by the BAPS organisation, the Akshardham Temple in Jodhpur reflects the organisation’s signature architectural grandeur.

Crafted from traditional Jodhpuri pink sandstone and built in classic Indian temple style, the structure has been described as both a spiritual sanctuary and a masterpiece of design. The temple stands as a symbol of devotion, peace, and cultural unity. It is expected to significantly boost religious tourism in the region while serving as a centre for spiritual learning and community engagement.

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Prominent saints including Shwet Prakash Swami, Gyananand Swami, Yogi Prem Swami, and Aksharprem Swami oversaw the temple’s opening day activities, ensuring that rituals, prasad distribution, satsang sessions, and hospitality for devotees were conducted smoothly.

The temple is now open to the public, with visiting hours from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm daily. Devotees can attend Mangala Aarti at 4:30 am, Rajbhog Aarti at 12:30 pm, and Sandhya Aarti at 7 pm. The temple is expected to become a major spiritual and tourist destination, drawing visitors from across India and abroad.