Inside Hollywood's $100 million (Rs 543.5 Crore) Swaminarayan temple
Inside Hollywood's $100 million (Rs 543.5 Crore)
Swaminarayan temple
Days after its inauguration, one of the biggest
Hindu temple in United States, built at a colossal cost of $100 million (Rs
543.5 crore) and designed to last 1,000 years, has become a major draw for its
grandeur and architecture.
The 68th Swaminarayan temple built near the
Hollywood city in Los Angeles has been carved out of traditional stone and
marble and cutting edge technology to protect it from earthquakes.
"The mandir is a beautiful testament to the hard
work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of
worship," Chino Hill Mayor Peter Rogers said.
"The mandir and cultural center will indeed be a
place that Chino Hills can be proud of for so many, many generations," he added.
Constructed from 35,000 pieces of meticulously
hand carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink Sandstone, the temple
encompasses five pinnacles, two large domes, four balconies, 122 pillars and
129 archways.
From the external walls and domes to the inside
pillars and ceilings, the mandir is completely etched with intricate carvings
in marble and sandstone
The 6,600 hand-carved motifs depict a mosaic of
tales of inspiration, devotion and dedication, along with historical figures
from Hinduism, temple officials said.
"Artisans created the carvings in India with
great love, skill and patience before the pieces were shipped to Chino Hills,"
a BAPS statement said.
The mandir is situated on a 20-acre site,
complete with 91 foot lotus-shaped reflection pond, a cultural center,
gymnasium and classrooms.
It is designed to "calm the mind and open it,"
said Ronak Patel, a volunteer of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
BAPS said that it is first earthquake-proof
mandir in the world.
Image: Inside the 'Haveli' or mansion at the
Swaminarayan temple complex, Chino Hills
Photographs: Courtesy: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir, Chino Hills, California website
"The upper structure of the complex is protected
from earthquake damage by separating it from the base with a series of 40
base-isolator units," it said.
"The mandir also uses a solar power system to
generate electricity and reduce adverse effects on the environment. The mandir
combines the best of traditional stone art and architecture and the best of
modern technology," said Divyesh Patel, a member of the BAPS Swaminarayan
Sanstha.
Inside the 'Haveli' or mansion at the
Swaminarayan temple complex, Chino Hills.
Inside the 'Haveli' or mansion at the
Swaminarayan temple complex, Chino Hills
Inside the 'Haveli' or mansion at the
Swaminarayan temple complex, Chino Hills.
Inside the 'Haveli' or mansion at the
Swaminarayan temple complex, Chino Hills.
'Murti darshan' at the Swaminarayan temple, Chino
Hills.
'Murti darshan' at the Swaminarayan temple, Chino
Hills.
More
The cultural centre at the Swaminarayan temple,
Chino Hills.
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2241 / Virus Database: 3162/5795 - Release Date:
05/03/13
