Akshardhaam - An abode of Peace and Joy

The Visit

If you want to rejuvenate your mind and soul, and unleash from the strings of busy and materialistic life, give Akshardham Temple, New Delhi a definite try someday!!!

What I am going to tell you is the experience of my recent visit with friends on a week-day. The weather was pleasant, and the crowd was less, obviously for it was a working day and early morning. Let me tell you the unique thing about this temple. Not only the temple area, but the magnificent ambience boasts aesthetic value and greenery which gives you peace and solace.

It was an awesome experience to walk barefoot on the clean soothing marble floor. And the divine view of majestic temple known for its splendid architecture was mind-refreshing.

The temple

The moment I stepped towards the temple, I felt so pure, so free. The smile on my face was because of the inner serenity, to see the majestic temple. We all walked in the middle of the way (to keep symmetry with the pathway leading towards the entrance). It looked so beautiful.  Inside the temple lies the giant deity and the reminiscent of the Lord – Swaminarayan along with deities of various Gods, and many spiritual works and relics. We stopped at the splendid deity of the God, ‘Swaminarayan’ and took the ‘aarti’.

While I had my eyes close, I felt redeemed. And so, I opened my eyes as if opening myself to God rather than praying or asking for anything.

Narayan Sarovar

On the outer wall of the mandir are 108 bronze gaumukhs, symbolizing 108 names of God, from which holy water spouts forth. I saw people (specially foreign tourists) studying the sculptures, and the details of the intricate art on the walls. We walked on the other side. The side, surrounding the peaceful, beautiful, serene and sacred water body, Narayan Sarovar, surrounding the temple. (It contains the holy waters of 151 rivers and lakes sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, including Manasarovar, Pushkar Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar, Indradyumna Sarovar, Manikarnika Ghat, Prayag Triveni Sangam, River Kshipra, Rivers Ganga and Yamuna and many others).

It was so peaceful. I wanted to steep in its coldness. It all looked like a fairy dream, something so surreal and mystical. The place appeared as if it was reserved for just four of us.

I sat in a window, which opens towards the pool of water. There, I looked at the water sparkling with golden sunlight. The time in which we drink the wonders of the natural splendor was magical and melodious because of the beautiful soothing spiritual music in the corridor.

The exhibitions

One more attractive and unique feature is ‘The exhibitions’, which includes a 45 minute telefilm based on the life of Swaminarayan on huge screen and nice sound effects, a boat ride introducing many traditional anecdotes and sayings in small parts, and finally a walk through the exhibitions depicting various aspects of life, lifestyles, and robotic manifestation of anecdotes. In short, you will see a blend of art, spirituality and technology. 

  

And it’s all INDOOR.

The food

Well, the most important thing – The food. I bet you won’t deny that it was the tastiest food you ever had. There is a separate Indoor food court, where you can find your favourite cuisines and snacks including chaat, North Indian Thaali, Dhokla, Samosa, cakes, beverages(including Chhaach), paav bhaji, chhole bhatoore, south Indian Thaali, ice-creams, Fresh fruit juice and what not. Yummm. In addition, there are separate Outdoor stalls of various vendors like Chaat, paani pur, juice, popcorn, Ice-cream, kulfi, etc.

The Shop

After the food, we checked out ‘the books and gifts store’ – a dedicated shop for selling items. It has a vast collection of consumables - candies, herbal tea, mouth freshener, squashes, daily-use products like natural face-washes, soaps and toothpastes apart from books T-shirts, and spiritual collection.

Abhishek-mandap

There is a separate sacred place where visitors can perform abhishek (the ritual bathing ) of the murti of Neelkanth Varni -  yogic form of God Swaminarayan. This ritual bathing of the murti amidst the chanting of prayers and mantras is a uniquely participatory ritual, open to all visitors.

The musical Fountain show

Mesmerising, mind-blowing and hypnotising.  You have to take a separate ticket for the show - Sahaj Anand, which starts at around 7:pm in the evening.

The Sahaj Anand Water Show is a breathtaking 24-minute presentation which brings to life a story from the Kena Upanishad.

Multi-color lasers, video projections, underwater flames, water jets and surround sound in symphony with lights produce a captivating and inspiring presentation. The most beautiful and memorable moment of the day.

That one day, I spent under the tutelage of Lord Swaminarayan was an unforgettable experience. Must visit.

Add Spice with Tomato Soup

A stylish and quick soup recipe, which would add taste to your course.

You require (for 4 bowls):

1)      8 big or medium-sized tomatoes (red and pulpy)

2)      2 apples

3)      Ginger

4)      Sweet corn

5)      Butter

6)      Fresh coriander leaves

7)      Bread

8)      Vegetable oil

Steps:

    1)      Cut and peel off the apples and a small piece of ginger to put them in cooker with     thoroughly washed tomatoes and a small quantity of water (roughly half glass)

    2)      Allow the mixture to boil for one whistle. Turn off the gas knob.

    3)      After 5 minutes, remove the lid, and allow the temperature to set down.

    4)      Meanwhile:
- Let a small quantity of sweet corn (50-100 gms) boil in a separate utensil

- Take a pan, and put adequate quantity of vegetable oil

- Put on the burner

- As the white fumes start emerging from the hot oil, put the small bread crumbs (2-3 breads) into the pan.
- It would hardly take 2 minutes to fry..

- Collect them in a bowl.

- Get the washed coriander also ready.

    5)      Grind the boiled mixture of the cooker now in a mixer.

    6)      Filter it in a pan with the help of a sieve.

    7)      Put the pan under flame and add 3 spoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of black pepper              and red chilli powder.

    8)      Allow the broth to take red colour with fine lather on the surface.

    9)      Set off the knob and pour the hot soup in ceramic/glass bowls

   10)    Put the boiled sweet corn, the fried bread crumbs, a piece of butter and sprinkle the coriander over it.

The hot soup ready to be served is not just delicious but presentable as well.

My Foodpanda Experience

Dedicated to All Foodies!!!

Guys! Thanks for giving a good reading trial to the blog. This fresh story has just come from a friend of mine, who has had an experience with a new online food service.

“Coming across 40% discount advertisement on facebook, I decided to give ‘FOODPANDA’ a try… 

For a start I ordered 2 pav-bhaji from a nearby outlet which the site mentioned but even I hadn’t ever heard of. After applying the discount coupon and making online payment I was waiting eagerly for my food when I get a call from a Gurgaon number. Suspecting it to be one of those ‘hum-apko-credit-card-offer-kar-rahe-hain’ calls, I picked up reluctantly. But to my surprise the call was from the foodpanda team, a courteous girl informing me that the store I ordered from is not responding to them. Disappointed, I asked her what could be done to which she politely said ‘sir aap kisi aur restaurant se equivalent order kar sakte hain’. I wasn’t much pleased since I had ordered from the cheapest outlet I found (to test foodpanda) and the idea that now I would have to shell out more irked me a little. Being out of choices I picked a good known restaurant (since I didn’t want to pay more to an outlet I didn’t know) and their minimum order amount was twice the one I ordered from earlier. After giving the order I asked the representative how do I pay the remaining amount.

Friends, that was my happiest moment of the day when she replied ’sir, you need not pay anything. We will bear the cost as it is our mistake.’ Magical words to me they were and I wished I had chosen a more expensive restaurant.

I truly appreciate such prompt service and due compensation. God bless FP!!!”