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Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
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Akshardham record

The world’s largest Hindu temple complex in New Delhi

— Photo: V. Sudershan

MAGNIFICENCE: The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, a file picture.

New Delhi: The Akshardham temple here has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest Hindu temple complex.

An official of Guinness World Records came here to present two world record certificates to the head of Swaminarayan Sansthan, Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The official presented the awards to Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sansthan (BAPS) under two categories: the most Hindu temples consecrated by a single person, and the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple.

“His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, internationally revered spiritual leader and head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sansthan, has created and consecrated in accordance with the Hindu rituals, a world record of 713 mandirs (temples) in five continents between April 1971 and November 2007,” the certificate said. “Amongst these, the majestic, ornately hand-carved BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, stands apart as the largest Hindu temple in the world.”

“It took us three months of research, poring over the extensive architectural plans of the Akshardham and also those of other temples of comparable size, visiting and inspecting the site, before we were convinced that Akshardham deserved the title,” the official said. The temple is spread over grounds covering 86,342 square feet. It is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high.

This is the first time that the Guinness Book has recognised a Hindu temple in its list of large religious structures. — PTI

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