On 17 December 2007, Michael Whitty, official world record adjudicator and member of the management committee of Guinness World Records travelled especially to India to present two new world records to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international socio-spiritual organisation affiliated with the United Nations.
The Guinness World Records Book is the biggest selling copyright book in history, with more than 100 million books sold around the world in more than 25 languages. This is the first time, though, that a senior member of the Guinness World Records management committee has personally travelled to India to present a World Record certificate. The presentation came on the occasion of His Holiness’ 87th birthday being celebrated as the culmination of the four-day BAPS Centenary Celebrations in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

The following world records were presented by Michael Whitty to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj:

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

World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, is the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu temple. It measures 356 ft. long, 316 ft. wide and 141 ft. high, covering an area of 86,342 sq. ft. The grand, ancient-style, ornately hand-carved stone temple has been built without structural steel within five years by 11,000 artisans and volunteers. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, revered spiritual leader of BAPS, consecrated the temple on 6 November 2005.

HH Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, arrived at Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi with a delegation of diplomats from the Embassy of Armenia.

Atmaswarup Swami, the head of Swaminarayan Akshardham, welcomed them at 11.30 am by the Mayur Dwar. The delegation was given a guided tour of the monument, exhibitions and Neelkanth Yatra film. His Holiness performed abhishek of Shri Neelkanth Varni and remarked, “There is peace in the ambience of Akshardham.” He also added, “We are greatly impressed by this complex and extend our best wishes to you and your faithful. May God grant brotherhood to all nations and peace in the world.”

The delegation departed at 1.30 pm.

The Chief Rabbi of Israel Yonan Metzger, Chief Rabbi and President of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultation David Rosen, Chief Rabbi of Belgium Albert Guigui, Chief Rabbi of Turkey Isak Haleve, Former Chief Rabbi of Spain Benito Baruj Garzon, the Israeli Ambassador Mr. David Danielli, and other officials arrived at Swaminarayan Akshardham at 8.30 am. They were welcomed and shown around the entire complex. The Chief Rabbi of Israel expressed his astonishment on learning that the complex was built in only five years. He added that the word beautiful is not enough to describe it. It was just wonderful.

The delegation saw the main monument, Gajendra Peeth, boat-ride and Sahajanand Darshan exhibitions. In all the group spend 1hr. 40 min.

The Chief Rabbi of Israel opined, “ I am greatly impressed from the wonderful presentation of value and morality. I have never seen such wonderful presentation that explains educational messages for future generations. May your work and efforts be blessed.”

The President of Finland, falong with her spouse Mr. Pentti Arajarvi, visited Akshardham Monument on Sunday, 21st Jan 2007.

Other members of the delegation included Mr. Pertti Torstila, State Secretary, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Asko Numminen, Ambassador of Finland to India, , Veli Sundback, Executive Vice President, Nokia, Jan-Erik Enestam, Former Minister of Environment, MP and several CEOs of Finnish companies.

The President arrived at 11.00 a.m. She was welcomed in the traditional Indian way with the tying of the nadachhadi on her right wrist, tika on the forehead and garland at the Mayur Dwar.

The group visited the main monument and were amazed to see the intricate carvings, beautiful stone and marble figures, images of gods and goddesses, sadhus and sages and narratives from the great Indian epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat. The group also appreciated and enjoyed the Boat Ride exhibition.

The President and her spouse performed the ‘Abhishek’ ritual on Shri Nilkanth Varni.

The President opined ‘Many thanks for your excellent introduction to the history and the culture of India. I believe that your wisdom will help all of us to make better and more sustainable world’.

Lech Walesa, former President of Poland, was impressed by his two-hour visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham. On seeing the monument he said, “It is impossible to build this without God’s help.” Mr. Walesa was also all praises for the boat ride exhibition. He also saw part of the Hall of Values and excerpts of a large format film Neelkanth Yatra.