On 14 December 2015, the Nilkanth Abhishek Mandap was inaugurated with Vedic rituals at Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar. The murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni was consecrated earlier by Pramukh Swami Maharaj during his visit to Gandhinagar on 4 August 2014.

Mahapuja rituals were performed at 6.30 a.m. on the open grounds of Akshardham complex and simultaneously in the new Abhishek Mandap. Pujya Keshavjivan Swami (Pujya Mahant Swami), Pujya Bhaktipriya Swami (Pujya Kothari Swami), Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami, Pujya Anandswarup Swami and many yajmans performed the mahapuja rituals.

The exquisitely designed Abhishek Mandap was prepared through the intense effort and devotion of sadhus. All devotees present admired the mesmerizing paintings and murtis of Nilkanth Varni, the ornate ceiling and decorative marble floor.

The final installation ritual of Shri Nilkanth Varni was performed by Pujya Mahant Swami, followed by abhishek rituals performed by senior sadhus. The senior sadhus then addressed and blessed the devotees in an assembly. In conclusion, Pujya Mahant Swami reiterated Swamishri’s words, “Who ever faithfully performs the abhishek of this murti of God will fulfil his or her good wishes.”

Shortly thereafter, another milestone event followed. The senior sadhus inaugurated the exhibition, ‘Swaminarayan Darshan’, on the first floor of the main Akshardham mandir. The exhibition includes unique paintings depicting the life and work of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The exhibition was inaugurated with Vedic rites by Pujya Mahant Swami, Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and the artist Shri Vasudeo Kamath. On the occasion, Shri Vasudeo Kamath opined, “An exhibition of such calibre about a great person’s life is probably a rare occurrence in our world today. I was able to paint such paintings by the grace of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.”

Pujan of the Murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Aksharbrahman Gunatitanand Swami and Shri Gopalanand Swami was performed in Swaminarayan Akshardham on the morning of November 6, 2012. Mahapuja vidhi was performed by Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami and other sadhus. Devotees and all visitors to Swaminarayan Akshardham have been graced with the darshan of these murtis since the opening of this complex.

The inaugural assembly of the Sat-Chit-Anand Water Show at Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, commenced at 6.30 p.m. with Vedic singing by children. The assembly was presided over by HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Narendrabhai Modi, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Shri R. Chidambaram and Creative Designer of the Water Show Mr. Yves Pépin. More than 1500 dignitaries attended the function.

In his address, Ishwarcharan Swami, the coordinator of the project, gave details and objectives of the Water Show. Mr. Yves Pépin expressed his sentiments in his speech, “Till now my projects were all about entertainment and thrill. But this one is different. There is a spiritual message that follows the Indian tradition of the Upanishads. I have enjoyed working with BAPS. It was like a family experience. Pramukh Swami is a simple, selfless person. His inspiration can make the impossible, possible.”

Shri R. Chidambaram spoke about developing a scientific mindset in our young generation. “Nachiketa had an enquiring mind,” he added. “He was of a scientific bent because he persisted in asking the secret of life after death. If we want to become the best nation then we must have an amalgamation of science and spirituality.”

The Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi praised the show and added, “The message of India’s spirituality presented here will provide entertainment and inspiration to the new generation. I believe that management case studies should be done on Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s work. From it one will learn the highest lessons in management and the use of human talent and resources. He has made optimum use of youth energy for such service to society.”

Finally, Pramukh Swami Maharaj blessed the function. He explained the story of Nachiketa and the three boons he asked of Lord Yama. He emphasized, “We need to tell our children stories each day from the Ramayan, Mahabharat and our shastras. Through this we will be able to empower our children with values and faith of our culture and religion. The essence of Nachiketa’s story is brahmavidya, which can be realized through one who is absorbed in the bliss of God. Our guru Yogiji Maharaj was such a sadhu. He was always spiritually happy amidst the dualities of joy and pain, and honor and insult. I pray that may joy and peace prevail in India and the world.”

A brief inaugural Vedic ritual of pujan of Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and tying of nadachhadi (sacred thread) on the wrists of the chief guests followed. In conclusion, a short cultural performance by children depicted the five elements as part of the inaugural ritual.

Finally, the 45-minute Water Show was shown to the invitees and guests.

One of the India’s most popular actors and a national icon, Shri Amitabh Bachchan, visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar to see the Sat-Chit-Anand watershow.

Shri Bachchan was welcomed by Pujya Ishwarcharan Swami with a garland, chandlo and nadachhadi to the accompaniment of Vedic mantras.

At the end of the 45-minute show, Shri Bachchan exclaimed, “Amazing, amazing, amazing.” He met the sadhus and volunteers who setup and operate the Watershow.

Then he spoke with Pramukh Swami Maharaj by telephone, “Please accept my pranams. I have seen the amazing and beautiful Watershow. Please grant me your blessings and love. Thank you.”

Before leaving, he autographed the visitors book, “I have come to Akshardham for darshan many times, but in today’s experience my mind has experienced peace. And I have understood the truth about atma and Paramatma.”

After his visit, Shri Bachchan also wrote about his feelings regarding his visit on his daily personal blog :

But the day ended in another spectacular and amazing moment – a visit to the Akshardham Temple in Gandhi Nagar, the capital of Gujarat and just a 20 min car ride away from the city of Ahmedabad. The Akshardham Temples in many parts of the country have been amazing architectural achievements and the one here in Gandhi Nagar was no less. The constructions and designs are indigenous and without the use of any steel. They are neat clean and aesthetically kept regions. There is a pious feel to the area as a result of this, and a very dedicated loyal and hard working volunteer group of people maintain and propagate its beliefs and principles.

Tonight though, they had kept the temple open and lit long after closing hours for me and that was most gracious of them. Housed in a massive complex, with space and position for research and teaching the laser cum water show at the end of the tour was what we were there for and I have to say I had never seen anything like this ever.

In a large amphi theater that seated 2500 people in a picturesque open space, we witnessed a dramatic and utterly delightful show of a symbolic story that depicted the philosophy of the Akshardham Temple. The laser imagery on flowing fountains and building images on them with a story tale between Nachiket the son of a Saintly father that banishes him to YamRaj the disciple of Death, was a delight to watch. The deeper meanings of Atma and Parmatma were exquisitely woven into the happenings unfolding before us on varied screens of water, with such beauty, that I felt so proud to have been invited to such an event by my dear friend and family like Jigi bhai, JJ Bhatt.

Such a fulfilling experience and then to be able to speak on phone to Pramukh Swami ji, whom I have met on a few occasions, to seek his blessings, was an ideal end to the most, how should I put it, ethereal hours in a day.

Former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar to see the spectacular Sat-Chit-Anand Watershow.

He was greeted by the sadhus in traditional manner with a garland and recitation of Vedic mantras.

When the show began, Dr. Kalam was intrigued by the character Nachiketa and by the message of atma and Paramatma conveyed by the Watershow.

Afterwards he met all the young children who play the character of Nachiketa and appreciated their efforts, “You are doing a great service to the world.”

He also added, “Students from one thousand schools from every district of India should see this show.”

Dr Kalam was also introduced to the sadhus and volunteers involved with setting up and running the Watershow.

He then spoke with Pramukh Swami Maharaj on telephone and appreciated the show’s message.

Finally, before departing, Dr Kalam signed the visitor book, “Swaminarayan Akshardham at Gandhinagar has given great divine message to the nation,‘Create young Nachiketa’ India needs.

I am sure thousands of young students in India, must see this, the best spiritual show ever. India definitely will get hundreds Nachiketa. My regards to Maha Pramukh Swamiji for this great spiritual contribution.”