Travelers passing by the Akshardham flyover cannot help but be captivated by a monumental statue, strikingly golden, with arms raised high and poised on a single foot. While the official unveiling is yet to occur and construction continues at its base, the statue's grandeur already captures the attention of those journeying past the temple and the flyover. It leaves one pondering the identity behind this magnificent statue being erected in the temple grounds.
The official website of Akshardham's temple offers insights, complemented by Instagram posts detailing this grand undertaking. It is revealed that the statue commemorates the childhood, or 'balya kaal,' of Lord Swaminarayan, known then as Neelkanth Varni, standing at a height of 108 feet. This divine figure is a vivid representation of Swaminarayan's rigorous penance and spiritual discipline. Formal ceremonies for unveiling and consecration are anticipated at the end of March 2026, although exact dates await confirmation.
Source: aajtak
What Makes the Statue So Exceptional?
This statue of Neelkanth Varni models the youthful yogi form of Lord Swaminarayan. Demonstrating an enduring pose—one foot rooted to the ground with both arms raised towards the heavens—it is a meditation stance he adopted during his intense penance in Nepal's 'Muktinath.' This statue stands as a monument to his sacred pilgrimage and dedicated penance aimed at the spiritual upliftment of humanity.
Who Was Neelkanth Varni?
Lord Swaminarayan was born in '1781 AD' in the village of 'Chhapia' near Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh. He spent his formative years in Chhapia and Ayodhya, named Ghanshyam by his parents. At the tender age of '11,' on 'June 29, 1792,' he renounced worldly life, adopting the title 'Neelkanth Varni.' His subsequent extensive foot journey, spanning seven continuous years, led him through major pilgrimage sites, covering approximately '12,000 kilometers' across what are today India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
With neither wealth nor worldly belongings, wearing merely a simple loin cloth and walking barefoot, Neelkanth Varni moved with unwavering courage. He traversed the icy and treacherous peaks of the Himalayas, navigated dense forests of eastern India, explored the extensive sea coasts of southern India, and covered expansive landscapes in the west.
Across this historical voyage, he visited key pilgrimage sites—'Badrinath and Kedarnath' in the north, 'Tirupati and Rameshwaram' in the south, and 'Pandharpur and Somnath' in the west. Neelkanth Varni engaged in profound spiritual dialogues with people from various beliefs and backgrounds at each stop. He illuminated the fundamental elements of life and spirituality and guided countless souls toward the path of 'salvation.'
At several points, he endured many days without food or water. In holy sites like 'Mansarovar' and 'Jagannath Puri,' he performed severe penance. Upon arriving at Nepal's 'Muktinath' shrine, he embarked on his most challenging meditation, standing for months on one leg, hands raised skyward in deep meditation. This magnificent statue is a testament to such extraordinary penance, patience, and devotion.
The journey of Neelkanth Varni was fueled by a spirit of resolve and selfless concern for all. Concluding on 'August 21, 1799,' in Gujarat, by the age of '21,' he was revered as a great spiritual guide. He revitalized the tenets and traditions of 'Sanatan Hindu Dharma' and initiated numerous social and spiritual reforms for the upliftment of society. Transitioning from his childhood as Ghanshyam, his intense penance as Neelkanth Varni, he became revered as 'Parabrahm Bhagwan Swaminarayan,' a divine presence embraced by innumerous devotees.
Source: aajtak
Neelkanth Varni’s Majestic Statues Are Not Just in India but Abroad Too
Statues of Neelkanth Varni are revered not only within the country but across the globe. The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) has established Swaminarayan Akshardham temples worldwide, showcasing the adolescent penance postures of Swaminarayan. At the Akshardham campus in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, stands a 49-foot statue. Another such embodiment of penance is displayed in New Jersey’s Robbinsville Akshardham. Sydney, Australia, also holds an impressive statue that serves as a focal point of attraction. In Johannesburg, South Africa, a 42-foot bronze statue of Neelkanth Varni joins the ranks of the tallest bronze statues on the African continent.
Thus, as travelers pass by Akshardham, their gaze upon the towering statue sees the embodiment of Swaminarayan, a figure immortalized as Neelkanth Varni.
