Pran Pratistha rituals commence with participation of global spiritual leaders and thousands of devotees
New Delhi, March 26: The consecration ceremony of a 108-foot-tall statue of Neelkanth Varni began early Thursday at the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, marking a major spiritual event attended by religious leaders and devotees from India and abroad.
The rituals, part of the traditional Pran Pratistha (consecration) ceremony, commenced at around 6 am in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). Hundreds of saints and thousands of devotees gathered at the temple complex to witness the occasion.
Key Highlights of the Ceremony
The ceremony has drawn participation from more than 300 sadhus and spiritual leaders representing countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Australia, and several African nations.
The newly installed statue, standing at 108 feet, has been crafted using panchdhatu, a sacred alloy traditionally made from five metals, commonly including bronze. Organisers describe the murti as distinctive, depicting Neelkanth Varni in a one-legged stance—a symbol of austerity, penance, and spiritual discipline.
The statue is mounted on an eight-foot pedestal and was completed over the course of nearly a year, involving the coordinated efforts of artisan sadhus, craftsmen, and volunteers.
Spiritual Significance and Rituals
The consecration ceremony is rooted in Hindu temple traditions, where Pran Pratistha signifies the invocation of divine presence into a deity’s idol through elaborate Vedic rituals.
As part of the lead-up to the ceremony, a Shri Neelkanth Varni World Peace Mahayagna was conducted a day earlier. The ritual involved prayers for global peace, harmony, and stability amid ongoing international conflicts.
Organisers said the event is intended not only as a religious milestone but also as a symbolic call for unity and peace across communities worldwide.
Official Perspective
Spiritual leaders associated with the event emphasised that the ceremony reflects the core values of harmony, discipline, and devotion embodied by Neelkanth Varni. They noted that special prayers were offered for regions affected by conflict, reinforcing the message of global peace.
Background and Context
Neelkanth Varni is regarded as the youthful, ascetic form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who undertook a spiritual journey across India in his early years. His life is often associated with renunciation, meditation, and service.
The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, inaugurated in 2005, is one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world and serves as a major cultural and spiritual centre managed by BAPS.
Public Impact and Participation
Thousands of devotees from across India and overseas have travelled to New Delhi to attend the ceremony, reflecting the global reach of the Swaminarayan tradition.
Such large-scale spiritual events also contribute to cultural exchange and tourism, while reinforcing religious and community bonds among followers.
What Happens Next
Further धार्मिक programmes, devotional gatherings, and rituals are scheduled to continue throughout the day at the temple complex.
The consecration ceremony is expected to conclude with additional prayers and spiritual discourses, marking the formal installation of the Neelkanth Varni murti as a new focal point of worship at the Akshardham complex.
inputs and images : Hindustan samachar
Edited By D.Rishidhar Reddy
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