BHAKTI DHAM, Mangarh
BHAKTI DHAM MANDIR TEMPLE

 

Today Shree Bhakti Mandir has become the crown jewel in Mangarh’s crown. While reminding future generations of the greatness of this Divine place, it will also provide inspiration for bhakti and Divine knowledge for thousands of years.

This is the first temple in the world to stand on granite pillars. Even now visitors from far away places are coming to see this Temple.

During the grand inauguration ceremony of Bhakti Mandir, while performing all the Vedic rituals according to scriptural rules the Deities of Radha Krishn were established.

The Deity of Maharajji Kripalu was also established according scriptural rules.

During this devotional occasion, raas leela was enacted every evening by a group of performers from Vrindaban before more than 20,000 devotees who came from India and other countries.

Before we see the scheduled activities of the three-day inauguration, let's observe the special process of the construction of this temple.

The architectural drawings were prepared by architects from Ahmedabad, who are renowned in Indian in the field of temple construction.

From time to time even during the construction process, various models were made as needed to demonstrate appropriate corrections.

Finally, this grand structure was decided upon.

Large cranes and marble cutting machines were brought to the construction site.

Many different types of machines, thousands of tools and other needed materials were brought from Jaipur, Ahamedabad, Delhi, Bangalore etc. and organized at the construction site.

Carving and inlay work were done in many construction areas.

A small community was established of approximately 400 expert craftsmen from Gujarat, Rajasthan, U.P., Orissa, Bihar, etc.

At each step, extreme caution was used so that, along with the beauty, the quality would not be compromised.

From the time of the foundation stone laying to the inauguration day, a period of about nine years, work was continuously done for 10-12 hours every day, and on many occasions, it continued 24-hours a day.

Now, observe the uniqueness of the artwork. Stone available from almost every part of India was used in this Temple.

For example marble and granite from Makrana, pink sandstone from Jaipur, and colorful, semi-precious stones from all over the world were used.

Another special feature of this Temple is the elaborately carved and polished granite pillars, beams, and the north and south room ceilings.

This temple is 105 feet tall from the ground to the golden flag on the top of the temple.

There are a total of three doors on three sides of the temple.

Like the ground floor of the main Temple, the top floor also has a round verandah and shrine.

The ceiling is constructed above the second level.

This temple is built of pink stone on the outside and marble on the inside, which showcases its exceptional artwork. All the outer walls are made from sandstone, which are elegantly carved. All 32 doors, the shrines on both levels, and the ceilings of the verandahs are all made from Makrana marble, which was carved with very attractive and artistic designs by Makrana craftsmen.

Along with the exquisite carvings, the splendor of the temple is enhanced by beautiful embellishments.

Above the verandahs of the temple, pads from "Prem Ras Madira" revealed by Shree Maharajji are inlayed in ingle style.

Using ingle, flower and vine designs were made using semi-precious stones.

Upon entering the Temple, in the front, this beautiful Deity incorporates the Divine pleasure and attraction of Radha Krishn and forcibly attracts the mind.

This is the inner shrine of the Temple. It is a specially marked place where Maharajji Kripalu appeared in the lap of Mother Bhagwati.

For this reason, on Shree Maharajji’s 75th birthday, that is, Sharad Poornima of October 26, 1996, the foundation stone laying ceremony was performed according to scriptural guidelines.

In this inner shrine, a grand, lifelike Deity of Maharajji Kripalu is standing in a very natural pose. In the upper level shrine, beautiful Deities of Radha Krishn are established. Deities of the eight mahasakhis are established in the round veranda. Their speciality is that their pose and their impressive decorations indicate their Divine service to Radha Krishn as described in the scriptures.

Now, let us go to the north and south buildings. Each section has seven temples and an 80-foot corridor. The ceiling of each section is made from pink granite. These granite sections were decorated with intricate designs before they were set in the ceiling and inlayed with gold.

The hundred verses of "Bhakti Shatak" revealed by Shree Maharajji are inscribed on the walls of the corridors. Panels showing glimpses of Radha Krishn poses are installed on the the outer walls. The final step in the construction was establishing the kalash on top of the temple. Later, at an enthusiastic function, a golden flag was hoisted to the top of the temple by Shree Maharajji's lotus hands.

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat is thankful to all those workers, craftsmen, artists, supervisors, engineers, architects, and thousands of people from other countries who contributed in some way with the construction of this temple. Now this magnificent temple is a historical inheritance.