Day 4 - Unbelievable. Amazing. Stupendous. Wonderful. Majestic. Beautiful. Heavenly. Epic.......Speechless

 
Todays blog might as well just be filled with adjectives. That's probably the best way to describe what we have just seen here. You often see these grand descriptions plastered over film posters that have been huge successes. Today feels as if I've just seen possibly the greatest film of all time - only that this was real. 

Kick starting the day was the abhishek of Shree NarNarayan Dev. The first murti of any kind in any Swaminarayan temple worldwide - installed by Swaminarayan Bhagwan Himself. That fact alone is amazing. When you witness an abhishek take place of this very murti - your mind is simply blown away. The atmosphere, the ceremony, the people. Everything and everyone was filled with joy and excitement at merely being in the vicinity let alone being lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Shree Hari's 6th and 7th heirs perform this act of pure divinity. It's estimated 100,000 people crowded into Kalupur Mandir. It felt like a lot more as you were whisked away in the wave after wave of haribhaktos flooding into the main alter. You have no control over your own body as you float from Sinhasan to Sinhasan. All you can do is take try to take it all in. So many different people, different sizes, different characters - yet we were all unified in the appreciating the glory of Shree NarNarayan Dev. 

Gujarat Chief minister Narendrabhai Modi was in attendance too. Not only was it fitting to have him there because of his position in government, but also because he himself has been instrumental in making Gujarat not just an economic powerhouse but a green powerhouse too. He can now add the Museum and the Swaminarayan Sampraday to the growing list of institutions taking grand steps in helping preserve and promote our wonderful planet. 

Then came the bit the whole world was waiting for.  As thousands filled the museum vicinity you could feel the excitement bubbling away. The grand stage was set. The red carpet was laid out. The building itself - magnificent and simply awe inspiring. The structure may not have the intricate carvings of some of our great temples but it's sheer uniqueness is what makes it difficult to look away. I suspect knowing what's inside also may have something to do with it too. 

A deep, eloquent almost soothing voice appeared introducing himself as the  Museum - as if it's coming to life. He spoke of the journey here and how grateful he was to Shree Hari and His descendants for bringing him into the world. After some introductory videos and performances depicting the life of Swaminarayan Bhagwan - there was this incredible laser show that illustrated the journey of the project. You would be forgiven for thinking George Lucas had something to do with this - it was that good. 

When the aarti was performed, all you could see was a sea of divas waiving elegantly side to side against the hypnotic backdrop of the illuminated museum front entrance. I can't speak on behalf of everyone but I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I was that Mota Baapji had finally seen His dream come true. His hard work, sacrifices, and devotion to this cause have all come to fruition.  The unflinching support of the millions of followers worldwide. The tireless physical labour carried out. The promoting, the brand awareness - all had been handsomely rewarded.  As the thousands looked upon the giant screen, the grand doors were pushed open by Shree Hari's 3 heirs. Swaminarayan Museum was born. 

I repeat the words of the title. What I saw inside simply cannot be described. I can write all the superlatives available yet that still wouldn't be enough. The museum alone gives you goose bumps, the relics inside will blow you away. This is no small feat. This is genuinely a landmark beyond any imagination. Believe me when I say this - you MUST visit this place.