Ahmedabad, 15 November, 2011

Haphazard and unnecessary reconstruction work at Ahmedabad’s one of the oldest and most visited Kalupur Swaminarayan Mandir has raised eyebrows of city’s heritage lovers and Swaminarayan sect followers among others. 200-year old Kalupur Swaminarayana mandir was constructed by none other but Shri Sahajananda Swami (Bhagwan Swaminarayana) himself at a cost of Rs 11.

The temple is suitable to survive for next 200 years, and in next 50-100 years its construction will not need any correction, according to Sompura experts report submitted to the temple.

But disregarding the Sompura report, some of the trustees and present Mahant have aggressively started demolishing the parts of the temple.

“Such activity is not unopposed, even former Acharya Shri Tejendraprasadji is not happy about what is going on, but he is silent fearing controversy, and more so fearing division in sect over this issue,” an insider said.

“Present Acharya Shri Kaushalendraprasadji, son of Shri Tejendraprasadji is abroad currently. The decision of haphazard reconstruction of this mandir is taken by present Mahant. Modification and new construction in the mandir is going on without consulting Sompuras or heritage experts. As Sompura refused unnecessary demolition and reconstruction of this mandir built by Bhagwan Swaminarayana himself, the Mahant has employed a Muslim contractor of Rajasthan for the works,” insider source further told.

“This mandir is called prasadi mandir. It was the first mandir of Swaminarayan sect. Even divided sect’s Chief Pramukh Swami of BAPS used to visit this mandir every year on his birthday until he was well. We are deeply pained seeing demolition of this mandir unnecessarily. Some of the parts replaced are not replaced with same stone, or in same design. A murthy of Vinayaka has been removed. They also want to remove golden throne and replace it. They have started major removal work in Garbha griha. They also want to demolish the Shikhara to build a new one. To allow this mandir in original shape, with original parts used, it is necessary that government’s heritage or archaeological departments step in,” said a devotee closely monitoring the works being done in this mandir.

It is interesting to note that for last 14 years, daily, a heritage walk starts from Swaminarayan mandir only. The mandir trust according to sources has plan to spend Rs. 7 crore for reconstruction of parts of this mandir. On one side of the mandir, lots of stones are lying. Heritage experts believe that these stones are weaker compare to original stones used in the mandir.

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