Whose 108-foot statue stands at Delhi’s Akshardham? The story behind the new landmark

A towering statue of 108 feet has been consecrated at Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi, and the statue is already attracting attention from all over the city. Beyond the size of the statue, the real question on the minds of the people is: whose statue is this, and why is it important?The statue is that of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in his youthful ascetic form as Neelkanth Varni.

He took his decision to renounce the world at the early age of 11, embarking on a seven-year pilgrimage on foot through India, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.The statue has been portrayed in a strong meditative position, where he is seen standing on one leg with his two arms raised, signifying extreme discipline, devotion, and spiritual concentration. This position has been derived from his penance undertaken on his travels to the Himalayas, where he is believed to have practiced intense meditation.The statue has been consecrated as part of a grand Murti Pratishtha Mahotsav and has been referred to as the world's tallest "one-foot-standing" murti, thus giving it a spiritual and architectural importance.

Neelkanth Varni

While Neelkanth Varni is an embodiment of the saint, it is also an embodiment of the journey. In the course of his travels, he visited some of the most important pilgrimage centers on the subcontinent, met people from various walks of life, and propagated teachings that were epitomized by kindness, discipline, and strength from within.

In adopting this particular form, the statue also underscores the following:

It is an object of devotion for the faithful, but also an object lesson for the traveller, who finds within it an interesting story that links the landscape, the travel, and the philosophy.

Akshardham as a must-visit attraction in Delhi

Not only is Akshardham already one of the most visited landmarks in the capital, but it is so much more than a temple. It is a cultural complex where architecture, storytelling, and spirituality come together in a grand manner. With the addition of Neelkanth Varni, this already incredible place now becomes:

Why travellers should visit now

The recent consecration ceremony, conducted under the guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj in front of thousands of devotees and hundreds of sadhus, signals a new chapter in Akshardham’s history.The surroundings are now more vibrant than ever, infused with new spiritual energy and renewed interest.For visitors, this is the ideal time to visit, not in order to see another record-setting statue, but to visit a place where heritage, size, and significance blend together in a beautiful union.Because in the end, it’s not who owns the statue, but what the story says, and what it offers to anyone who steps through Akshardham’s majestic gates.