While it has already undertaken beautification and expansion plans long before other Indian temples—indeed, the hill town where the temple is located has long been a family vacation resort as well—it employs local artisans by renovating and upgrading architecture of the temple and inside the temple complex.
In many ways, India’s experience mirrors the Christian revivalist movements sweeping the world. Church sizes have been increasing in the US, South America, South Asia and Africa for the last few decades; the world’s largest mega church, the Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea, boasts 830,000 members. And just as the temples of India are now beginning to offer, these religious centres boast something for everyone: big buildings, entertainment, grocery stores, day care centres and multi-level parking lots.
Notes Scott Thuma, a professor at the US-based Hartford Institute for Religious Research: “The mega church functions like the mall owner, providing stability and a common roof under which diverse ministries, seen as specialized boutiques, can operate.”
While the mega church is loosening boundaries between different sects of Christianity, India’s temples seem to link Hinduism with nationalism: good Hindus make good Indians.
Markand Patel, the public relations officer at Akshardham, goes as far as to say the building is actually not a temple. “It is a monument. It is a tribute to India’s heritage and history.”
Similarly, in Somnath, orange board signs, pictures and tourist books encourage Indians to embrace the national heritage of Somnath. The temple has succeeded in attracting larger crowds, including young people from other religions. On a recent day, Rudy D’silva, 27, a Christian, sat in the side garden at Akshardham with his Hindu girlfriend. He says, “It’s calm and quiet and we can spend time alone. We come every other weekend.”
The temple of Somnath, the oldest jyotirling of India, sits on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Gujarat and when the heavy, wooden doors are parted, they open to the sand and the waves. Perfectly manicured lawns and walkways surround the complex.
Of all the work planned, Sharma says, “It is all going on simultaneously. We need donations to keep all this going. When the money comes, we promptly channel it to one of the projects.”
BAPS is the fastest expanding Hindu sect in the world. In just 35 years, it has constructed 713 temples worldwide.
“Swamisri wanted to construct a temple on the banks of the Yamuna, and through divine grace, we bought the land from the government,” says Harishbhai Kumawat, a volunteer from Rajasthan who has taken leave of absence from work and will spend a year offering services at the New Delhi temple. By Swamisri, he is talking about the spiritual head of the organization, Pramukh Swamy.
The Rs200 crore temple is reminiscent of Angkor Wat in Cambodia: expansive lawns, reflecting pools and a kilometre-long walkway with elaborate murals depicting stories from religious scriptures and a magnificent elephant terrace.