Prime Minister of Republic of Mauritius, The Rt. Hon Sir Anerood Jaugnuth, visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi to experience India’s ageless beauty, borderless culture and timeless values.
On behalf of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj – the inspirer & creator of Swaminarayan Akshardham and Spiritual Head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - senior sadhus traditionally welcomed Mauritian Prime Minister Anerood Jaugnuth with a garland of flowers, a chandlo (vermillion powder) and the tying of the sacred kalva (sacred thread). Accompanying Prime Minister Jaugnuth was a twelve member delegation including the The Rt. Hon. Lady Jugnauth as the First Lady of Mauritius and leading Mauritian businessmen and philanthropists.
After admiring the Mayur Dwar (Peacock Gate), the Mauritian delegation made their way to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir where they witnessed the world’s ‘Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple’.
After offering respects and viewing the Mandir’s architecture, Prime Minister Jaugnuth and delegation visited the Gajendra Pithika (Elephant Plinth) that includes 148 life-sized carved stone elephants depicting message of social harmony, peace and spirituality.
Prime Minister Jaugnuth offered prayers for world peace and harmony by offering ‘abhishek’, the ceremonial pouring of sanctified water from 151 holy rivers, lakes and ponds across India on the sacred image of Sri Neelkanth Varni.
Thereafter the Prime Minister of Mauritius and the Mauritian delegation experienced the educational exhibitions: Neelkanth Darshan – a Giant Screen film on the epic journey of Neelkanth Varni throughout India and Sanskruti Vihar – a cultural voyage that sails through 10,000 years of India’s glorious heritage, highlighting India's contributions to humanity through the ages. Finally, the delegation witnessed the Sahaj Anand Water Show, a theatrical presentation about an ancient Upanishad story with modern fountains, projections, lasers and fire.
Sharing his experience of Akshardham, Prime Minister of Republic of Mauritius, The Rt. Hon Sir Anerood Jaugnuth wrote, “It has been a great pleasure to visit Akshardham today. Thanks for the warm welcome and the presentation of a number of books, which will be of great intense reading. I hope that I will get another opportunity of visiting this holy place again in the future with you.”