Golden Hour shows the Day in Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur

Sangeeta India, Travel 36 Comments

I am a morning person. my day is pretty much defined by the first one hour at sunrise which is the golden hour. During my workaholic days, I would be seated in a car headed to the airport or checking my email indoors not paying heed to the golden sunrise. Over the years, things have surely changed for the better and now I spend time walking into the sunrise, sun gazing or doing sun salutation with some soothing music for company while the chirping pigeons eagerly wait for me to serve them grains. I was in Ahmedabad recently and visited the Swaminarayan Temple early one morning to join the Heritage Walk around old city.Swaminarayan Kalupur

Since we arrived at the crack of dawn, I spent the golden hour sitting on the steps, watching the pigeons, devotees and the sculptures of the temple unfold their beauty under the warm glow of the rising sun.This is a 19th century temple belonging to the Swaminarayan sect located in the Kalupur area in the old city of Ahmedabad. The ornate and exquisitely embellished gateway is at the end corner of a rather narrow, winding, crowded street.Swaminarayan KalupurSwaminarayan Kalupur

The other attraction on the street is the heritage building with a clock tower. The main idol in the centre of the temple is of Nar Narayan Dev who is dressed opulently in rich embellished fabric.Swaminarayan KalupurSwaminarayan Kalupur

The architecture of the temple is based on Burma Teak Wood and the predominant use of Green and Yellow in the arches and brackets at the backdrop of the white marble structure makes it very bright and attractive. The other buildings along the sides of courtyard which serves as a car park are also characterized by similar use of colour and motifs which range from gods and goddeses to birds, animals, flowers and geometrical patterns.

While I waited for the Heritage Walk to commence, the sun peeped out from all corners setting the top of the buildings ablaze and the melodious bhajans sung by a group of devotees to the beat of the dholak (Indian drum) transported me to another world.Swaminarayan Kalupur

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36 thoughts on “Golden Hour shows the Day in Swaminarayan Temple, Kalupur”

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  3. My Say

    Beautiful snaps !! longing to see work in Burma Teak Wood work .. the wood is not readily available these days . I mean the original one.
    Nice article and good to know we think alike about mornings 🙂

    Reply
  8. Suzanne

    How beautiful. It’s a long time since I was in India but your photos and words bring that wonderful spiritual energy.

    Reply

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  11. Angie

    Beautiful collection of images. I love the structures of these buildings and their intricate designs. I can imagine the peace and serenity you’ve experienced. 🙂

    Reply
  12. yogamardi

    Simply beautiful Sangeeta. Reading about your sunrise Sadhana reminds me of my own… It’s a precious time of the day, and one we can often miss.

    Reply
    1. Sangeeta Post author

      Thats true Mardi. I have discovered the joys of life with the morning sunrise. I love to read about your evolution through yoga, truly inspiring.

      Reply

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