An international academic conference on ancient Indian temple architecture was held from 19 to 20 December 2022 at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar in Ahmedabad. The conference's central theme was: “Ancient Indian Texts on Temple Architecture and their Contribution to Modern Practices.” The conference was organized by BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), a premier research institute of the Indian Government’s Ministry of Culture, as part of the centenary celebrations of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Eminent scholars from around the world presented original research at this two-day conference. The conference explored the role of temples (mandirs) as sacred spaces of devotion and cultural expression. The impact of temples in cultivating moral formation, social harmony, and community service was also highlighted. Researchers showcased the relationship between modern temple architectural practices and ancient texts on temple-building and investigated its development. The conference also celebrated Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s contribution to the legacy of temple-building and the profound impact it continues to play in communities across the world.
The conference witnessed a rich blend of both young and senior scholars from universities worldwide, including prominent institutions in New Delhi, Cambridge, Harvard, Chicago, and Toronto. They presented original research from various disciplinary perspectives, including philosophy, sociology, literature, and history.
In his opening address of the following day’s first session, Shri D. N. V. Prasad Sthapathy acknowledged Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s decisive role in representing Indian traditions and cultural values by creating temples throughout five continents. He also expressed his gratitude to Mahant Swami Maharaj for his involvement in the inauguration of Ramanujacharya’s murti, also known as the Statue of Equality. Thereafter, Shri Divya Kush recognized the importance of vastu in practicing modern architecture and the relationship between nature and art in shaping architecture. Shri Anand Ukidve then presented the journey from ancient Indian architecture to the extraordinary replica of Swaminarayan Akshardham currently displayed at the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar, Ahmedabad. Dr. Shonaleeka Kaul, an Associate Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, recognized the significance of the Indian temple architecture as not just a confined place, but rather a universal and encompassing space. A parallel session was also conducted and chaired by Shri Rabindra Vasavada.1
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- 1. The following session was chaired by Shri Jitendra Shah. During this session, Dr. Shrutiprakashdas Swami, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and the Director of AARSH, Gandhinagar, highlighted Swaminarayan Akshardham’s (New Delhi) comprehensive expression of ancient Indian scripturality by including the chaturvyuh (24 unique) murtis. He further explained how this architectural presentation of religious tradition furthered the intellectual revelations of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
