Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kalupur (Gujarati: ???? ???????????? ?????, ???????, Devnagari: ???? ?????????? ??????, ????????) is the first Temple of Swaminarayan Sampraday, a Hindu sect. It is located in the Kalupur district of Ahmedabad, the largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was built on the instructions of the sect's founder, Swaminarayan.
According to the will of Swaminarayan, the rule of Swaminarayan Sampraday is divided into two Gadis (seats) - NarNarayan Dev Gadi and LaxmiNarayan Dev Gadi. This Temple is the headquarters of NarNarayan Dev Gadi.
The land for the construction of this first temple of Swaminarayan Sampraday was gifted by the British Imperial Government. The task of building this place of pilgrimage was entrusted personally by Swaminarayan to Ananandand Swami.
This was the first Swaminarayan Sampraday temple built according to sacred norms with intricate carvings from sacred Burmese wood and sculptural art depicting parts of deities, auspicious symbols and religious symbols representing axiomatic religion and Indian culture. The temple is believed to be a valuable cultural heritage in the socio-religious history of Gujarat and India. Relations with the British Government
Dunlop, a British officer, was so impressed with the activities of Swaminarayan and his followers that he gave 5,000 acres (20 km2) of land in the Kalupur district of Ahmedabad to build this temple on behalf of the government. When the temple was completed, the officer was so impressed with the temple that he ordered 101 gun salutes to the temple.
When the British government wanted to build a railway station in Kalupur, the temple gave back some of the land where Kalupur Railway Station stands today. The government paid compensation to the temple by giving 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) of land in the village of Narayannagar. Although the temple has very good relations with the British government, some of the wood carvings in the temple depict the 1857 uprising, often referred to as India's first War of Independence.
With its Burmese teak-based architecture, each colored arch and gusset is a distinctive bright hue that stands out in most Swaminarayan temples. According to Anjali Desai, author of India Guide Gujarat, the temple is reminiscent of a fairy tale, with all its colors and rich carvings adorning every wooden bracket, pillar and arch profusely. The temple attracts a million people the day after Diwali. The temple has a multi-level guesthouse with air conditioning and a fully equipped health clinic within its complex.