Grand Temple at US

Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, USA . Opening Ceremony Pictures.

The newly inaugurated BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta, Georgia

Pramukh Swami Maharaj presents a memento to Congressman Henry Johnson Jr. during the inauguration ceremony of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, Georgia

Pramukh Swami Maharaj with Congressman Henry Johnson Jr., Commissioner of Gwinnett County Mr. Charles Bannister and Mayor John Bolton at the inauguration ceremony of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, Georgia, along with Pujya IshwarCharan Swami and Pujya Viveksagar swami.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj performs the Vedic rituals during the Murti Pratishtha Ceremony

The newly consecrated murtis of Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta

Ceiling of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta, Georgia

Intricately carved pillars of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Atlanta, Georgia.

Some details of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple at Lilburn, Atlanta

* It is one among the top ten largest traditional Hindu Vedic stone temples outside India.
* The largest temple of the BAPS Swaminarayan sect in United States.
* The temple is located on 30 acres of land.
* The total area of the mandir is 22442 sq. ft
* The exterior of the Mandir is made of Turkish Limra limestone.
* The main floor is made of Italian Carrara marble.
* The ground floor and basement is made of Indian Sandstone.
* Smallest stone 15 gm to largest stone of 5.2 tones.
* Total stone material is 8430 tones.
* Total 40,000 stone pieces.
* Total stone structure 85,000 cu. Ft
* The length of the Mandir is 213 feet
* The width of the Mandir is 122 feet
* The height from the ground is 78 feet
* The width of main dome is 23' 3"
* The Mandir has tapered ceiling.
* Inside and outside 'parikarama' for devotees to circumambulate around deities.
* Number of Shikhars (pinnacles) is 5.
* 4 Small Pinnacles (Samaram)
* Number of small domes is 6 and one large dome.
* Number of Torans (arches) is 129.
* Number of Zarukhas (balconies) is 4
* Number of Sinhasans (throne) is 9.
* Number of windows is 14.
* Number of Pillars is 151.
* 75 ceilings with 39 different designs
* Apart from this the Mandir has numerous windows and pillars, which are intricately carved, and also marble steps.
* Central heating and cooling.
* Under floor heating with Gel tubing.
* Fiber optic lighting.
* Estimated cost of the Swaminarayan temple is $19 million.

Other Interesting Facts
* The pillars of the temple are intricately hand-carved and each pillar depicts a famous incident from Hindu scriptures.
* The construction of the Mandir is based on 'Shila Shastras' ancient Hindu text dealing in building and sculpture techniques.
* Some stones like marble and limestone were imported from the respective countries to India.
* The stones were hand-carved in India and later imported to United States.
* Intricate geometric patterns, rosettes, feathers, leaves and other designs which number to more than 500 were hand-carved in India.
* Each section of the temple weighing from 50 grams to five tons after carving in India had a bar code.
* Each section thus imported was then assembled in Lilburn just like playing the jigsaw puzzle.

Be Kind!

"The positive effect of kindness on the immune system and on the increased production of serotonin in the brain has been proven in research studies.
Serotonin is a naturally occurring substance in the body that makes us feel more comfortable, peaceful, and even blissful.
In fact, the role of most anti-depressants is to stimulate the production of serotonin chemically, helping to ease depression.
Research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness.
Even more amazing is that persons observing the act of kindness have similar beneficial results.
Imagine this!
Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved!"

~ Wayne Dyer, 21st Century Spiritual Teacher
from The Power of Intention

I Am Lost!!

A man hated his wife's cat and he decided to get rid of it. He drove 20 blocks away from home and dropped the cat there. However, the cat was already walking up the driveway when he approached his home.

The next day, he decided to drop the cat 40 blocks away but the same thing happened.

He kept increasing the number of blocks but the cat kept coming home before him.

At last he decided to drive a few miles away, turn right, then left, past the bridge, then right again and another right and so on until he reached what he thought was a perfect spot and dropped the cat there.

An hour later.... The man calls his wife at home and asks her, "Jen is the cat there?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" asked his wife.

Frustrated the man said," Put that damn cat on the phone, I am lost and I need directions to reach home!!!

Moral: How much ever we dislike somebody; someday we might need their assistance.

Chocolate Maths:: TrY It

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

Don't tell me your age , the Hershey Man will know!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

This is pretty neat.

DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute .
Work this out as you read ..
Don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!

1. Pick the number of times a week you'd like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator(or use the one listed under 'accessories' on your computer)

5. If you already had your birthday this year add 1759 ...
If you haven't, add 1758.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week)

The next two numbers are


YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!)

2009 IS THE ONLY YEAR IT WILL WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.
Chocolate Calculator

Good Evening!!!

"Give thousand chances to your Enemy to become your friend,
but never give a single chance to your Friend to become your Enermy"

Have a nice day

We have 3 stupid stages of life

Teen age:

Have Time + Energy …but No Money

Working Age:

Have Money + Energy …but No Time

Old age:

Have Time + Money …but no Energy
--
If you are not expecting anything in life,
Then you are living the real life ...

Nothing is IM Possible

37 Ways to Make a Difference to Yourself and Others

37 Ways to Make a Difference to Yourself and Others
- By Anolia Orfrecio Facun


"Making a difference" is not just a scheduled event or activity, but a moment any time when a person finds it in his/her heart to do something good, to care or to share, or to make a voluntary contribution to another individual, a community, or our society.

When we consciously give or do whatever we can to help maintain the wellness of individuals and families in our communities, these acts also contribute to the best quality of life of everyone in our society.

Let us continue to gather more bright ideas for our own lives and our surroundings.

Let's now begin to count the ways and put them into action.

The TIME has come... We say 'No more to gloom and doom!'

It is time to rise to our true potential... to experience total wellness in every area of our lives, contributing to solutions to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in our communities.

It is time for each of us to care more, to shine, and to carry the light of HOPE everywhere!

No one individual or one group, not even our government, can do it alone!

This is the time that we need each other most, to work together, joining our hands together in making a difference.



For YOURSELF:


1. Smile more often! Be amazed of how many will be happy to smile back at you. Besides, this is the best facial exercise you can make to delay aging signs -- so smile!



2. Eat right! Boost your immune system by eating more natural food, like fresh fruits and vegetables. This alone can significantly reduce your weight and health concerns.



3. Exercise regularly. The reason is not just to lose weight, but it's a great habit to maintain good health by improved circulation, elimination of body toxins, etc.



4. Drink water more than 'colored drinks' for your health. Water has no sugar or additives.



5. Read and learn more. Devote time and money for self-improvement, the best investment you can make that truly pays off.



6. Love, care, give, and share more. This practice is the very purpose of your life.



7. Keep believing. Pray. Nurture your spirit. This won't cost you any, but help or answer to your needs can be just a prayer away.



For those YOU CARE ABOUT:

8. If you love them, then say it and show it! Do not take them for granted. They need both to hear and see you care.



9. Spend more quality time with them. It is what they'll remember most.



10. Visit, write, call those you haven't for a while.



For our SENIORS:



11. Give a helping hand and cheers -- cooking, cleaning, or whatever they are limited to.



12. Give a ride or offer to carpool with them whenever there's a need.



13. Involve them on activities that will continue to stimulate their senses, or they can contribute their gathered wisdom.



For our CHILDREN or YOUTH:

14. Walk or create programs for youth to benefit them and rally for their good future.



15. Give them more opportunities to explore and develop their natural gifts and talents, express their dreams and goals.



16. Encourage our children more by your words and example. Stay positive! .



For our VETERANS: (For the freedom we now enjoy is due to their sacrifices.)

17. Send cards or anything to show you remember and appreciate them.



18. Recognize them and give a smile, a salute, or high-five when you see them around.



19. Support their events and fundraising efforts to help them.



For our HOMELESS Citizens: (Just like you and me, they need care and understanding.)

20. Encourage them by taking time to help them get the help they need/resources to get back on track.



21. Volunteer in your local shelters. There are many ways you can help or contribute.



22. Help create more programs to help them get out of their situation.



For our VOLUNTEERS: (For helping us make things happen.)



23. Big "thank you!" note or anything to show your appreciation of them.



24. Join them and be prepared to do a random act of kindness anytime.



25. How about "volunteers appreciation day" to celebrate them and have a good break?



For our ENVIRONMENT: (We only have one planet, so we must take care of it.)

26. Clean and plant trees with your workmates, neighbors, etc. anywhere permissible.



27. Recycle consciously, not just plastics and papers, but clothes and others you can share. Clean up your closet, garage, or storage for everything that you don't need. Do a yard sale or simply drive to or call local charities for pickup. This is one recycling to meet needs of others.



28. Learn more of what's causing the global warming and contribute to preventions/solutions.



For ALL of US:

29. Sing, dance, be happy no matter what. Brighter days are yet to come!



30. Speak the truth. Seeking the truth can set someone free.



31. Notice and say something good or positive to someone, and mean it.



32. Learn survival techniques. Always be prepared for any emergency.



33. Accept yourself. You are gifted and blessed more than you know.



34. Be forgiving and understanding as you seek forgiveness and understanding.



35. Learn how to budget or how to manage your money. Spend only on needs and the money that you actually have.



36. Be involved in your community in making good things happen!



37. Will you support me on my personal goal to make a difference (i.e., to reach at least three million people everywhere to bring HOPE and more OPPORTUNITIES for people to live better lives)?

Food consumption - comparison

Look At The Food They Bought For One Week And The Number Of Persons In The Family

GERMANY :
The Melander family of Bargteheide - 2 adults, 2 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07

UNITED STATES:
The Revis family of North Carolina - 2 adults, 2 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: $341.98

JAPAN:
The Ukita family of Kodaira City - 2 adults, 2 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25

ITALY:
The Manzo family of Sicily - 2 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11

MEXICO:
The Casales family of Cuernavaca - 2 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09

POLAND:
The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna - 4 adults, 1 teenager
Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27

EGYPT:
The Ahmed family of Cairo - 7 adults, 5 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53

ECUADOR:
The Ayme family of Tingo - 4 adults, 5 teenagers
Food expenditure for one week: $31.55

BHUTAN:
The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village - 7 adults, 6 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03

CHAD:
The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp - 3 adults, 3 kids
Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23

A Infant Pregnant

One year old child found Pregnant in Saudi Arabia. Doctors say it’s a unique case for this World!!!

Medical Science Report says: When the mother of this child was pregnant, she had 2 fetuses inside her, but one of the fetus grew inside the other, this is why this girl was born with the other fetus inside her womb. Any way doesn't this prove that GOD is the only MIGHTY POWER