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My Favorite Place in India
Our motherland, India, has a rich history and is filled with sacred places. From the majestic Himalayas in the north to the beautiful ancient temples in the south, there are countless places worth exploring, each telling its own story.
Think about a place you have been to in India that left a lasting impression on you. Or, if you haven’t been to India, think about which place you would like to visit when you get a chance to go. What is so special about this place? |
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My favorite place in India is Manali. I love it because of its beautiful nature, majestic mountains, cold climate, and kind people. I first visited Manali when I was seven years old, and since then, it has been my favorite place. There are many exciting activities to try when you visit Manali!
Nitya Soni (12)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, INDIA
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My favorite place in India is Gujarat because that’s where my parents were born. I love the mandirs there and enjoy staying with my relatives. My parents say that Holi and Diwali are really fun in India.
Pujan Tailor (10)
sydney, new south whales, AUSTRALIA
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I visited Delhi Akshardham in January 2025, and I liked the boat ride where we visited the history of ancient India from Vedic times. I also liked the Mystic India IMAX movie. This made my love for my guru, Mahant Swami Maharaj, even stronger!
Dhruv Kamdar (5)
Raleigh, North Carolina, UNITED STATES
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I love the city of Udaipur, Rajasthan. I went there one summer and had so much fun staying with my cousins. I also swam in the hotel pool and went zip-lining the next day!
Rudra Patel (14)
Piscataway, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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I went to Chansad, the birthplace of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and I saw colorful lights all across the mandir. I could even see lights inside the river—isn't that cool? My family and I visited Pramukh Swami Maharaj's house, and OMG, I saw his bed, blanket, pots, kitchen, and so much more! If you ever go to India, you should definitely visit Chansad!
Kashish Patel (12)
Wellingborough(UK), Northamptonshire, UK
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In India, a place that’s truly special and left a lasting impression on me is Delhi. Delhi has many glorious sights, like the Red Fort and other amazing attractions. But the greatest of them all was Delhi Akshardham, such a truly heart-touching place! You can feel the divine bliss of the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami. Delhi Akshardham also beautifully showcases the history of our culture. Plus, Delhi is the capital of India. A great place to visit!
Harsh Patel (12)
Edison, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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One place that left a lasting impression on me was Gadhada mandir. It was so impressive because Maharaj used to live there.
Yug (11)
Robbinsville, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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I had been gone to Chennai for a visa interview. There, I lived in a BAPS mandir. There was also a sabha on Tuesday. I thought there wouldn’t be many people coming, but on that day I saw many people in the sabha and I was shocked. In Chennai, beaches are special.
Ved G Patel (12)
Ahmedabad , Gujarat , INDIA
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Akshardham Delhi is a place I want to visit because I have visited Robbinsville Akshardham, and it has very beautiful architecture. It explains the Hindu culture and religion. It’s a very divine place to be. I want to visit Akshardham in Delhi to have greater in-depth knowledge of my culture. I will like to learn more about the Swaminarayan sampradaya.
Aarohi Trambadiya (10)
Parsippany, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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Ahmedabad is so special because I went there for the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav and it was so much fun!I liked the show called Suvarna and the Secrets of the Sea.
Yashvi (7)
Whippany, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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My favorite place is Dwarka because I love Lord Krishna and I mostly go to him and his life lessons he gave to us in old shastras. I have not been to Dwarka but have heard miracles of Bhagwan Krishna that have happened to people.
Vriya Patel (12)
Winnipeg, MB, CANADA
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One place that I have been in India that has left a lasting impression on me was the Pramukh Swami Shatabdi Nagar. It had beautiful architecture, intricate skits, and much more! It was a life-changing place to go. With all the hard work of the karyakars and volunteers, the nagar came to life for millions of people to see and forever remember. My favorite part of the nagar was the Glow Garden. It had glowing plants, shinning animals, and beautiful carvings. I am so happy I got to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event, and I hope something this big will occur again in our sanstha.
Niyati (13)
Shiloh, Illinois, UNITED STATES
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My favourite place to go in India is to the Mandir’s because I would like to go to places that I have never been too like the Mandir’s over there.
Mihir (11)
Flushing, NY, UNITED STATES
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A very special place for me in India is when I visit my family that lives in Dabhoi. When I visit I feel connected to my family. Visting the mandir and my great grandparents makes me feel like I have achieved Swamis rajipo by refreshing my Gujarati roots.
Prisha Patel (13)
Charlotte, NC, UNITED STATES
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My Favorite place in India is Gandhinagar Akshardham. It is Gandhinagar Akshardham because I like seeing the beautiful architecture and doing darshan of the murtis of Maharaj and Swami.
Veer Patel (13)
Brentwood, New Hampshire, UNITED STATES
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One place in India that will really leave a lasting impact on me for the rest of my life is the Akshar Deri in Gondal Mandir. It felt like a place of eternal peace, and my mind felt nothing else besides the feeling that Mahant Swami Maharaj was standing right beside me.
Param Patel (11)
Edison, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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When I went to India, I went to Gandhinagar Akshardham. It was a very nice place. I loved the carvings and the texture they had put into it. I had really a lot of fun there. I loved the way they treated us. It was probably one of the most nicest Mandir’s I have ever been to.
Akshat Patel (10)
Bear, Deleware, UNITED STATES
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I want to visit the Gandhinagar Akshardham, because it was the first ever Akshardham to be ever built and the architect of the Mandir is amazing!
Agna Patel (11)
Hightstown, New Jersey, UNITED STATES
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A special place to me is Nadiad because the mandir there inspires me to go for darshan, and it helps me have a good day.
Rudra (10)
Bel Air, Maryland, UNITED STATES
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I visited Surat Akshardham site and also went to Mahuva BAPS mandir.
Vikas (11)
Hopkinton, Boston MA, UNITED STATES
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I remember, on my last visit to India, I had been to the beautiful Himalayas of Sikkim and West Bengal. It was so much FUN!!! The hotels were great and the beautiful views! Sikkim is actually the only state in India that has banned plastic. We had been to Zero Point and saw the Teesta River. I also remember seeing yak, a rare species found only in the mountains. The Maggi noodles there were really delicious, too! From the places we'd visited to the food we had eaten, Sikkim has earned the title, "Best Place I've Been To In India!!!"
Khush Bhavesh Dave (12)
Cumming, Georgia, UNITED STATES
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A place in India that has left me a lasting impression has been the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi which dazzled me with its beautiful and divine architecture and cultural gardens.
Aarav Patel (16)
Albany, Georgia, UNITED STATES
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Visiting Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi was an incredible experience. The grand architecture, intricate carvings, and the breathtaking Akshardham itself, made of pink sandstone and marble, left me in awe. The food court added to the experience with delicious Indian dishes like samosas, kachoris, and refreshing lassis. The perfect blend of spirituality, beauty, and amazing food made our visit truly memorable and unforgettable.
Manan Patel (13)
BROWNSBURG, IN, UNITED STATES
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My favorite place in India is Anand, a place where you get to see the coolest statue. I mean the one in Pramukh Swami Maharaj Circle! It’s so cool!!!
Maahi (11)
Frisco (DFW), Texas, UNITED STATES
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In 2022, my family and I went to Rajasthan and we went to so many different places including kingdoms that were made in mountain sides and were thousands of feet high. They were filled with very unique, antique furniture.
Mayur (14)
Orangeburg, South Carolina, UNITED STATES
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My favourite place is Gondal Mandir because the murties in that mandir are my favourite. I always remember them in my puja every day.
Jay Patel (10)
Redbridge, Lindon, UNITED KINGDOM
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My favourite place is Gondal mandir because it has Mahant swami Maharaja's favourite Ghanshyan Maharaj murti.
Chintan Patel (7)
Redbridge, London, UNITED KINGDOM
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My favorite place in India is spending time with Bapa wherever he may be!
Maharshi Mahajan (10)
Lansdale, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES
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One place that I went to and loved is Vadtal.Vadtal is special because I can do darshan of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and talk to him. I think it is also special because I can see where Bhagwan Swaminarayan wrote the first Shikshapatri
Neeva Patel (11)
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
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I would like to visit Baroda to see the Statue of Unity.
Krish Patel (10)
Woodridge, il, UNITED STATES
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I remember last time we went to India was for PSM100. I remember the shows and all the things we saw when we went there. We even got to see Swami Bapa. This was my favorite part!!
Naiya Patel (12)
Sugarland, Texas, UNITED STATES
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I would love to visit Sarangpur again because when I was 4, I did darshan of Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Sarangpur for the first time. That day was the best and the most memorable day for me.
Tithi patel (13)
Nashville, Tennessee, UNITED STATES
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My favorite place is Sabarmati Ashram. This is where Gandhiji lived and planned the freedom struggle, proving that truth and non-violence can change the world. Walking through the ashram makes me feel inspired by its simplicity and history. It’s more than a place—it’s a reminder of resilience and hope.
Rishika Chudasama (10)
Bharuch, Gujarat, INDIA
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When I went to India, I visited New Delhi in 2017. Although that was a long time ago, I still remember it vividly. My family and I went to see New Delhi Akshardham, and it left a lasting impact on me. This experience was special because I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Akshardham! The environment was holy and peaceful, and doing darshan there was truly wonderful. All in all, it was a great trip to India, and I loved every moment of it!
Ayan Patel (13)
Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES
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I like Ahmedabad because I can play cricket with my cousin’s friends and go to mandirs with my grandma and have darshan of Mahant Swami Maharaj. I also and went to the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Smruti Mandir in Sarangpur for the first time. I had so much fun.
Anay Modi (10)
Henderson, Kentucky, UNITED STATES
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My favourite place in India is Jetpur Swaminarayan Mandir because when I was in India I would always go there with my grandparents, and it was very fun. I really liked the amazing sweets that they gave us.
Dhatri (11)
Dollars-des-ormeaux, Quebec, CANADA
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MyThe air hung thick and sweet with the scent of marigolds and incense as I approached Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi. It wasn’t just a temple; it was a city of devotion, a testament to artistry, and a place where I felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
I remember the first time I saw it—the sheer scale of the pink sandstone and white marble took my breath away. Intricate carvings covered every surface, depicting stories from Hindu mythology, scenes from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, and the wisdom of ancient scriptures. It felt like stepping into a living, breathing history book.
But Akshardham wasn’t just about grandeur. It was the details that truly captivated me. The delicate carvings of deities, the vibrant colors of the murals, the serene expressions on the faces of the devotees—each element contributed to a feeling of profound spirituality.
I loved wandering through the sprawling gardens, where meticulously manicured lawns and vibrant flowerbeds created a tranquil oasis. The Narayan Sarovar, a sacred lake, reflected the temple’s majestic facade, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
One of my favorite experiences was the boat ride through Sanskruti Vihar, a miniature recreation of ancient Indian life. As the boat glided through the canals, I was transported back in time, witnessing scenes of bustling marketplaces, serene villages, and the wisdom of ancient sages. But more than the sights and sounds, it was the atmosphere of Akshardham that drew me back time and again. It was a place where I could escape the chaos of the city and find solace in the beauty and serenity of the surroundings. A place where I could connect with my faith and reflect on the values of peace, harmony, and devotion.
Akshardham was a sanctuary, a place where I felt a deep sense of belonging. It was where I could reconnect with my roots and find inspiration in India’s rich cultural heritage. And that’s why, to this day, Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi remains my favorite place in India.
Angel Patel (14)
Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA
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A place that I have been to in India that left a lasting impression on me is where Pramukh Swami Maharaj grew up—Chansad, Gujarat. I learned that Pramukh Swami Maharaj grew up in such a tiny place that he used to do his homework in a small kitchen, yet he never complained about a single thing. This taught me that we should be happy with what we have.
I even got the opportunity to go inside his home and see where he actually lived. I saw a pair of his sandals, his puja, and even the bed he slept on. I realized how lucky I am to have a big house and a comfortable life, yet Pramukh Swami Maharaj was always grateful for what he had and made the best of it.
Another amazing experience I had was going to the mandir in Chansad, where I got to learn all about Pramukh Swami Maharaj's jivan and hear so many inspiring prasangs. One of my favorite prasangs was when Shastriji Maharaj sent Shantilal a letter while he was playing cricket with his friends. The moment he saw the letter from Shastriji Maharaj saying he wanted to see him, he immediately dropped his game and went to him. This showed his immense love for his guru, which also makes me want to do the same for mine.
Arohi Patel (10)
Eden Prairie, MN, UNITED STATES
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One place in India that left a lasting impression on me is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Akshardham, Delhi. This mandir is not just a spiritual center but also a marvel of architecture and culture. The intricately carved marble and sandstone structures are breathtaking, and the peaceful ambiance creates a perfect space for reflection and tranquility. What makes this mandir special is how it showcases India's rich heritage through its design. The exhibitions inside offer a glimpse into the country’s spiritual history, and the breathtaking light and sound show at night adds a sense of magic, making it an unforgettable experience. It’s a place where spirituality and art come together beautifully!
Jay Amin (14)
Greensboro, NC, UNITED STATES
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