CONTENTS Introduction 05 Introduction to the case study 09 Aims and objectives 11 Scope and limitations 11 Introduction to the content of the study13 Chapter One 15 1.1 Religion: Swaminarayan Sect 17 1.1.1 Background and Emergence: Swaminarayan sect, one branch of Hindu religion 1.1.2 Brief History: .Bhagwan Swaminarayan. 1.1.3 Swaminarayan Canon and Cosmology 1.1.4 Brief Introduction: .BAPS Sanstha. 1.1.5 Objective of Worship 1.2 BAPS Temple-complex in Gujarat 25 1.2.1 Evolution 1.2.2 Concept and its Development 1.2.3 Characteristics 1.2.4 Principle Values 1.3 BAPS Temple-complex39 1.3.1 Description and Nature 1.3.2 Architectural Implication 1.3.3 Different Activities 1.3.4 Hierarchy of Space 1.3.5 Scale Chapter Two: Selected Case Studies 53 2.1 BAPS Temple-complex at Shahibaug, Ahmedabad 55 2.1.1 Description and Location 2.1.2 Drawings and Analytical Plates 2.2 BAPS Temple-complex, Gondal73 2.2.1 Description and Location 2.2.2 Drawings and Analytical Plates 2.3 BAPS Temple-complex, Sarangpur91 2.3.1 Description and Location 2.3.2 Drawings and Analytical Plates 2.4 BAPS Temple-complex, Gadhada121 2.4.1 Description and Location 2.4.2 Drawings and Analytical Plates Chapter Three 149 3.1 Construction and Building Elements Chapter Four189 4.1 Observation Glossary 199 Selected Bibliography 201