Swaminarayan was born as Ghanshyam Das on 2nd April, 1781 in Chhappaiya Village near Ayodhya. His father’s name was Dharam Das and mother’s name, Prem Devi. At the age of 8, he was well versed in Hindu Scriptures and had won many debates with Kashi Pandits. By the time he turned 11, he left home and travelled throughout India.
Swaminarayan was also called Akshar Purushottam who established Nar Narayan Gaddi of Swami Sampradaay and later on he, alongwith his Sampradaay made 6 SwamiNarayan Temples which had idols of Hindu deities in them. It was Swaminarayan who elected 500 Paramhansa or Nand Santo (whose names ended with Nand) for the temple management. He became Head of the Sampradaaay at the age of 21. Swaminarayan had maintained good relations with British Govt. which is the reason why he was granted land in Ahmedabad where the first temple of SwamiNarayan was constructed. Swaminarayan has written some books also including the very famous Shiksha Patri which was presented by him to the then Governor and is kept in Oxford Library uptil now.
A book named Bhagvaan Swaminarayan, the story of his life, written by Yogi Trivedi mentions him as a great social reformer who not only forbade animal sacrifices in Yagnas but also tried to erase girl child infanticide alongwith giving Importance to women education and empowerment. There are about 18 SwamiNarayan Temples all over the World and one of the oldest ones is situated at Karachi which is made of Italian and Turkish marble and Indian Pink Sandstone and is spread in 32306 sq yards. Few years after its construction, a small Gurudwara was added to it for the small Minority of Sikh Followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji where 3 holy books of the Sikhs are kept in a Palki. Even Mohd Ali Jinnah visited this place. During riots of 1947, an ideal was brought to Khanpur village in Rajasthan. In this temple of Karachi, there were idols of Sitaram, Radha Krishan and other hindu deities and Swami Narayans Birthday, Diwali, Dushehra, Janmashtami and Holi Festivals were celebrated with great Pomp and Show with devotional Bhajans on Janmaashtami and Diyas and candles on Diwali and bonfire and colours on Holi. Even now, people from far and near come for Darshan. Devotees go in groups every now and then and in 1989, a Jathha of pilgrims from India went to Karachi for Darshan. Hinglaj Yatra used to start from this temple only. This temple also had a Dharamshala for the stay of devotees which has now been converted into the office City District Govt. At the time of partition, this place was converted into a Relief Camp where people stayed before coming to India.
Swaminarayan died at the age of 49 and had lakhs of followers till then which kept on increasing.