PixelLines
Light Temple for 10th anniversary celebrations
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The amazing BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir (temple) in Neasden,
North West London celebrated
its 10th anniversary in grand
style this year - via illumination
of its immense marble and limestone
exterior with JTE PixelLine
fixtures.
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Over 40 PixelLine units were
utilised in a scheme designed
by the Mandir’s lighting
department. The Mandir also
owns a substantial internal
lighting rig that is utilised
for events and celebrations
throughout the year.
The idea was to make the exterior
look that extra bit special
for the celebration.
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The Mandir is the largest outside
India – measuring 75ft wide
by 195 ft long and 70ft high. BAPS
have lit the exterior before, but
this year they wanted to use LED technology
after being inspired by the results
of permanent architectural schemes
initiated at their sister Mandirs
in Houston and Chicago last year.
BAPS also wanted to use an energy
efficient lightsourse and keep apace
with cutting edge technology …
and PixelLine was the way to go.
BAPS consulted Entec Lighting, a
regular Mandir extra lighting kit
supplier. Entec’s Adam Stevenson
also recommended PixelLine for flooding
the large surface areas and for a
fuss-free temporary installation.
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BAPS used 35 PixelLine 1044’s
– the industry’s
favourite LED batten –
and 10 of JTE’s new PixelLine
110ecs. The 110s were located
around the perimeter of the
Mandir at floor level, titled
upwards to wash the sides and
front of the imposing luminescent
building. 1044s are used to
illuminate the intricate arrangement
of 7 Shikhars (pinnacles) and
6 Ghummats (domes) on the roof.
The scheme was completed with
ten 1044s placed around the
front gate and entrance, all
at floor level.
All units were powered by local
mains. They were controlled
from the Mandir’s ETC
24/48 lighting desk, set on
a slow rolling colour chase
so the white building changed
colour every minute. The show
ran from 7.45pm to midnight
each night for 10 days.
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BAPS is delighted with the
results, “The lights are
fantastic”, “The
colour is beautifully rich and
textured, they each cover a
vast area and the intensity
is amazing. We have had loads
of positive feedback, from those
working in and visiting the
Mandir, and from people who
have just been passing by”
says a spokesperson.
The illuminations were also
a great hit with the local community.
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| About
the Neasden BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir |
The Mandir is an exotic sight
in suburban North West London,
inspired by His Divine Holiness
Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Opened
in 1995, it took only 3 years
from conception to consecration.
The construction consumed 5000
tons of Italian Carrera marble
and 3000 tonnes of Bulgarian
limestone.
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All the quarried stone was shipped
to India where 26,300 pieces
of it were shaped by over 1500
skilled artisan volunteers,
before each numbered piece was
transported to Neasden for assembly
– like a giant jigsaw!
It was designed and constructed
using traditional methods throughout
and contains no steel.
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