The soil in Soami Bagh is sandy and foundations laid on it could not be expected to support the weight of such a massive structure. Hence, it was considered necessary to sink 52 wells to be connected with arches on which to build its walls. The wells are of different sizes, their diameters varying according to the requirements of the main structure in different places, from 5.5 feet to 10.5 feet and depths from 40 feet to 45 feet so as to reach the layer of hard soil, technically called ‘Mota’, in each case. The masonry of the foundation wells consists of bricks and lime. The wells have been filled with brick, concrete and lime. On the top of each well is constructed a base consisting of huge blocks of stones of 6 sq.ft and 2.5 feet thick in two layers. Over the bases, arches of stones 2.5 feet thick, in two cross layers, have been constructed and the wells thus connected with one another.
The main structure consists of a hall, 68 feet by 68 feet surrounded by verandahs 15 feet wide on all sides. The width of the walls is 3 feet. The main structure is 110 sq.ft. There is a 55 feet broad platform round it, thus making the whole structure 220 sq.ft. The platform is 15.5 feet above the ground level. In the platform, there are 52 rooms, 13 on each side. The rooms are 10 feet broad but of different lengths. They have been provided with a verandah 8 feet broad. In front of this verandah, all around there is again a platform 10 feet broad with 4 steps all round leading to a 20 feet broad canal having water 5 feet deep. Beyond this canal there will be a road 20 feet wide paved with red sand stone. The floor of the main hall will be exactly 20 feet high above the level of the red sand-stone road. On each of the four corners of the verandahs there is a Burj (pinnacle). In the south west corner, the Burj will meet ‘Bhajan Ghar’, and the platform in front of the verandah of the rooms in the plinth will merge in ‘Bhajan Ghar’ and so also the canal. In order that Bhajan Ghar may remain intact, it is proposed to let the water of the canal flow to its south and west.
The sacred well in the garden is considered to be an important relic. It is exactly on the north of the flight of stairs leading to the main entrance from the outer edge of the canal. Another well on the south of the steps has also been made to preserve the symmetry. The first storey of the verandahs is 21.25 feet high and has a gallery 4 feet 7 inches wide jutting into the main hall. This may be especially useful for accommodating ladies at the time of congregational services. The height of the second storey of the verandahs is 20.25 feet at which level the height of the main hall reaches 41.4 feet. At a further height of 14 feet by means of corbelling series of semi-circular arch rings one over the other, octagonal plinth of the dome is formed on the outer side. To form a circular ring above the plinth, masonry in cement on the inside of a total height of 13.25 feet is projected. It is decorated with hill scenery. Here the diameter of the dome is 54.5 feet. The outside of the hill scenery forms the neck of the dome. The second gallery for visitors to go and see the dome work and also for labourers for cleaning etc. has been provided 6.75 feet above the hill scenery on projecting masonry. There is a colonnade of round pillars 11.25 feet high above the foot of the gallery all round it, as though it forms the neck of the inside arch of the dome. On the outside, the base of the dome over the neck is 14.75 feet and the lower outer segment of the dome which is 39 feet high over the basement proper is 11 feet thick of brick in cement in 3 rings with 3 inches thick marble panels on the outside and over this ring rises the cap of the dome 91 feet above the lower semicircular arch. Above this cap there is a golden copper Kalash 32 feet high. Thus, the verandah pillars are octagonal in shape. They are marble monoliths 6 feet, 5 inches high and 21 feet in diameter, supported on a carved base 11 feet thick of marble 31 sq.ft and covered with elaborately carved caps 21 feet thick of marble 31 sq.ft. To add to the beauty of the elevation on the north and south, 8 round pillars on each side have been provided on projecting masonry. To give a clear idea of what the structure would be like and for the future guidance of engineers, architects, artists, workers. etc., a miniature model has been prepared. It was completed in June 1928.The scale of the model is 21 feet equal to 1 inch.
ARCHITECTURAL BEAUTY
A look at the model of the building, together with the details given above, and the exquisite beauty of the relief carving in marble and the inlaid stone work done so far, would give some idea of the grandeur of the building, as it will stand when completed. Even as it is, the Samadh and its miniature model are visited by thousands of tourists every day. The building has an oriental setting, but different styles of architecture have been beautifully blended to denote the catholicity of the Radhasoami religion, which has, among its members, peoples of different nationalities. For the same reason, monograms have been provided in different characters, viz. Hindi, Persian and English. In a building of this kind it is natural that construction should go slow, principally due to the elaborate and exquisite marble carving and variegated and exuberant ornamentation, which are the special features of this building. Such work, involving intricate details, cannot be done expeditiously. A single large marble slab, with its skilled carvings of fruit trees, flowers and foliage, takes years to complete it.
Ceilings of the verandahs have been constructed with marble slabs 4 inches, 5 inches and 6 inches thick and about 2 sq.ft fitted into one another, without the support of steel or any other girders. The ceiling is certainly a remarkable feat of engineering skill and design. Entire expenditure on the construction of the building is met from spontaneous and voluntary Bhents or offerings by Satsangis, under the administration of the Central Administrative Council, Soami Bagh, Agra.
Five or six months after the departure of Soamiji Maharaj, Huzur Maharaj started construction of the Samadh of Soamiji Maharaj on this very spot (of elevated land), which was completed in 1879. This Samadh was very small and simple and was built of red sandstone. When His Samadh was constructed at that spot, it became clear that by Guru Dwara, Soamiji Maharaj had meant His Samadh. Regarding the construction of Holy Samadh of Soamiji Maharaj, Huzur Maharaj was pleased to observe that - "It is very essential and proper that a suitable building be constructed in memory of the
August Founder of the Radhasoami Faith and Revealer of Surat Shabd Yoga. This will enable
the Satsangis of all the countries to assemble at the headquarters of the Faith where Radhasoami
Dayal manifested Himself in the human form. They would meet there at some appointed time.
Observing their love and devotion and spiritual progress, they would derive mutual advantage.
There, they may also explain and understand the principles of the Radhasoami Faith. Thus,
they would strengthen the bond of Love and fellow feeling by cautiously giving out their
spiritual experiences. This will augment their love and faith, mutual affection and spiritual
unity. In this way, they would all help in the propagation of their unique religion and its
easy and unparalleled spiritual practice. For this purpose, there can be no other suitable
place than the Radhasoami Bagh (Soami Bagh), where Radhasoami Dayal Himself stayed for some
time, where His Holy Samadh has been erected and where His photo and other holy relics have
been preserved".
When Huzur Maharaj was Post Master General, He used to go off and on to various states for opening new post offices. The Maharaja of Gwalior State gladly made a present of Rs. 10,000/- to Him which He initially refused, but later accepted after approval from the Government. The above sum was spent on the construction of Soamiji Maharaj's holy Samadh and the boundary walls of Soami Bagh.
In 1904, for the first time, in His Mauj, Maharaj Saheb conveyed that a magnificent building be constructed. "Just as Radhasoami Faith is a unique Faith to illuminate the entire world with the brightness
of its spirituality, where people of all nationalities, all religions are included and can
join; the Samadh of Param Purush Puran Dhani Soamiji Maharaj, the first Sant Sat Guru who
revealed the Radhasoami Faith, should similarly have a beautiful amalgam of the diverse and
varied styles and forms of architecture from all races and nations". Thus, the idea of erecting a magnificent and stupendous Samadh building befitting the memory of the August Founder of Radhasoami Faith, first occurred to Maharaj Saheb, the third Sant Sat Guru of the Faith. Accordingly, the foundation was laid by Him in 1904. The date of foundation laying was Baisakh Shukl Panchmi, Wednesday, Samvat 1961 Vikram, corresponding to 20
th April 1904.
Babuji Maharaj appointed Lala Tota Ram as the Supervising Engineer, Samadh Works, Soami Bagh. Agra. Lala Tota Ram joined on 1
st December 1907. The present hall of the Samadh was constructed in 1925 using the same foundation that was laid in 1904 for the Samadh of Soamiji Maharaj. While delivering a discourse on August 23, 1937 in the open Satsang held in the Samadh hall, Babuji Maharaj was graciously pleased to pronounce - "If replica of Sat Lok is there on the surface of earth anywhere, it is here, it is here,
it is here.
"Saying or thinking that the Samadh is also a temple is not proper. It is also not proper to think that one will obtain salvation through Samadhs. The ashes of the past Sants have been kept in Samadhs and doing this is an indication of
the regard and reverence towards them. Samadhs are constructed at the places where the Sant
Sat Gurus presided and held Satsang. By visiting and paying obeisance, a transformation takes
place in the mind, such that it gets inclined towards Parmarth. Therefore, visiting the Samadhs,
paying obeisance and performing Satsang there is in practice and is considered proper ".
There is a spiritual significance to the measure of '68' in the 68 sq.ft main hall. There are said to be 68 places of pilgrimage. Hence by visiting Holy Samadh of Soamiji Maharaj, one will earn as much spiritual sanctity or derive as much spiritual benefit, as one does by visiting 68 pilgrimage sites, of course in the mood of sincere devotion.
Read Less..