Daijiworld Media Network

New Delhi, Nov 8: Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were today at the Akshardham temple and Katha Community School, on the third day of their India tour. Prince Charles was also presented with an early birthday gifts in the form of a framed birthday card and a black forest gateau cake by the children of the school.

At the community school, the Royal couple interacted with the little children who live in the nearby slums and attend it. The Prince was impressed with the school's dedicated efforts to help its children rise above the poverty they are surrounded by.

The priests of the temple, in saffron clothing, took the Royal couple around to see the magnificent temple. The Prince appreciated the beauty of the temple that took five years to built and stands without any steel. It is also adorned by hand-crafted sandstone. The main area of the Hindu temple is 141 feet high and 316 foot wide, and holds the Guinness record for being the world's largest. The Sanctus sanctorum of the temple is house to an 11-foot high idol of Lord Swaminarayanan.

Dressed in a dark blue suit, Charles removed his footwear as per Hindu customs when entering a sacred place, as did Camilla who wore a cream coloured outfit. They even offered flowers inside the temple that is not only a tourist attraction but also the main stay for the followers of the Swaminarayan sect.