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Akshardham Temple Delhi

The Swaminarayan Akshardham complex, also known as Akshardham Temple, is a traditional Hindu shrine located in Delhi that embodies Indian spirituality, culture, and architecture. The magnificent temple honours the 18th-century Indian yogi and spiritual being known as Swaminarayan. Delhi’s Akshardham, dubbed the largest comprehensive Hindu temple in the world by the Guinness World Record, is renowned for its tranquilly, innovative exhibitions, expansive campus, and artistic splendour. It makes sense that Akshardham is one of the best tourist destinations to visit after leaving your Delhi hotel for a sightseeing excursion.

Here is everything you need to know about the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, including its opening and closing times, ticket costs, location of the closest metro station, directions, and musical water show.

Akshardham Temple Delhi, Information

LocationNH 24, Akshardham Setu
TypeHindu Temple
Also Known asSwaminarayan Akshardham
Timings10:00 am to 8:00 pm; closed on Mondays  
 Entry closes at 6:30 pm
Aarti Timings10:30 am to 6:30 pm
Temple Entry FeeFree
Exhibition Fee₹250 for adults (12 years and above); ₹200 for senior citizens (60 years and above); ₹150 for children (4 to 11 years); free for children below 4 years
 Combined ticket for all three exhibitions
Exhibition Tickets Timings11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Dedicated toBhagwan Swaminarayan
Year of Establishment2005
Commissioned byPramukh Swami Maharaj
Constructed byBochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
Material UsedRajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble
Architectural styleBased on the principles of Maharishi Vastu Architecture and influenced by ancient architectural styles from across India
PhotographyNot allowed
Mobiles and ElectronicsNot allowed
Nearest Metro StationAkshardham Metro Station
Dress CodeUpper wear that covers your upper arms, chest, naval, and shoulders and below knee-length bottoms
Contact InformationPhone: +91-11-4344 2344
Email: info@akshardham.comweb: akshardham.com

Akshardham Temple, Delhi: History

Shri Yogiji Maharaj’s desire to build a temple complex in Delhi led to the construction of Swaminarayan Akshardham, also known as Akshardham Mandir Delhi. The idea came to him in 1968 when he was the spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). But Pramukh Swami Maharaj, his successor and the fifth spiritual guide after Bhagwan Swaminarayan, was the person who actually initiated the construction of the temple.

For the construction of this temple, the Uttar Pradesh government donated 30 acres and the Delhi Development Authority donated about 60 acres of land. The construction project was completed within five years, which began in 2000. Located on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Akshardham Mandir was opened to the public on 6 November 2005. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurated the temple in the presence of many prominent personalities including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, L.K. Advani, B.L. Joshi and the then Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

The Swaminarayan Mandir, built by BAPS, is one of the largest temples in Delhi and all over India. More than 8,000 people contributed more than 300,000,000 hours of their time to the construction of this temple.’

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Akshardham Temple, Delhi: Architecture

Akshardham Temple in Delhi exhibits ancient and medieval forms of Hindu architecture that were popular throughout India. The main temple, which was constructed using the principles of Vastu and Pancharatra Shastra, is located in the middle of the complex. Known as Akshardham Mandir, the main temple is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high.

The temple represents the culture and spiritual richness of India with its over 234 carved pillars, 20 quadrangular shikharas, 9 ornate domes and 20,000 sculptures of spiritual personalities of India. The walls and ceilings of the temple have carved themes and depictions of flowers, dancers, musicians and deities.

The entire complex of the Akshardham Temple is a superb piece of intricate art with impeccable craftsmanship. Pink sandstone from Rajasthan and Italian Carrara marble were used in the construction of the temple. It is encircled by several water features, open gardens, a stepwell-style courtyard, and other buildings.

Akshardham Temple, Delhi: Today

Currently, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi is the Akshardham Temple Complex. Its huge size and extraordinary beauty attract tourists from all over India and beyond. It is perhaps the largest temple complex built in India in the last eight centuries. The Guinness Book of World Records declared this temple the largest comprehensive Hindu temple in the world in 2007.

Things to See in the Akshardham Temple Complex, Delhi

The Delhi compound of Akshardham Temple has a number of worthwhile attractions. Among them are:

  • elaborate entranceways
  • The primary temple honouring Bhagwan Swaminarayan Abhishek Mandap is called Akshardham Mandir.
  • Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan, and Sanskruti Darshan are the three exhibitions.
  • The Garden of India is a vast 60-acre themed garden with bronze statues depicting Indian warriors, heroes, and notable figures.
  • The Lotus Garden, also known as Yogi Hraday Kamal, is home to stones inscribed with quotations from global thinkers, scientists, and leaders.
  • A body of water called Narayan Sarovar holds the waters of 151 sacred rivers and lakes from all over India.
  • Water Show or Musical Fountain
  • The complex’s vegetarian food court, Premvati Ahargruh

Exhibitions at Akshardham Temple, Delhi

Akshardham Mandir has three different exhibitions that are thought-provoking, educative, and inspiring. Housed in three huge halls, these exhibits combine the latest technological advancements with art and culture. Akshardham has ticket windows for the exhibitions, and they are open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

1. Sahajanand Darshan (Exhibition Hall 1)

It is called the Hall of Principles, and uses multimedia and animatronic figures to demonstrate various principles, including morality, non-violence and perseverance. The eternal ideals of Hindu culture are also communicated through the use of cutting-edge methods such as immersive projection and 3D dioramas.

  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Languages: Hindi and English (separate shows)

2. Neelkanth Darshan (Exhibition Hall 2)

The 40-minute film Neelkanth Yatra showcases the spiritual and cultural splendor of the country in this huge theatre. The film narrates the pilgrimage undertaken by Bhagwan Swaminarayan during his adolescence.

  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Language*: Hindi

3. Sanskruti Darshan (Exhibition Hall 3)

In this exhibition hall, visitors can explore India’s 10,000-year-old glorious heritage through a boat ride. During the trip, you can see exhibitions depicting some of India’s most important achievements. For some examples, there are exhibitions depicting a classroom from Takshila University and a Vedic bazaar.

  • Duration: 15 minutes
  • Language*: Hindi

Musical Fountain or Water Show at Akshardham Temple, Delhi

The unique multimedia water show known as Sahaja Anand is one of the highlights of Akshardham Mandir in Delhi. Using video projection, coloured lasers, water jets, underwater flames and surround sound, this amazing show tells the story of a chapter from Kena Upanishad.

  • Duration: 24 mins
  • Language: Hindi
  • Timings*: Starts at 7:45 pm
  • *The first show is held after sunset. Multiple shows are often held during public holidays and weekends
  • Ticket Prices: ₹90 for adults; ₹60 for children (4 to 11 years); free for children below 4 years

How to Reach at Akshardham Temple

Here are some ways to go to Akshardham Temple using various means of transportation:

By Train: Anand Vihar Railway Station is the closest train station to Akshardham Temple. The temple is around 5–6 kilometres distant from the station. You can get there by taxi, auto-rickshaw, or other public transit choices.

By Metro: The Delhi Metro is a well-liked and practical way to get around the city. The closest metro station to the temple is Akshardham Metro Station. It is located on the Delhi Metro’s Blue Line. You can walk or take a short rickshaw or auto-rickshaw ride from the metro station to get to the temple.

By Airport: The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is the primary airport that serves Delhi if you are travelling there by air. To get to Akshardham Temple from the airport, you can use app-based ride services or hail a cab. The distance between the airport and the temple is roughly 25–30 kilometres, and the time it takes to get there may change depending on traffic.

Other Structures at Akshardham

The Akshardham complex contains a number of additional buildings and sites in addition to the main temple. Here are a few of them:

Sahaj Anand Water Show: Held in the evenings at the Yagnapurush Kund, which resembles a stepped well, this is a spectacular multimedia water show. Viewers are mesmerized as the presentation depicts an ancient Indian legend using water, light, and sound elements.
The centerpiece of the Akshardham Mandir is the Yagnapurush Kund, the world’s largest stepped well. Over 2,000 statues of various divine entities can be found on the steps of the artistically constructed kund.
Neelkanth Abhishek: The abhishek ceremony and formal aarti are held in honor of Lord Swaminarayan at this place. The ceremony is open to devotees.
The Narayan Sarovar is a sacred body of water that surrounds the main temple. Its perimeter is walkable, allowing guests to enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

List of Akshardham Temples in the World

The teachings and tenets of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Akshar Purushottam school of thought served as the inspiration for the construction of various Akshardham Temples across the globe. A list of some of the well-known Akshardham Temples is provided below:

  • Akshardham Delhi, India: The Akshardham Temple in Delhi is one of the most famous and largest Akshardham complexes in the world. It was inaugurated in 2005 and attracts millions of visitors every year.
  • Akshardham Gandhinagar, India: Located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, this Akshardham Temple is the original and the first of its kind. It was consecrated in 1992 and is a significant spiritual and cultural centre.
  • Akshardham Robbinsville, USA: Also known as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, this Akshardham Temple is situated in Robbinsville, New Jersey. It was inaugurated in 2014 and stands as a prominent place of worship and community engagement for Hindus in the USA.
  • Akshardham London, UK: Located in London, England, this Akshardham Temple is a grand structure inaugurated in 1995. It serves as a spiritual and cultural centre for the Hindu community in the UK.
  • Akshardham New Jersey, USA: Situated in Secaucus, New Jersey, this Akshardham Temple serves as a significant religious and cultural center for the Hindu community in the USA.
  • Akshardham Kolkata, India: Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, this temple is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, and attracts devotees and visitors from the region.

Other Places to See Near Akshardham

There are plenty additional well-liked sights and attractions close by. Delhi is a tourist destination with a wealth of historical, cultural, and landmark sites. The following locations are accessible from Akshardham:

Humayun’s Tomb: Approximately 5–6 kilometres away from Akshardham, Humayun’s Tomb is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a stunning mausoleum that served as the model for the Taj Mahal.

India Gate is a famous war memorial and a representation of India’s bravery. It is located around 7 miles from Akshardham. Both locals and visitors like to unwind and wander around here.

Red Fort (Lal Qila): Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Red Fort is a set of mediaeval fortifications located about 8 kilometres from Akshardham. For almost 200 years, it served as the Mughal rulers’ primary palace.

Lotus Temple: Approximately 6 km away, the Lotus Temple is a stunning example of contemporary architecture and a Bahá’í house of worship. It is renowned for its serene atmosphere and design inspired by lotus flowers.

Qutub Minar is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Delhi’s most well-known landmarks. It is located around 15 miles from Akshardham. With a height of 73 metres, it is among India’s tallest minarets.

Lesser-known Facts about Akshardham Temple, Delhi

  • The terms Akshar, which means forever, and Dham, which means habitation, are combined to form the name Akshardham. Akshardham, thus, signifies the home of the eternal one.
  • This temple structure has eleven welcoming gates.
  • To extend the temple’s longevity, neither steel nor concrete were employed in its construction.
  • The largest Yagnapurush Kund in the world is located inside the temple.
  • For the design of this temple, around 11,000 craftspeople were engaged.
  • The Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra are the inspiration for the design of the temple’s food court, Premvati Ahargruh.

Delhi’s Swaminarayan Akshardham is more than just a temple—it’s a trip through the centre of ancient India. Therefore, plan a day to see this must-see location in the nation’s capital. Every minute you spend here will be enjoyable!

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Virtual Tour in Delh for Freei: Monuments, Musuems, and Temples · June 7, 2024 at 3:48 pm

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