When discussing the finest tourist spots in the city or even in India, this location is always at the top of the list. Why is this the case? What about this place that is so amazing that everyone can’t get enough of it? The Akshardham Temple in Delhi is one of the world’s largest and most opulent Hindu temples, standing majestically on the banks of the Yamuna River.
The divine establishment is well-known for its captivating architectural design, divine prayers, and devotion. It is a destination for tourists from all over the country to attend various festivities and events throughout the year.
Location: NH 24, Akshardham Setu Address: NH 24, Akshardham Setu, New Delhi, 110092 Opened on November 6, 2005 Creator: Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the creator. Constructed by: Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha built it (BAPS) Inspired by: HH Yogiji Maharaj was an inspiration (1892-1971 CE) Timings: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., except Monday; ticket counters close at 6:00 p.m. The time needed: 3–4 hours The nearest metro station is Akshardham on the Noida-bound Blue Line Aarti. 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Arms, shoulders, chest, navel, and legs must all be covered. Date Established: November 6, 2005 Photography is not permitted. Electronics and mobile phones are not permitted. Outside food is not permitted. There is parking available. Water Bottle: Only clear bottles are permitted. |
Overview
The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and various Hindu epitomes who have had a massive effect on Hinduism. The Akshardham temple, built in 2005, houses over 200 idols of multiple gods and avatars.
The temple built, entirely of sandstone and marble, took over 8,000 workers and 300,000,000 hours to complete. Visitors to the temple can embark on a spiritually rich journey based on ancient Hindu techniques for achieving eternal peace and serenity.
In short, the Akshardham complex is a haven of peace, holiness, and calm where visitors, in spirit pray and partake in various spiritual events.
The Story of Its Inception
The story behind it is the most common thought in people’s minds while wandering the realms of Akshardham Temple. Was it an amazing architectural project waiting to, realize?
Was it a visionary’s idea and conceptualization? The answer can certainly begin in the past. Specifically, in 1968 Yogiji, his saint named Maharaj expressed his desire to build a temple on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Yogiji was the head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha at the time, a religious group formed by Swaminarayan. He was a yogi and ascetic whose life and teachings resurrected the central Hindu practices of Dharma (duty), Ahinsa (nonviolence), and Brahmacharya (celibacy). A temple should represent everything that an entity stands for. At the same time, it contained a vision of it becoming an architectural landmark and a stunning beauty.
The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Government of Uttar Pradesh have been drawn on to implement the property and plans. The project started in April 2000 and Akshardham temple, sacral on November 6, 2005.
Akshardham Delhi Architecture
The Akshardham Mandir, built of pink sandstone and marble, is the focal point of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex. Swaminarayan Akshardham Delhi is a sprawling complex that includes the main temple, beautifully landscaped gardens, exhibitions, open courtyards, and water bodies. Each section presents an intriguing aspect of Hindu religion and spirituality.
- Garbhagriha – Located in the heart of the Akshardham complex, the Garbhagriha houses a massive Bhagwan Swaminarayan idol. Several murtis of Hindu connoisseurs are leading up to the idol, intended in various poses depicting eternal loyalty to Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
- Mandovi – The entire Akshardham complex, standing at a staggering 25 feet in height and 611 meters in length, is one of the most splendid temples built over 8 centuries. The temples additionally hold a Guinness World Record for the same.
- Gajendra Peeth – Gajendra Peeth, located in the lower pradakshina, is an elephant hymn. Its architecture also depicts an ancient tradition involving the Mayamtam, Shilpa Ratnakar, and Diparnav, among other elephant carvings and sculptures.
Special Activities and Attributes to Look Forward to
1. Akshardham Temple, the main temple-
- It stands majestically at 141.3 feet high and 316 feet wide. It consists of about 234 beautifully carved pillars.
- It has 9 ornately decorated domes and 20 quadrangle peaks. The temple contains approximately 20,000 Hindu idols.
- The famous Swaminarayan statue is 11 feet long and is descry under the central dome.
- Other great sages’ statues surround the main deity.
- Statues also represent other Hindu gods and goddesses. Each figure of Akshardham Mandir is a frame of its five metals called Panch Dhatu.
The Boat Ride
- The most popular exhibition at Akshardham Delhi is the Boat Ride Sanskruti Darshan.
- It is a 12-minute cultural boat ride. Visitors sail across sets depicting ancient Indian lifestyles and advancements on this ride.
- The boat ride at Akshardham Temple takes you through enthralling representations of the Vedic marketplace, and Yoga practices, a game of Chess, an old classroom set up at Takshashila, various stages of surgeries performed in ancient India, and so on.
The Fountain of Music
- The Musical Fountain (also known as the Yagnapurush Kund) is India’s largest step well, measuring 300 by 300 feet and featuring exactly 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. Yes, you don’t have to travel to a remote village in Rajasthan to see a step well; the largest one is at the Akshardham Temple.
- Even though the site serves as a rest stop for thousands of visitors during the day, the evening is reserved for an enigmatic Musical Fountain Show.
- It’s a unique and exciting way to represent the circle of life.
Thematic Garden
- The charming Akshardham Gardens has two meticulously manicured premium-themed gardens.
- The first garden, Bharat Upvan, offers a relaxing ambiance that influences many Indian cultures.
- The lush green grassland also includes the bronze landmarks of some of India’s greatest role models.
Akshardham Temple Exhibition
- Along with its architectural wonders, Akshardham Temple attracts visitors with an incredible array of exhibitions organized in three massive halls, each offering a unique experience. Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan, and Sanskruti Darshan are the three halls.
- An exhibition show at the temple runs from 10 am to 8 pm. The ticket office is open until 7 pm. In the show, he performs every 30 minutes and stands in both Hindi and English.
- There are no individual show tickets available. Visitors can purchase exhibition tickets from the Akshardham ticket counter and enjoy all of the shows.
When Should You Go?
The best time to visit Akshardham is between October and November, the winter season in Delhi. The temperatures are not too high at this time of year, so visitors can peacefully explore the entire complex.
Akshardham Temple Timings :
- First Entry: 09:30 a.m.
- Last update: 06:30 PM
- Exhibits are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays.
How to Reach Akshardham Temple, New Delhi
| Mode of Transport | Details |
| By Road | By Cab/Taxi or By Bus |
| By Rail | The nearest Railway Station is New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) |
| By Air | The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) |
Akshardham Temple Delhi Entry Fee
- Adults pay ₹ 250 to enter Akshardham Temple in Delhi (Exhibition)
- Children pay ₹ 150 per person (Exhibition)
- Senior citizens pay ₹ 200 per person (Exhibition)
- Adults pay ₹ 90 per person (Musical Fountain)
- Children pay ₹ 60 per person (Musical Fountain)
- Senior citizens pay ₹ 90 per person (Musical Fountain)
- Both the Musical Fountain and the Exhibition are free for children under the age of four.
All Akshardham Temples are listed here:-
- There are over a thousand Swaminarayan temples worldwide. A few of the most notable Akshardham temples outside of India are-
- Sydney’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Melbourne’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir; Perth, Western Australia’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Brisbane, Queensland: Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Adelaide, South Australia’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Fiji’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Titbits for Visiting Akshardham Temple
- Mobile phones, cameras, headphones, and other electronic devices are not permitted.
- Wrap your shoulders, neck, navel, and legs with apparel.
- Try not to miss the nighttime fountain concert.
- Outside food is not permitted, but vegetarian food is available on the temple grounds
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