The Akshardham Temple, also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, is a very famous Hindu temple in Delhi. This temple attracts at least 70% of the tourists who visit Delhi year after year. Officially opened on November 6th 2005, the Akshardham Temple was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and has featured in theGuinness Book of World Records for being the “World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple" as it is spread over a sprawling 86,342 sq ft.
The main monument standing at the centre of the complex is 141 feet high, 316 feet wide and 370 feet long and is adorned with carvings of flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities. The Akshardham Temple is designed according to an ancient Vedic text, known as the Sthapatya Shastya and is a blend of architectural styles from across India. Constructed out pink Rajasthani sandstone and Italian Carrara marble the temple has no support from steel or concrete.
The monument also comprises of 234 beautifully carved pillars, 9 domes and 20,000 statues of Hinduism’s sadhu’s devotees and Acharaya’s. The monument has a Ganjendra Plith at its base. This plinth pays tribute to elephants and their significance in Hindu culture and Indian history. The temple has 148 scale sized elephants in total that weigh 3000 tonnes.
Inside the monument, under the central dome stands a statue of Swaminarayan which is 11 feet tall and this statue is surrounded by statues of similar gurus of the sect. All these statues are made out of Paanch Daatu (Five Metals) in accordance with Hindu Tradition. The central monument also houses other Hindu deities, like Sita Ram, Radha Krishna, Shiv Parvati and Lakshmi Narayan, among others.
Other Attractions at the Akshardham Temple
Hall of Values
Also known as Sahajanand Pradarshan, the Hall of Values fatures lif-like robotics, displaying incidents from Swaminarayan’s life and his message regarding the importance of peace, harmony and humility and the service of God and one’s fellow men. The Hall of Values is set in 18th century India and displays 15 dioramas through robotics, fibre optics, light and sound effects, dialogues, and music.
Theatre
The theatre is named Neelkanth Kalyan Yatra and is Delhi’s largest and only large format screen, measuring 85 feet by 65 feet. This theatre screens a film specially made for the complex and is called Neelkanth Kalyan Yatra. The film is about the seven year long pilgrimage made by Swaminarayan as a teenager through India. An English version of this film called “Mystic India" was released in 2005 at IMAX theatres and giant screen cinemas worldwide. There is also a 27 feet tall bronze statues of Neelkanth Varni located outside the temple.
Musical Fountain
Also known as Yagnapurush Kund, this is India’s largest step well, featuring a very large series of steps down to a traditional Yagan Kund. During the day the steps provide a place where visitors can rest and during the evening a musical fountain show representing the circle of life entertains visitors seated on the same steps. The fountain measure 300 feet by 300 feet and has 2870 steps and 108 small shrines, below the steps is an eight petaled lotus flower shaped Yagna Kund.
Garden of India
Also known as Bharat Upvan, the garden has beautiful lawns, trees and shrubs. The garden is surrounded by bronze figures of contributors to India’s culture and history. These include sculptures of children, women, national figures, freedom fighters and warriors of India.
AARSH Centre
The Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony also known as the AARSH Centre conducts research on social harmony and related topics. Scholars and students may conduct practical research through AARSH. Research studies have been conducted on education, medicare, tribal and rural welfare, ecology and culture etc..
Narayan Sarovar
Narayan Sarovar is a lake that surrounds the main monument and is believed to contain holy water from 151 rivers and lakes that have been sanctified by Swaminarayan, including Mansarovar.
Yogi Hraday Kamal
This is a sunken garden shaped like a lotus when viewed from above has large stones engraved with quotes by popular personalities from all over the world, including Shakespeare, Martin Luther King, Swami Vivekanand and Swinarayan among others.
Neelkanth Abishek
Devotees come here to offer Abhishek (a ritual pouring of water) on the statue of Neelkanth Varni, as a mark of respect and devotion.
Premvati Ahargruh
This is a vegetarian restaurant modelled on the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra and an Ayurvedic Bazaar. The restaurant serves a wide variety of traditional dishes.
Entry Timings (From July 19th 2011):
- First Entry: 9: 30 am , last entry 6:30 pm
- Exhibitions: 10: 30 am to 6 pm
- Musical Fountain: 7:45 pm (The timings change according to season depending on sunset timings)
- Night Lighting: Saturdays and Sundays only
- Restaurant Premvati: 11 am to 8 pm
- Souvenir Shop: 11 am to 8pm,/li>
- Main Madir and Gardens: One and a half hours
- Hall of Values, Boat Ride and Theatre: Three Hours (Waiting time included)
Entry into the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple Complex is free as well as entry into the Madir and Gardens.
Other Attractions around the Akshardham Temple
There are many other tourist attractions around the Akshardham Temple, including Delhi’s famous India Gate, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial site Raj Ghat, Pragati Maidan, a popular venue for large exhibitions and conventions, and Noida where one can find many interesting markets and malls.
Last Updated on 5/22/2012
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