Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
Situated in Delhi, Akshardham Temple or Swaminarayan Akshardham is a famous temple complex that displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. The temple complex which was inaugurated on 6 November 2005, was constructed by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) with the blessings of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The mandir is a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830). The Akshardham temple was presented with the Guinness World Record as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.
Legend
The mandir is a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-
1830), the avatars, devas and great sages of Hinduism. The legacy of Bhagwan
Swaminarayan’s selfless service to all has been continued by the BAPS gurus.
The temple complex was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 with the blessings of HH
Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and
volunteers.
Architecture
The temple complex was built from intricately carved
sandstone and marble. It was built according to the Vastu shastra and
Pancharatra shastra. The complex features an Abhisheka Mandap, Sahaj Anand
water show, a thematic garden and three exhibitions namely Sahajanand Darshan
(Hall of Values), Neelkanth Darshan (an IMAX film on the early life of
Swaminarayan as the teenage yogi, Neelkanth), and Sanskruti Darshan (cultural
boat ride). The main attraction Akshardham Mandir is intricately carved with
flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities and entirely constructed from
Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble. The mandir also consists
of 234 ornately carved pillars, nine domes, and 20,000 murtis of sadhus,
devotees, and acharyas. The mandir also features the Gajendra Pith at its base
that contains 148 life sized elephants in total weighing a total of 3000 tons.
Under the temple's central dome lies the 11-foot (3.4m) high idol of
Swaminarayan seated in abhayamudra surrounded by images of the faith's lineage
of Gurus depicted either in a devotional posture or in a posture of service.
Each idol is made of paanch dhaatu or five metals in accordance to Hindu
tradition. The temple also houses the idols of Sita Ram, Radha Krishna, Shiv
Parvati, and Lakshmi Narayan.
Culture
Delhi is the traditional and present day capital of India.
Delhi stands in a triangle formed by the river Yamuna in the east and spurs
from the Aravali range in the west and south. Delhi is not only the largest
commercial centre in Northern India, but also the largest centre of small
industries.
Darsan Info
Visitors timings: MANDIR
Darshan: 09:30 AM to 08:00 PM
Arati: 10:00 AM and 06:00 PM
ABHISHEK MANDAP
Darshan and Puja
09:30 AM to 08:00 PM
Arati: 06:30 PM
10:00 AM to 06:00 PM
WATER SHOW: After Sunset
(Currently Tuesday to Sunday 07:30 PM)
Maha Arati: Before First Show
Every week Monday is holiday
Exhibition: Fee | Ticket
Adults : 170
Senior Citizen : 125
Child (4-11 yrs) : 100
Child (Below 4 yrs) : Free
Musical Fountain: Fee | Ticket
Adults : 30
Senior Citizen : 30
Child (4-11 yrs) : 20
Child (Below 4 yrs) : Free
Day Closed: Mondays
Photography: Not allowed
Mobiles & Electronics: Not allowed (Cloakroom Available)
Darsan Dresscode
Need to wear modest clothes. Avoid shorts for men
Famous Festival
Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami Diksha Day, Makar Sankranti,
Vasant Panchmi, Shivratri, Ramnavmi
Temple Rituals
Morning pooja and arathi starts from 09:30 AM onwards.
Additional Info
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Haldiram's, Nazeer Foods, Aka Saka Restaurant, Platters Food
Court (inside the Metro Station) and a Pure Veg Canteen inside the Temple.
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