Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

Delhi, Delhi, Delhi

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.

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

Temple EXHIBITIONS Ticket Window
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

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.