Akshardham Temple Delhi is a Hindu temple and a spiritual-cultural campus that showcases the art and architecture of Hinduism, with over two hundred murtis, exhibitions, gardens and a message of devotion, learning and harmony. It is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and his teachings, and is located near the border with Noida. It is also known as Akshardham Temple or Akshardham Delhi. It was inspired by Yogiji Maharaj and created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, and was constructed by BAPS. It was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in the presence of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh, L.K Advani and B.L Joshi. It is the world’s second-largest BAPS Hindu temple, following Akshardham, New Jersey, in the U.S.
The temple is built according to the Vastu shastra and Pancharatra shastra, and is made of Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble. It is 43-metre (141 ft) high, 96-metre (316 ft) wide, and 109-metre (356 ft) long. It is intricately carved with flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities. The main shrine is the focal point of the temple and contains the murti of Swaminarayan and 20,000 other divine figures of Hinduism. The temple also has an abhishek mandap, where devotees can offer water to the murti of Swaminarayan.
The temple complex also features three exhibitions that depict the life and work of Swaminarayan and the principles of Hinduism. The first exhibition is Sahajanand Darshan (Hall of Values), which is a walk-through diorama that portrays the incidents from Swaminarayan’s life and his moral teachings. The second exhibition is Neelkanth Darshan, which is an IMAX film that shows the journey of Swaminarayan as a teenage yogi across India. The third exhibition is Sanskruti Darshan (Cultural Boat Ride), which is a boat ride that takes the visitors through the history and culture of India, from the Vedic period to the modern era.
The temple complex also has a musical fountain show called Sahaj Anand, which is a multimedia presentation of the concepts of Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata. The show is held in the evening at the Yagnapurush Kund, which is a large step-well with 108 small shrines. The temple complex also has a thematic garden called Bharat Upvan, which has bronze statues of the great personalities of India, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Shivaji, and Rani Lakshmibai. The garden also has a lotus-shaped monument called the Akshardham Parikrama, which has 2,870 carved stone panels that depict the messages of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas.
The temple complex is a testimony to the architectural and artistic achievements of the Hindu culture, as well as the spiritual legacy of Swaminarayan and his followers. The temple complex is a symbol of the history and heritage of India, and a source of inspiration and pride for its people. The temple complex is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. The entry is free for the temple, but there are charges for the exhibitions and the musical fountain show. The temple complex also has a food court and a souvenir shop for the visitors.
Best Time to Visit Akshardham Temple Delhi
The best time to visit Akshardham Temple Delhi is during the months of October to March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable for outdoor activities. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 25°C, and the humidity is low. This is also the peak tourist season, so you can expect large crowds and long queues at the temple.
You can avoid the rush by visiting the temple on weekdays, preferably in the morning or evening. The temple is closed on Mondays, so plan your visit accordingly. The temple timings are from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, and the entry is free for the temple. However, there are charges for the exhibitions and the musical fountain show.
Tips for visiting Akshardham Temple Delhi
The main tips for visiting Akshardham Temple Delhi are as follows:
Plan your visit in advance: Check the temple timings, entry fees, and exhibition tickets before you visit. The temple is closed on Mondays and on some public holidays. The temple timings are from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, and the entry is free for the temple. However, there are charges for the exhibitions and the musical fountain show. You can book your tickets online or at the ticket counter.
Follow the security guidelines: For the safety and security of the visitors, the temple has a strict no-bag policy. You cannot carry any bags, mobile phones, cameras, or electronic devices inside the temple complex. You can deposit them at the cloakroom for a nominal fee. You also need to pass through a metal detector and a security check before entering the temple. You need to carry a valid photo ID proof for verification.
Dress appropriately: The temple is a place of worship and respect, so you need to dress modestly and decently. You should avoid wearing shorts, skirts, sleeveless tops, or any revealing clothes. You should also remove your shoes before entering the temple premises. You can keep them at the shoe counter for free.
Respect the temple etiquette: The temple is a place of peace and harmony, so you need to respect the temple etiquette and follow the instructions of the staff and volunteers. You should not touch, climb, or lean on any of the carvings, sculptures, or idols. You should not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum inside the temple complex. You should not make any noise, run, or play inside the temple complex. You should maintain silence and decorum in the prayer halls and exhibition halls. You should also respect the sentiments and beliefs of other visitors and devotees.
Enjoy the temple attractions: The temple complex has various attractions that you can enjoy and learn from. You can explore the temple’s architecture, carvings, and idols. You can participate in the abhishek ritual, where you can offer water to the idol of Swaminarayan. You can watch the exhibitions, which depict the life and teachings of Swaminarayan and the principles of Hinduism. You can also watch the musical fountain show, which is a multimedia presentation of the concepts of Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. You can also visit the garden, which has statues of the great personalities of India and a lotus-shaped monument with carved stone panels.
How To Reach Akshardham Temple Delhi
There are different ways to reach Akshardham Temple Delhi, depending on your mode of transportation. Here are some options:
By Metro: The easiest and fastest way to reach Akshardham Temple Delhi is by metro. There is a metro station named Akshardham on the blue line, which is directly connected to the temple complex. You can walk for 5 minutes or take an e-rickshaw for ₹10 per head from the metro station to the temple entrance.
By Bus: There are several bus routes that stop near Akshardham Temple Delhi, such as 118EXT, 355, 469, 534A, 542, 740EXT, and 85. You can get off at the bus stop named Pusta Crossing Akshardham Mandir or Akshardham Temple / Pusta Crossing, which are 13 minutes walk away from the temple. You can also take an e-rickshaw from there to the temple.
By Car: You can also drive to Akshardham Temple Delhi by car, but you will have to pay for parking and deal with traffic congestion. The temple is located on the National Highway 24, near the Noida-Delhi Link Road. You can use Google Maps or other navigation apps to find the best route and directions to the temple.
Timings of Akshardham Temple Delhi
Akshardham Temple Delhi is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. The temple is closed on Mondays and some public holidays. You can visit the temple and its attractions at the following timings:
Mandir: You can see the temple’s architecture, carvings, and idols from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can also attend the arti, which is a ritual of worship, at 10:30 am and 6:00 pm.
Abhishek Mandap: You can offer water to the idol of Swaminarayan and receive blessings from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Exhibitions: You can buy tickets for the exhibitions, which depict the life and teachings of Swaminarayan and the principles of Hinduism, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The exhibitions include a walk-through diorama, an IMAX film, and a cultural boat ride.
Water Show: You can watch the musical fountain show, which is a multimedia presentation of the concepts of Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, after sunset. The current show timings are 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. You can also attend the maha arti, which is a grand ritual of worship, before the first show.
