According to Swaminarayan Hinduism, the name Akshardham means the Lord’s home. It symbolises the peace and holiness of the location where worshippers worship the god and seek their blessings. It is regarded as the divine palace of God on Earth.
However, it is also dedicated to major Hindu Gods’ saints and devas.
There are also statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, Goddess Lakshmi and God Narayana, Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, and Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
My personal experience at Akshardham was very good, as I got to see many great god statues and their story and struggle in their life. There are many places to visit inside Akshardham and my favorite places were the temple, museum, and the light show which is conducted at night time. Let’s discuss it further in more detail.
What Is The History Behind Akshardham Temple?
Swaminarayan Akshardham originated from Shri Yogiji Maharaj’s desire to construct a temple complex in Delhi. However, it was his successor and the fifth spiritual guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who began the temple’s construction.
The Delhi Development Authority granted 60 acres of land and the Uttar Pradesh Government 30 acres for the construction of this temple. Construction began in 2000 and was finished in five years.
Akshardham Temple, located on the banks of the Yamuna, was dedicated to the public on November 6, 2005. Pramukh Swami Maharaj dedicated the temple in the presence of notable persons such as Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, L.K. Advani, B.L. Joshi, and Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s then Prime Minister.
This spiritual site was built by BAPS and is one of the largest temples in Delhi and India. More than 8000 volunteers helped build this temple, which took 300,000,000 volunteer hours to complete.
Other Information Related To Akshardham Temple:
| Type | Hindu Temple |
| Timings | It is closed on Monday and the rest of the day timings are 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM (entry for visitors gets over by 6:30 PM) |
| Location | Noida Mor, Pandav Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110092 |
| Phone No. | 011 4344 2344 |
| Also known as | Swaminarayan Akshardham |
| Entry fees | Free |
| Temple created with | Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble |
| photography | Any electronic devices are not allowed inside the temple. People are requested to submit their mobile phones outside only before entering inside. |
| Dress code | Any decent outfit for both men and women |
What Are The Eye Capturing Places Inside The Temple?
- Musical Fountain or Water Show
The main feature of this temple is the Akshardham Musical Fountain and the water show. It is definitely Delhi’s most popular musical fountain. The show is a remarkable fusion of technology and art. Akshardham Light & Sound tells the story of Kena Upanishad from ancient Hindu scriptures.
This show starts exactly by 7:30 PM and the prices for adults are 90/- and children 60/-
- Thematic Garden
The two gardens on the Akshardham campus enhance the feelings represented by the Ten Gates at the beginning of one’s visit to Akshardham: ‘Many pleasant thoughts come to us from all angles and inspire our lives.’ Both gardens allow visitors to rest while learning about national history and various cultures. These gardens encourage wisdom in their shade, with statues of great individuals and words from throughout the world.
- Bharat Upvan
Through its beautiful gardens and bronze statues of some of India’s famous role models, Bharat Upvan emanates a stunning natural and cultural environment. India’s kid diamonds, valorous warriors, liberation fighters, outstanding ladies, and other national figures instill values and pride in tourists.
- Yogi Hraday kamal Akshardham
The Yogihriday Kamal is a lotus-shaped garden that provides us with the wisdom of great leaders from all around the world and throughout history. It is named after Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the guru whose call to build a mandir on the Yamuna inspired Akshardham.
- Abhishek Mandap
Abhishek is the ritual bathing of a deity in order to have one’s prayers answered. While chanting prayers and mantras, the worshipper pours water over the god.
- Narayan Sarovar
Rivers, lakes, and stepwells have been revered in India since Vedic times. The holy waters of 151 rivers and lakes purified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan are contained in Narayan Sarovar, including Manasarovar, Pushkar Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar, Indradyumna Sarovar, Manikarnika Ghat, Prayag Triveni Sangam, River Kshipra, Rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and many others.
Interesting Facts You All Need To Know:
- The term Akshardham is derived from two words: Akshar, which means forever, and Dham, which means habitation. As a result, Akshardham denotes “the eternal one’s home.”
- This temple complex has eleven welcome gates.
- To maximise the temple’s longevity, no concrete or steel were utilised in its construction.
- The Yagnapurush Kund inside the temple is the world’s largest of its kind.
- This temple was designed by about 11,000 craftspeople.
- Premvati Ahargruh, the temple’s food court, is themed after the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra.
What Is The Best Time To Travel To Akshardham Temple?
The best time to visit Akshardham is between October and November, which is the winter season in Delhi. The temperatures are not too high at this time of year, so tourists can explore the entire complex in peace.
If you want to explore the area before the summer season begins, the ideal months to visit are February and March. The area can take up to 7 hours to explore in its entirety, so visitors should arrive early to avoid disappointment.
What are the Different Ways to Reach Akshardham Temple Safely?
- If taking the Yellow line of the Delhi Metro, get off at Rajiv Chowk metro station and then take the Blue line metro to Akshardham temple.
- The distance between Delhi Airport and Akshardham Temple is approximately 21 kilometers, which can be covered in one and a half hours. Thimayya Marg is the most typical route from the airport to the temple.
- If you are coming from Gurgaon, it will take you about 2 hours or somewhat longer to reach the temple. The distance between Gurgaon and Akshardham Temple is around 43 kilometers, while the distance between Delhi and Akshardham Temple is 31 kilometers, which can be covered in one hour via NH9.
- The journey between Karol Bagh and Akshardham temple is around 12.6 kilometers and takes approximately 50 minutes.
