Akshardham in Delhi

About Akshardham in Delhi history, timings and entry fee details

Akshardham is the place in Delhi dedicated to Swami Narayan. The place is a perfect example that takes back you to 10,000 years of Indian Culture and it showcases the essence of ancient Indian Architecture, timeless spiritual messages, and traditions. The word Akshardham means “Abode of the Lord” in Hinduism. The Swami Narayan Akshardham was inaugurated on November 6^th 2005 and is regarded as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple by Guinness World Record.

The temple complex was built within 5 years by the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha known as BAPS. The construction of the complex was an effort of 11,000 artisans and thousands of BAPS. The temple houses statues of Hindu Gods and Goddess such as Lord Rama and Goddess Sita; Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha; Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati Devi.

Akshardham in Delhi History

Swami Narayan in his childhood was unlike other children and was very spiritual and devotional. He came out of his family in heavy rain and was saw on the banks of River Yamuna where the complex was built at present. His father and mother accepted him to be a saint and left him. From then on he used to live the same as Saint.

The place is situated on the banks of River Yamuna River and is inaugurated by Dr A.P.J Abdul Kamal in 2005. The complex is the perfect example of Pancharatra Shastra and Vastu Shastra. The prime minister of India at that time Mr Manmohan Singh and the opposition leader Mr L.K Advani attended the inauguration function.

Architecture of Akshardham

Akshardham in Delhi was constructed with Marbles and Pink Sandstone. The Akshardham Mandir is at the center of the Complex. The complex is constructed in a vast area that comprises of all the main Hindu temples surrounded by the gardens, open courtyards and water bodies, and exhibitions where each section presents an intriguing aspect of Hindu spirituality and religion.

The complex strictly followed the traditional Vastu and Pancharatra Shastras. The complex displays the detailed carvings of animals, flowers, musicians, dancers, and Hindu gods and goddesses. The complex construction used materials like Carrara marbles and Rajasthani Red Stones. More than 6000 tons of pink sandstones were brought from Rajasthan.

The temple was majestically with a height of 141.3 feet and is spread around 316 feet. The complex comprises 234 pillars with beautiful carvings. The main statue of Swami Narayan is 11 feet long and is placed under the central dome. The statues of the Hindu gods and Goddess and also the main shrine will be surrounded by other great sages. Each statue in the Akshardham was constructed with 5 metals called Panch Dhaatu.

The entrance has great huge majestic gates. There are 10 gates which represents 10 directions. Tourists enter through Bhakti Dwar also known as Gate of Devotion to enter the Akshardham. There are 2 other Mayur Dwars also called Peacock Gates. Between the 2 Mayur Dwars is the ‘Charnarvind’ where the place has a huge replica of Swami Narayan Footprints. The footprints were also comprised of 16 holy symbols where all the four sides are built-in marbles and was surrounded by water showers. 

Inside Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple has many things to visit and do. The temple consists of Garbhagruh, Mandapams. One can see the number of Mandapams inside the temple.

Garbhagruh is the inner part of the temple that consists of idols of Bhagwan Swami Narayan along with other saints and Gods and Goddesses.

There are several numbers of Mandapams inside the Akshardham temple. They are Paramhansa Mandapam which is 72 feet high decorated with carvings. Ghanshyam Mandapam, 38 feet high which is built on 8 pillars and showcases a wide dome. Lila Mandapam, 72 feet high, which as 4 faced pillars. Neelkanth Mandapam adorned with 8 sided pillars and dome. Smruti Mandapam is the place where Swami Narayan’s clothes, hair, footprints and beads etc. are preserved. Sahajanand Mandapam is 32 feet high, where Bhagavan sat under the neem tree. Bhakta Mandapam has 148 statues of followers of Swami Narayan. Purushottam Mandapam is the place where Swami Narayan is along with his devotee Akshar.

Akshardham also houses Mandovar, Narayana Peeth, Gajendra Peeth or Elephant Plinth, Yagnapurush Kund, Thematic Gardens, Abhishek Mandap, Narayan Sarovar.

Mandovar – Mandovar is the outer part of the temple and is one of the largest in the country. The place consists of 2000 stone sculptures of great saints and avatars of Hindus. The height of the place is 25 feet and the length is 611 feet. Each layer of the place has the great carving representing the Hindu life, god, and spirituality.

Narayan Peeth – This is the path where devotees can offer pradakshinas to the temple in Akshardham. The path is 60 feet long.

Gajendra Peeth – The lower pradakshina path of Akshardham temple is the Gajendra Peeth. The path represents the architectural style of the base of elephants at palaces and temples.

Yagnapurush Kund – This is the traditional place of wells. This kund can be reached at 2800 steps and 108 small temples. 29 feet high statue made of bronze of Neelkanth Varni is places in front of the stepwell.

Thematic Gardens – The thematic gardens around the Akshardham showcases great Indian personality’s sculptures. There are 2 gardens at the temple complex. Bharat Upvan in the garden with a vast spread of lush greenery with ancient worriers, freedom fighters, national leader and other famous persons of India. Yogihriday Kamal is another garden built in the shape of Lotus Flower.

Abhishek Mandap – In this Mandapam devotee can offer abhishekam for Neelkanth Varni idol.

Narayan Sarovar – The Narayan Sarovar is the place that is surrounded by water bodies. The water in this place is treated as the holy water as from over 151 rivers and lakes the water is brought here. Some of the rivers and lakes include Manikarnika Ghat, Prayag Triveni Sangam, Pushkar Sarovar, River Ganda, etc.

Exhibition at the temple

Apart from the attractive architecture, the temple attracts a wide range of exhibitions that are organized in 3 huge halls. The 3 halls in the temple part are Sahajanand Darshan, Sanskruthi Darshan, and Neelkanth Darshan.

Sahajanand Darshan – The place is known for its Hall of Values, Sahajanand Darshan exhibits various varieties of family harmony, non-violence, morality to prayers and many more.

Sanskruti Darshan – Sanskruti Darshan is the most attractive place in the exhibition. The place is famous for the Boat ride. It is the cultural boat ride that takes 12 minutes ride. This activity takes the visitors to the Vedic marketplace, game of Chess, ancient set up of classroom at Takshashila, Yoga Practice and number of stages of Surgeries done in India anciently.

Neelkanth Darshan – Neelkanth Darshan is the huge theatre with huge screen and houses over 1000 seats for seating. A movie will be played on the life of Swami Narayan (Biography) how his journey and how he became a saint. The movie was shot in 108 locations and has more than 45,000 casts.

Akshardham Musical Fountain

One of the major attractions for the tourists is the musical fountain show. The show will be conducted at Yagnapurush Kund. The show will start around 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. A multitude of technologies are used, such as varied colors of lasers, underwater flames, water jets, sound, and video projections.

Akshardham in Delhi Timings

The timings for entry are done from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

For thematic garden, the entry is from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM. The entry will be closed at 6:30 PM.

The timings for the exhibition shows are held from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The entry counter will be closed at 7:00 PM.

The Boat ride timings are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and the ticket counter will be closed by 7:00 PM.

Entry Fee

The entry for the complex, Mandir and Gardens are for free.

For Exhibition:   Adults from 12 years and above – Rs 170

                                For senior citizens from 65 years and above – Rs 125

                                Children from 4 to 11 years – Rs 100.

For Musical Fountain:    Adults from 12 years and above – Rs 30

                                                Senior Citizens – Rs 30

                                                Children – Rs 2

Things Allowed into the complex

Jewelry; Gents and Ladies Wallets; Passports; Shoes; Belts; Infant’s Food.

Things Not Allowed inside the Complex

Electronic devices like Mobiles, Cameras, Pen Drives, and Hand Free, etc.; Food and Drinks; Shoulder straps and hanging bags; toys; Alcoholic products, etc.

Dress Code

All the respectable dresses that covers shoulders and knees.

How to Reach

Akshardham is accessible from all the major cities in India. The nearest is the metro station is Swaminarayan Akshardham which is one kilometer and a 12-minute walk.

Delhi Airport to the place – 23 KM

Delhi Railway station to the place – 15 KM

Delhi Bus Station to the place – 16 KM

Address

Akshardham, Noida Mor, New Delhi, Delhi, 110092, India

Contact Number

For More details and tour booking and for hotel bookings please contact – 8500898000, 9393939150 or visit our site www.tripnetra.com