Sight Address : Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple,National Highway 24, Near Noida More, New Delhi, Delhi, 110092 Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Swaminarayan Akshardham, ornate temple architecture on sandstone is intricate and reflects the essence of India’s ancient traditions and timeless spirituality. The magnanimity of the complex is the first thing that strikes you about Swaminarayan Akshardham.The sprawling complex is spread across 30 acres on the banks of Yamuna near Noida Mor in East Delhi. The main monument is an architectural marvel in pink sandstone and white marble, covered with 20,000 sculptures and statues of deities and 234 ornate pillars. The temple is 42-meter-high (141 feet), 95-meter-wide (316 feet) and has eleven 22-meter-high (72 feet) domes and decorative arches. You will notice that the whole monument rises on the backs of 148 elephant sculptures, each sporting a unique posture, and a 3 meter (11 feet) panchdhatu statue surmounting the structure.There are three exhibition halls for which you need to buy entrance tickets, namely ‘Sahajanand Darshan’, ‘Neelkanth Darshan’, and ‘Sanskriti Vihar’. The first is an insight into the life of Swaminarayan by depicting important events that were a turning point in his life through life-size dolls in a recreated village setting. The second, Neelkanth Darshan is a documentary on the life of Swaminarayan, the hardships he faced and how he received enlightenment at such a tender age, in a huge I-Max theatre screen. Conclude this spiritual journey with a 12-minute boat ride through Sanskriti Vihar, down a narrow stream past robotic depictions of important events and schools of the 10,000-year-old Indian culture.If you have some more time at hand, do catch the light and sound show in an amphitheatre setting. It’s quite a spectacle. Before leaving, stop by at the souvenir shop, and maybe pick up some incense sticks, and marble artefacts adorned with colourful inlay work.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple.in Delhi
HistoryEdit
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple building had been planned since 1968 as a vision of Yogiji Maharaj.Yogiji Maharaj, the spiritual head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha at the time, expressed his desire for wanting a grand temple built on the banks of the Yamuna river to two or three devotee families of Swaminarayan that resided in New Delhi at the time.[29] Attempts were made to start the project, however little progress was made. In 1971, Yogiji Maharaj died.In 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Yogiji Maharaj’s successor as the spiritual head of BAPS, started to continue fulfilling the dream of his guru Yogiji Maharaj and prompted devotees to look into the possibility of building the temple in Delhi. A request for the plan was put forward to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), and several different places were suggested, including Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. Pramukh Swami Maharaj stood firm in following the wishes of Yogiji Maharaj to build a temple on the Yamuna.In April 2000, after 18 years, the Delhi Development Authority offered 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land, and the Uttar Pradesh Government offered 30 acres (120,000 m2) for the project.[30] Upon receiving the land, Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed puja on the site for success in the project. Construction on the temple began on 8 November 2000 and Akshardham was officially opened on 6 November 2005, with the building being completed in two days short of five years.This beautiful structure and masterpiece architecture was built under the support and funding of the Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The temple was inaugurated on November 7, 2005 by Pramukhswami Maharaj (Leader of BAPS).It is built along the river Yamuna and lies over an area of around 100 acres with beautiful gardens, water fountains and carved pavilions. The temple took complete two years for completion and a hefty sum of rupees was invested in the construction. According to estimates, around 2 billion was spent in the construction of this masterpiece which indeed depicts the great Hindu religion.The architecture of Akshardham temple is similar to the one at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The main monument at the temple is about 141 feet high with a beautiful statue of Lord Swaminarayan. There are various structures within the temple which depicts the history and culture of Hindu Religion.
Must SeeEdit
Must see
Visiting TimeEdit
9:30 am–6:30 pm
Closed OnEdit
Monday
Best Season to VisitEdit
October to March
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning,Afternoon & Evening
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
3:0 hrs To 4:0 hrs
Ticket Required : No Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : No Edit
Approximate cost: N.A.
Dress Code (If Any) : No Edit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
- The Oberoi Hotel ; Opposite Delhi public School Dr Zakir Hussain Marg New Delhi, DL 110003 ; Ph/M – 011 2436 3030 ; Food Serve – N.A.
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : This place is well connected by road the taxi service is available for this destination. Call 40406060 to get cab at any place and to anywhere in Delhi.Price will be – Indica Vista (New) 10.00 Rs/ km, Indigo cs /Swift Dezire (New) 12 Rs/Km, Tavera (New) 13 Rs / km, Xylo (New)13 Rs / km, Innova (New)13 Rs / km,XUV-500 (New)16.00 Rs/km,BMW (New)80.00 Rs/km,Audi (New)90.00 Rs/km,Honda City (New)30.00 Rs/km,Tempo Traveller (New)17.00 Rs/km, Corola (New)30.00 Rs/km Honda-crv (New)40.0Rs/km,Mercedes (New)90.00 Rs/km.
Bus : Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this sight, which is located in North Delhi.
Train : For foreigners, it’s easiest to make ticket bookings at the helpful International Tourist Bureau 23405156; 1st floor, New Delhi train station; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat, to 2pm Sun). Do not believe anyone – including porters – who tells you it has shifted,closed or burnt down and don’t let anyone stop you from going to the 1st floor of the main building for bookings. When making reservations here, if you are paying in rupees you may have to provide back-up money exchange certificates (or ATM receipts), so take these with you just in case.
Air : International and domestic flights all leave from and arrive at the airport’s gleaming new Terminal For flight inquiries, call the international airport (0124-3376000; www.newdelhi airport.in). At the new Terminal 3 there are 14‘nap & go’ rooms with wi-fi , a desk, TV and bed (₹315/hr). For comprehensive details of domestic air routes, see Excel’s Timetable of Air Services Within India (₹55), available at news stands When making reservations request the most direct (quickest) route. Note that airline prices fluctuate and website bookings with some carriers can be markedly cheaper.
Jagson Airlines (23721593 Vandana Bldg, 11 Tolstoy Marg)
Kingfisher Airlines (23730238; 42N-Block, Connaught Place).
Others : METRO The new high-speed metro line is the best way to get to/from the airport, and runs between New Delhi train station and Dwarka Sector 21, via Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan NH8 (Mahipalpur station) and Indira Gandhi International station (Terminal 3). Trains operate every 10 minutes from 5am to 1am. Cycle-rickshaws are still in use in parts of Old Delhi, though they have been banned in Chandni Chowk to reduce congestion. Let’s hope they’re not banned in other areas, as they’re the best way to get around Old Delhi – the drivers are wizards at weaving through the crowds. Tips are appreciated for this gruelling work.
Things to CarryEdit
Carry your sunshades, sunblock cream and a bottle of drinking water.
Safety / WarningEdit
Mobile phone, bag, food, pets, camera and electronic items are not allowed,Keep your tone low while exploring the temple
HelplineEdit
Fire – 101
Ambulance – 102
Child Helpline – 1098
Women Helpline Number : 1091
Accident & Trauma Service – 1099
Police Control Room Number : 100
Tourist City Information Service – 1286
