Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi – Address, Timing, Entry Fee

Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi at Evening (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

Swaminarayan Akshardham is a jewel located at India’s capital, New Delhi. It is a unique complex which portray rich Indian Culture, Indian Values, Indian Art, Wisdom and Heritage. Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi was build just in 5 years with the help of 11,000 volunteers and artisans and occupies a vast 100 acre site. It has been certified as the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple by Guinness World Records. Mentioned below is a complete guide to Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi – Address, Timing, Entry Fee.

Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi was built by Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It was opened on 6th November 2005 by Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam and is a major tourist attraction built on the bank of river Yamuna which attracts 70% of major tourists visting Delhi. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha – a world wide socio-spritual NGO,  is the organizer of Swaminarayan Akshardham.

While inside Swaminarayan Akshardham

1. Watch the Key attraction of Akshardham

a. Entrance gates

• Ten Gates: The ten gates in the complex resemble the Vedic tradition of inviting goodness from everywhere to all the visitors. They also denote the ten principal directions described in Indian culture.
• Bhakti Dwar (Gate of Devotion): Bhakthi Dwar resembles the gate of Devotion. Offering devotion to god and his choicest devotee is the genuine form of worship. 208 sculpted dual forms of god and his devotees decorates this splendid gate. Bhakthi Dwar celebrates the Vedic tradition of dual worship.
  

  Entrance Gates – Bhakti Dwar (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

• Mayur Dwar: Mayur Dwar (Peacock Gate) is enriched with lot of peacock sculptures. The two Mayur Dwar pay tribute to the joy and color peacocks add to life.Also read –
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  Entrance Gates – Mayur Gate (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

b. Footprints

Carved in white marble are the holy footprints (charanarvind) of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Water is continuously showered on them from four auspicious conch shells. This footprints are located between two Mayur dwar.

c. Akshardham Mandir

Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

The grand Akshardham Mandir is the major attraction of the entire complex. The mandir is built from pink stone and white marble without using steel. A serene, 11 ft-high, gold-plated murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is seated in the center of the Mandir. Swaminarayan is surrounded by images of the faith’s lineage of Gurus depicted either in a devotional posture or in a posture of service. Each murti is made of paanch dhaatu or five metals in accordance to Hindu tradition.

Garbhagruh (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

Elegant murtis of Shri-Radha-Krishna, Shri Shiv-Parvati, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan and Shri Ram-Sita are also present in the mandir premises.

Clockwise – Murtis of Shri-Radha-Krishna, Shri  Shiv-Parvati, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan and Shri Ram-Sita (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

Akshardham Mandir is 109 m long, 96 m wide and 43 m high. The external wall of the Mandir includes murtis of Ganeshji, sculpted figures of Indian’s great rishis, sadhus, devotes and divine incarnation.

Carving on the exterior of Mandir walls (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

The bottom of the Mandir’s exterior wall has a lot of images of Gajendra (elephants) in different forms. The 148 stone elephants in different shapes, postures and styles called ‘Gajendra Peeth’ are really worth watching.

Gajendra Peeth (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

d. Exhibitions

Exhibitions are another interesting part of Akshardham Mandir. There are mainly three exhibitions comprising of Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan, Sanskruti Vihar. The exhibition ticket cost is Rs. 170 for Adults, Rs. 125 for senior citizens above 60 years and Rs. 100 for children age 4 to 11 years. The timing for the exhibition is from 10.00 A.M to 8.00 P.M. The time required to see the entire exhibition is 105 minutes. Refreshment and washrooms are available at the entry and exit of each exhibition.

• Shajanand Darshan (Hall of Values): This is a 50 minutes exhibition that depicts the life and values of Bhagwan Swaminarayan through films, light, dialogues, music and sound shows with robotic figures. It also portray universal values of mankind like honesty, peace, courage, faith, devotion to god and endeavor.
  

  Sahjanand Darshan (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

• Neelkanth Darshan (Journey of Neelkanth): This is a beautiful 40 minutes film on life and travel of 11 year old child saint Neelkanth who was later known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The film takes viewers on an exciting pilgrimage through the majestic Himalayas and India’s scared places, festivals, traditions and values through it amazing cinematography.
  

  The Film – NilkanthDarshan (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

• Sanskruthi Vihar(Boat ride): This is a spectacular 14 minute boat ride through 10,000 years of Indian culture which flourished on the banks of the Saraswati. It talks about the discoveries and inventions of India’s ancient scientist, Nobel kings of India and different traditions in India through 800 life like statues.
  

  Boat Ride – Star Gazing (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

• Yagnapurush Kund and Sahaj Anand water show (Musical water show): A replica of traditional Hindu yagna kund in made in the Mandir complex through a large lotus shaped Yagnapurush kund. In evening the Yagnapurush Kund is transformed into a spectacular 15 minutes Musical Fountain show that depicts the cycle of birth, life and death as started in the Indian philosophy. The show is a good blend of laser, light, fire, fountain, projection and live acting to portray an attractive and spiritual presentation of an important chapter from the Kena Upanishad.
  

  Sahaj Anand Multimedia Water Show (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

e. Narayan Sarovar (Holy lake)

Narayan Sarovar is a holy lake surrounding the main building from three sides. Holy water from from 151 rivers and step-wells visited by Bhagwan Swaminarayan has been ritually added to this lake. Water flows in the lake through 108 gaumukhs.

Narayan Sarovar (Holy lake) sourrounding the Mandir (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

f. Yogihriday kamal (Lotus of Sage’ s Heart)

Yogihriday Kamal is a 8 petal lotus shaped creation inspiring faith in God and faith in mankind. It features large stones engraved with quotes from Shakespeare, Martin Luther King & Swami Vivekananda among others.

Yogiriday Kamal (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

g. Bharat Upvan (Cultural Garden)

Bharat Upvan is a 22 acres beautifully cultivated and artistically designed garden situated opposite to the Mandir. The garden has bronze statues of India’s great men, women and children.

Bharat Upvan (Photo courtesy http://www.akshardham.com/)

2. Enjoy pure vegetarian food at Premvati food court:

Refreshment are available at all the entry and exit points of the exhibitions. Also, there is a food court known as Premvati food court in the complex where one can enjoy fresh and pure vegetarian food and drinks.

3. Shop at Akshardham Souvenir Shop

Akshardham Souvenir Shop has a wide range of enlightening and informative books, audio and video publication, viewcards, mementoes, gift items, workship items, Amrut Herbal care products at a cheaper rate.

Insider tips:

Address: 

Noida Mor, Pandav Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110092

How to reach: 

Akshardham is situated at National Highway 24, Akshardham Setu in New Delhi.

It is 6km distance from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station and at a distance of 350m from the Akshardham Metro Station (approximately 5 minutes’ walk from metro station).

Budget:

Rs 200 per person excluding food, car parking, donation and buying of gifts. The Mandir darshan is free. Changes for other activities are:

Time required to visit the entire complex: 

3 to 4 hours

Timings:

The complex is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday.

Akshardham Comple First Entry               : 9.30 A.M

Akshardham Comple Last Entry               : 6.30 P.M

Mandir Darshan                                        : 9.30 A.M to 8.00 P.M

Mandir Arti                                                : 10.00 A.M and 6.00 P.M

Darshan and Pooja at Abhishek Mandap :  9.30 A.M to 8:00 P.M

Exhibitions Ticket Window timing              : 10.00 A.M to 5.00 P.M

Water show is available in the evening after sunset.

Who can visit? : 

It is a must watch for everyone.

Photography/Video Charges:

Photography and video are strictly prohibited inside the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir premises. The picture used here is from http://www.akshardham.com .

Happy travelling!! 🙂