AKSHARDHAM

Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is a Hindu temple,

and a spiritual-cultural campus in Delhi. 'Akshardham' means the divine

abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and

peace.
Rising over the traffic jams of National Highway 24 on the way to the

eastern suburb of Noida lies a massive, 30-acre temple complex. The

complex is accessible by Delhi Metro. The Akshardham Metro Station is

proximate to the complex.

Completed in November 6th 2005, the pink-stone religious emporium pays

tribute to Bhagwan Swami Narayan (1781–1830), the founder of a

worldwide spiritual movement. It has earned a place in Guinness Book of

world records as “World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple”.

The complex features an Abhisheka Mandap, Sahaj Anand water show, a

thematic garden and three exhibitions namely Sahajanand Darshan (Hall

of Values), Neelkanth Darshan (an IMAX film on the early life of

Swaminarayan as the teenage yogi, Neelkanth), and Sanskruti Darshan

(cultural boat ride). According to Swaminarayan Hinduism, the word

Akshardham means the abode of God and believed by followers as a

temporal home of God on earth.

The main attraction of the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is the

Akshardham Mandir. It rises 141-foot (43 m) high, spans 316-foot (96 m)

wide, and extends 356-foot (109 m) long. It is intricately carved

with flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities.

Designed in accordance with the standards of Maharishi Vastu

Architecture, it features a blend of architectural styles across India. It is

entirely constructed from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara

marble. Based on traditional Hindu architectural guidelines (Shilpa

shastras) on maximum temple life span, it makes no use of ferrous metal.

Thus, it has no support from steel or concrete. 7000 artisans from

Rajasthan, Orissa & Bengal carried out the intricate carvings.

The mandir also consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, nine domes, and

20,000 murtis of sadhus, devotees, and acharyas.[14] The mandir also

features the Gajendra Pith at its base, a plinth paying tribute to

the elephant for its importance in Hindu culture and India's history. It

contains 148 life sized elephants in total weighing a total of 3000 tons.
Bhoomi Pooja

In April 2000, after 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.

Environmental clearance

An amendment to the Government of India's Environment Impact

Assessment Notification of 1994 was made in 2004, which required that

environmental clearance be granted to any parcel of land that falls under

the Yamuna floodplain before beginning any construction activities. Since

Akshardham commenced construction activities in 2000, prior to the

enactment of this amendment, it did not apply to Akshardham.

Laying of Foundation

Initially, the site wasn't considered ideal for construction. As a result, a

deep foundation was imperative. To construct a stable foundation, 15-foot

(4.6 m) of rocks and sand were entwined with wire mesh and topped by

five feet of concrete. Five million fired bricks raised the foundation another

21.5-foot (6.6 m). These bricks were then topped by three more feet of

concrete to form the main support under the monument.

The layout of the complex.

GARBHAGRUH

The inner sanctum or garbhagruh of the Akshardham mandir is home to

Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his divine succession of gurus

MANDAPAMS

The interior of the Akshardham mandir can be divided into nine

mandapams or thematic spaces. These nine mandapams are each filled

with intricately carved murtis and pillars and capped by unique domes

and ceilings.
MANDOVAR

The external facade of a traditional stone temple is known as a

mandovar. Swaminarayan Akshardham's mandovar is the largest, most

intricately carved mandovar built in India in the last eight hundred

years.

NARAYAN PEETH

It is an ancient Hindu tradition to perform pradakshinas or

circumambulations as a sign of respect and prayers. The faithful walk

clockwise around mandirs to reinforce the belief that God should be the

centre of one’s life.

GAJENDRA PEETH

A mandir stands, traditionally and symbolically, on the shoulders of

elephants. In a uniquely creative adaptation, the elephants at the base

of Swaminarayan Akshardham are not just standing still.

ABHISHEK OF NEELKANTH

Visitors can perform abhishek of the murti of Neelkanth Varni - the

youthful, yogic form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This ritual bathing of

the murti is a uniquely participatory ritual, open to all visitors.

THE SHOW

The Sahaj Anand Water Show is a

breath-taking 24-minute presentation

which unites a variety of intriguing

media to bring to life a story from the

Kena Upanishad. Multi-color lasers,

video projections, underwater flames, water jets and surround sound in

symphony with lights and live actors produce a captivating and inspiring

presentation. International experts contributed their expertise with BAPS

volunteers and sadhus to produce this one-of-a-kind presentation

Sahajanand Darshan or Hall of Values

The Hall of Values or the Sahajanad Pradarshan display incidents from

the life of Swaminarayan with the help of

robotics, light, fibre optics, sound effects,

music and dialogues. The incidents leave

messages that tell us about the importance

of peace, harmony, humility, service to

others and devotion to the Almighty. The hall also features the world’s

smallest animatronic robot in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child

form of Swaminarayan.
Nilkanth Darshan [Theatre]

The theatre houses Delhi's first and only large

format screen, measuring 85-foot (26 m) by

65-foot (20 m). The theatre shows a 40-

minute film specially commissioned for the complex, Neelkanth Yatra, to

recount a seven-year pilgrimage made by Swaminarayan made during

his teenage years throughout India.

Sanskruti Vihar [Boat Ride]

The Boat Ride is a 12-minute

journey through 10,000 years

glorious heritage, using life size

figures and robotics to depict life in Vedic India, from family life to

bazaars and teaching.

Musical fountain

Musical fountain, also Known as the

Yagnapurush Kund, is India's largest

step well. At night, a musical fountain

show named Sahaj Anand - Multi

Media Water Show is shown.

Garden of India

Also known as the Bharat Upavan,

this garden has lush manicured

lawns, trees, and shrubs.

Yogi Hraday Kamal

It is a lotus shaped garden, containing stones

engraved with quotes from world luminaries, ranging

from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King, to Swami

Vivekananda and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Narayan Sarovar

The Narayan Sarovar is a lake that

surrounds the main monument. The lake

contains holy waters from 151 rivers and

lakes that are believed to have been

sanctified by Swaminarayan.
Premvati Ahargruh

The Premati Ahargruh/the Premvati Food Court is a vegetarian

restaurant modelled on the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra.

AARSH Centre

The Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony or the

AARSH Centre is a centre within the complex that applies research of

social harmony and related topics. Scholars and students may conduct

practical research through AARSH. Researchers have the ability to carry

out their research projects and affiliate their papers with AARSH. Studies

on education, medicare, tribal and rural welfare, ecology, and culture

are conducted within the centre.

 Vaastu Audit of Akshardham

Location- Ideally a temple should be placed towards East or Northeast of

a city. Akshardham is located on East of Delhi.

It is built on bank of holy river Yamuna. A perennial source of fresh gentle

flowing water is an ideal place for a temple. The river though flows on the

western side (back side) of the temple which is not a positive point.

The temple is built on the Yamuna river bed and is considered a flood

prone area. The complex has been in controversy over environmental

concerns. The soil is not good load bearing type thus the foundation was

reinforced. Due to the location there is constant seepage and termite

problem. Several renovation projects have been undertaken.

Layout - The temple complex has entry from Northeast which is ideal. It

has a parking on the NE side which leaves the area open. The main

temple complex is situated on West of South west and is the highest than

the other buildings which is also ideal.

Main temple - The main door is exactly in the middle of the building

facing east. The idol of Swaminarayan is visible from far away. There are

doors in 3 cardinal directions leaving the west closed. Thus the back of the

main deity is protected by a solid wall.

Architecture – mainly circular and octagonal shapes are used which is

very auspicious. A temple should have ample space for flow of energy

which Akshardham fulfils.

Accessibility – a modern river that is a highway runs on the east (front

side) of the temple complex. It brings in a steady flow of devotees. The

Akshardham Metro Station is situated at close proximity to the complex.

Neelkanth Darshan - Film Viewing- the sitting arrangement is not

good. The screen is not visible from all seats. The ideal projection of film

should be from Southwest (Chaya Graha) towards northeast which not

met.

Garden of India - Also known as the Bharat Upavan is located in East

which is ideal.

Sarovar – is not in east which is not ideal

Brahmasthan – the Brahmasthan is sunken and ideally it should be on

ground level.
 Akshardham Temple: Quick Info

Location NH 24, Akshardham Setu

Type Hindu Temple

Also Known as Swaminarayan Akshardham

Timings 9:30 am to 8:00 pm; closed on Mondays

Entry closes at 6:30 pm

Aarti Timings 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Temple Entry Fee Free

₹220 for adults (12 years and above); ₹170 for

senior citizens (60 years and above); ₹120 for

Exhibition Fee
children (4 to 11 years); free for children below 4

years

Combined ticket for all three exhibitions

Exhibition Tickets
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Timings

Dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan

Year of
2005
Establishment

Commissioned by Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam

Constructed by
Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
 Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara
Material Used
marble

Based on the principles of Maharishi Vastu

Architectural
Architecture and influenced by ancient
style
architectural styles from across India

Photography Not allowed

Mobiles and
Not allowed
Electronics

Nearest Metro
Akshardham Metro Station
Station

Upper wear that covers your upper arms, chest,

Dress Code naval, and shoulders and below knee-length

bottoms
Akshardham Temple: Layout