Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, located in New Delhi, is one of the largest and most spectacular Hindu temples in the world. It is not only a place of worship but also a spiritual, cultural, and architectural masterpiece that attracts millions of visitors each year. The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830) and showcases the timeless spiritual traditions of India.
The idea for Akshardham was envisioned by Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. However, it was Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor, who inspired and guided its construction through the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). After years of planning and work by over 8,000 volunteers and artisans, the temple was inaugurated on 6th November 2005 by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then President of India.
The central deity of the temple is Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whose 11-foot high, gold-leafed murti (idol) sits peacefully in the main sanctum. He is worshipped as a manifestation of Parabrahman – the supreme reality in Swaminarayan philosophy. The temple also houses beautifully carved murtis of other deities, including Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, Lakshmi-Narayan, and Shiva-Parvati, representing the unity and harmony of Hindu devotion.
Constructed entirely from pink sandstone and white marble, without using any steel, the temple reflects traditional Indian architectural styles from across India. The main Akshardham Mandir is adorned with more than 20,000 intricately carved statues, floral motifs, and reliefs of deities, sages, elephants, and dancers, all of which narrate stories of faith, devotion, and sacrifice. The inner sanctum, known as the Garbhagriha, offers a meditative and divine atmosphere.
The Akshardham complex is much more than a temple. It features several exhibitions that creatively express India’s spiritual heritage, including the Hall of Values (Sahajanand Darshan) – showcasing Swaminarayan’s life through animatronics and dioramas; the Giant Screen Film (Neelkanth Darshan) – an inspiring story of Swaminarayan’s teenage pilgrimage across India; and the Cultural Boat Ride (Sanskruti Vihar) – a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history, science, and culture.
The Yagnapurush Kund, India’s largest stepwell, adds to the spiritual ambiance with its mesmerizing Musical Fountain (Sahaj Anand Water Show) held in the evening. The Garden of India (Bharat Upavan) is beautifully landscaped with bronze statues of great Indian personalities. Altogether, Akshardham offers an immersive journey through India’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy.
Akshardham is not only a center of devotion but also of learning and peace. Visitors, regardless of religion or nationality, find inspiration in its message of unity, non-violence, and devotion to God. The entire complex was built in just five years – a testimony to disciplined volunteerism and spiritual dedication.
Address:
Swaminarayan Akshardham
Noida Mor, Pandav Nagar,
New Delhi – 110092, India
Author: lekbesi
lekbesi