Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is an abode of God built in 2005 near the banks of River Yamuna.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is an abode of God built in 2005 near the banks of River Yamuna. The temple showcases Hinduism and its age old culture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. It is listed in Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple. The complex is a home to India's largest step well which is a host to the mesmerizing water show, an open garden, Narayan Sarovar, various expeditions, and rituals. The temple takes its visitors on a journey of spiritual enlightenment.
It has eight ostentatiously carved mandapams. It is constructed by BAPS that is Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha followed by Maharishi Vastu Architecture. Similar to its predecessor Akshardham Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the main shrine is the focal point and maintains the central position of the entire complex. There are various exhibition halls which provide information about the life and work of Swaminarayan. The main attraction of the complex, i.e. the Akshardham Mandir stands 141 foot high, 316 foot wide and extends 356 foot long.
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).
The Hall of Values features lifelike robotics and dioramas which display incidents from Swaminarayan's life, portraying his message about the importance of peace, harmony, humility, service to others and devotion to God. You can experience eternal messages derived from ancient Hindu culture such as non-violence, vegetarianism, perseverance, prayers, morality, and family harmony through 15 3-D dioramas. The hall also features the world's smallest animatronic robot in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child form of Swaminarayan.
Nilkanth Darshan theatre houses Delhi's first and only large format screen, measuring 85-foot by 65-foot. 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 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, also Known as the Yagnapurush Kund, is India's largest step well. It features a very large series of steps down to a traditional 'yagna kund'. These steps provide rest for the visitors to the complex during the day and at night, a musical fountain show named Sahaj Anand - Multi Media Water Show is shown. Sahaj Anand Water Show is a breathtaking 24-minute presentation which unites a variety of intriguing media to bring to life a story from the Kena Upanishad.
Also known as the Bharat Upavan, Garden of India has lush manicured lawns, trees, and shrubs. The garden is lined with bronze sculptures of contributors to India's culture and history.
Narayan Sarovar has been built surrounding the central Akshardham Mandir. The Sarovar comprises of the waters of 151 holy rivers and lakes.
