Akshardham in Delhi is a large Hindu temple whose architecture captures the history, traditions, and tales of the ancient country. The complex, built without the use of nails, is free for tourists to visit: temple gates, thematic park areas, etc. The complex has sculptures, diorama expositions, art exhibits, etc. There are sculptures, diorama expositions, an artificial river, a color-music show of fountains, etc. on the territory.
General information about the temple
Akshardham Mandir (translated from Sanskrit as “place of worship of gods”) is a Hindu temple in Delhi, which is a place of worship for followers of the national religion. The name translated means “abode of God that cannot be moved”.
The architectural complex on the bank of the Yamuna River was inaugurated in 2005. The height of the temple structure is 42 meters, length and width are 106 and 94 meters respectively. The building is decorated with 9 domes, 234 columns, more than 20 thousand sculptures. The structure is designed with 20 shikhar – traditional for the architecture of northern India pyramidal towers, which rise above the main part of the temple. 148 elephant figures are placed along the perimeter of the complex.
In the center there is a statue of Nilkantha Varmi, who by the end of the XVIII century became a symbol of change in the country. At the age of 11, the boy had already studied the Vedas and set out on a journey of 8,000 miles. Nilkanth underwent severe trials, mastered yogic exercises and meditation. He crossed the Himalayas, desert, tropical forest. In the 7th year of his wanderings he met Ramananda. The guru passed his knowledge to his successor and gave the young man a new name – Swami Narayana. Till his last days he was engaged in educational activities, helping the suffering, eradicating superstitions, enmity and social differences.
In addition to the prayer house in the center of the structure, the temple has picturesque theme parks, an artificial water channel, a cinema, cafes, souvenir shops, food courts. There is a fountain garden on the right side of the complex and a lotus garden on the left side.
The large-scale facility is included in the Guinness Book of Records.
History of the erection of Akshardham temple
The idea to build a temple dedicated to the preacher and yogi Swami Narayana appeared in 1970s. Its author was Yogiji Maharaja, the head of the spiritual center BARS. However, he failed to realize the idea. In 1982, the folder with the temple drawings fell into the hands of the yogin’s successor.
The erection of buildings, arrangement of park areas and the adjacent territory required large financial investments – 500 million US dollars. The sum for the construction of the complex was collected through voluntary donations over 18 years.
In 2000, the management of the architectural project purchased a plot of 12 hectares on the bank of the Yamuna River. About 10 thousand stonemasons, masters of rock carving, laborers from Orissa, Rajasthan and Bengal came to build the temple. It took 5 years to plan the territory and create sculptures. The official opening of the complex took place at the end of 2005.
Akshardham is built according to special schemes from Italian marble and Rajasthani pink sandstone without the use of cement and metal structures. The elements are connected by means of chiseled grooves. The building is decorated with domes, columns with figures carved from stone, and patterns from Indian mythology.
Where the temple is located and how to reach it
The complex is located in India at National Highway 24, New Delhi, New Delhi district.
You can reach the architectural landmark by:
- Bus. Public transportation routes #347, 362, 443 go to Akshardham Temple stop.
- Metro. Exit at Akshardham station on the blue line towards Dwarka Sector 21.
Rules of Attendance
Rules for safe visit to the museum complex have been developed. Tourists pass the checkpoint, leave their belongings in the storage rooms. Travelers should be in clothes that cover shoulders, back, chest, legs below the knee.
It is forbidden to use in the temple:
- cell phones;
- USB flash drives;
- video cameras;
- tablets, laptops;
- musical technique;
- umbrellas;
- weapons;
- big bags, suitcases;
- tobacco;
- alcohol;
- food, drinks;
- toys.
You can take your wallet, passport, water bottle, jewelry, baby food into the complex. Photography and videotaping are prohibited in the building. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QlcSVpIBvrw
Architecture and exterior facade of the mandovar
The facade of a stone temple is called a mandovar. The outer surfaces of the building are covered with artistic carvings (sculptural compositions of plants, animals, birds, gods, sages, household scenes, etc.). It is approached by a road lined with slabs of marble polished to a shine. The building is surrounded by canals, the sides of which are decorated with stone carved heads of sacred cows.
The gate of devotion at the entrance
The Gate of Devotion (Bhakti Dwar) is a richly decorated stone portal. The building symbolizes the loyalty of ancient peoples of the Indian world to their deities. The decoration of the gate features canonical carved images of the Bhakta-Bhagavan couple. Through the Devotion Gate, tourists enter the Visitor Center.
Narayan-Pitha
According to the ancient Hindu tradition, worshippers perform a ritual as a sign of worship and respect to the gods. People walk clockwise around Akshardham. In the temple, the path of the pilgrims is decorated with 3 bronze bas-reliefs 18 meters high. The panels are engraved with incidents from the life of Swami Narayana, which help in remembering eternal values. The level of the temple where the art panels are placed is called Narayan Pithoi.
Gajendra-Pitha
Gajendra-Pitha, according to ancient architectural traditions, is decorated with images of elephants. However, instead of a sequential repetition of a single sculpture, the bas-reliefs present instructive legends from the Mahabharata, Panchatantra and other works of Sanskrit prose. Visitors can familiarize themselves not only with the skill of the stone carvers, but also with a fragmentary view of the ancient Indian epic.
Narayan Sarovar
Since Vedic times, a tradition of honoring ponds, lakes, rivers and other water sources has developed in India. Therefore, a sacred water body was arranged around the main structure of the temple. It bears the name of Narayan Sarovar. It contains water from 151 sanctified springs (Yamuna, Ganges, Manasarovar, Pampa Sarovar, etc.). The streams pour out from 108 bronze images symbolizing the names of God.
Other ancient Indian legends on the facade
Other ancient legends are also reproduced on the facade by stone carvers. These include the Plowing of the Milky Ocean, a story from the Mahabharata, about the crowning of Brahma the Creator by the emperor of the animal world, Aivarata, and others. Visitors can familiarize themselves with fragments of ancient epics, legends.
What to see inside the shrine
Inside the temple, there are thematic halls, exhibitions, color-music show of fountains, small cinema hall, etc. Indoors, tourists are introduced to the values of Hindu heritage. The interior decoration of the temple includes white marble carvings, gilding inlay, and decoration with natural stones. The arched ceilings are supported by columns, domed vaults with openwork weaving.
Hall of Spiritual Values
In the hall, visitors are introduced to Hindu values that can change the world around them and people’s lives. The reliefs depict stories dedicated to love, service, fearlessness, compassion, honesty and humility.
Animated figures, short videos, and stage performances are also presented.
Nilkantha Hall
The Nilkantha Hall is designed on the principle of a movie theater. On the big screen tourists are shown a movie about the life of young Nilkanth, his journey through the Himalayas. Visitors can see the nature of the Himalayas, tropical forests of Assam, Rameshwaram temple, learn about the ministry.
Sanskruti Hall
In Sanskruti Hall, tourists board a boat and travel on the river of time. They are transported back to ancient India a thousand years ago. The guests are shown the university of that time, the skills of ancient doctors, the peculiarities of market organization, yoga classes, etc.
Water show at Sahaj Anand Arena
In the evening at sunset, a color and music show of fountains is organized in the temple complex. The spectacular performance is organized with illumination, underwater flames, laser projections. Actors reproduce historical scenes – legends from the Upanishads.
Akshardham Theme Gardens
There are 2 theme parks within the temple grounds. The Bharat Upavan Gardens have bronze statues that represent the historical personalities of the country. The Gridai Kamal Yoga Park is made in the shape of a lotus. It was laid out in the memory of Yogi Maharaja, who is credited with the idea of building the temple.
The widescreen movie “The Face of Nilkanth”
On the screen of the indoor movie theater tourists are shown the movie “Seeing Nilkanth”. The movie depicts the journey of a yogi through the gorges of the Himalayas, the trek through Rameshwaram Mandir, and the tropical forests of Assam.
Nilkanth left home at the age of 11 and set out to explore the world, nature and help people. The young man traveled more than 12,000 kilometers and during the crossing he was able to absorb folk wisdom and temper his spirit.
Interesting facts about the making of the movie:
- scenes were shot in 108 locations;
- scenery and costumes for the movie were designed in the style of the XVIII century;
- 45,000 people took part in the shooting;
- the sets were made life-size.
Boat trip
During the water excursion, tourists are taken by boat along the canals and are introduced to the history of ancient India and Vedic culture. The water offers picturesque views of the sculptures, columns and vaults of the temple.
Opening hours and cost of excursions
The museum complex is open to the public every day except Monday. Tourists can explore the object from 09:00 to 20:00, while the entrance to the temple is allowed only until 17:30. The sightseeing in the main building and the park area is free of charge. However, tourists may be charged additional amounts for souvenirs, photo and organized video shooting.
The tours cost Rs 170 for adults and Rs 100 for children (4-12 years). For schedule changes, prices, check the official portal of the complex – akshardham.com.
