Akshardham Temple in Delhi (Timings, Aarti, History, Built by, Images & Location)

Introduction

Imagine a place which combines visually beautiful architecture with a deep sense of spirituality. Welcome to Akshardham Temple, in Delhi! It is one among the most stunning and important temples in India.

Akshardham Temple is not only a worship place but also a cultural treasure through which stories of history, art, and spirituality can be conveyed.

What is so special about this place? Get ready for discovery in this article of what makes Akshardham Temple so unique, its history, amazing architecture, and exciting experiences offered by it. Let’s roll into this incredible place!

Aarti Timings and Visiting Hours

• Visiting Hours:
  • Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
    The temple complex is open every day, but the timings may vary on special occasions and festivals.
• Aarti Timings:
  • Morning Aarti: 9:00 AM
  • Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM
    The evening Aarti is accompanied by devotional chanting and spiritual music, making it a soulful experience for visitors.
• Note: The temple may remain closed on major national holidays like Republic Day and Independence Day, so it’s advisable to check the temple’s official website or contact the temple management for updated timings.

1. Origins of Akshardham Temple

On November 6, 2005, this massive temple was inaugurated. It was built to pay tribute to the Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his preaching.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual organization that carries out missionary activities and conducts various social projects around the world and manages this temple.

The very concept of Akshardham was to have a place where people would be able to relate spiritually and get to know India well.

The beauty of the temple in terms of its architecture, with such minute carvings around it, exhibits the hard work of thousands of artisans who bore labor to bring this vision to life.

2. Architectural Marvel

One of the evident features at Akshardham Temple is its exceptional architecture. This temple was built using sandstone and marbles, which looks quite majestic. Here are some of the primary design features of this place:

• Main Shrine : The main shrine houses a beautiful idol of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This idol is made from pure gold and is 3 feet tall, surrounded by other deities.

• Intricate carvings: The temple walls are filled with more than 20,000 intricately carved sculptures. These sculptures reveal stories from Hindu mythology, nature, and Indian culture.

• Size and Height: The temple has a height of 141 feet and covers 23 acres. Its size almost scares and fascinates at the same time.

• Pillars: The temple has about 234 beautifully carved pillars. Each pillar narrates a tale and glorifies the artistic talent of the old Indian craftsmen.

• Gardens: Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it is a gorgeous place. There are fountains, sculptures, and serene walkways for which people visit this place.

3. Spiritual Significance

Akshardham Temple occupies a massive place in the minds of people. Here are a few reasons because of which it is so important:

• Worship: A lot of people visit Akshardham to pray and beg for blessing, reminding us of how much spirituality figures in our lives.

• Teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan: The temple reflects faith, devotion, and morality with the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

• Cultural Heritage: Akshardham portrays the rich heritage of Indian culture, with the intention of educating people about the history and values of India through different types of exhibitions.

4. Visitor Experience

There is so much to see and do at Akshardham Temple. Here are some activities and attractions you can enjoy:

• Exhibitions: There are several exhibitions in it that are focused on Indian history and spirituality. Yagnapurush Kund is the world’s largest stepwell and has an amazing musical fountain.

• Boat Ride: You can take a ride through the “Sahajanand Darshan,” which speaks about Indian civilization, spirituality, and culture with animated scenes.

• Light and Sound Show: A visit is never complete without the riveting narrative of India’s spiritual heritage through light and sound show in the evening.

• Cafeteria: After this, unwind at the temple’s cafeteria that serves mouth-watering vegetarian delicacies at throw-away prices.

• Photography: No photography is allowed within the main temple, but you could return with lovely photographs of the gardens and the architecture outside.

5. How to Reach

It is not very difficult to reach the Akshardham Temple since it is located at the center of Delhi. The following are the ways of reaching this temple:

• By Metro: The nearest metro station is Akshardham Metro Station (on the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro), which is just a short walk from the temple.

• By Road: Akshardham Temple is easily accessible by road. It is located in the heart of East Delhi, around 2 km from Noida and 6 km from Connaught Place. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, and buses are available from all parts of the city.

• By Air: The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, located about 25 km from the temple. You can take a taxi or use metro services to reach the temple.

6. Important Visitor Information

Before you make your plans, here are a few important points:

• Timing: The Temple is open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. However, it does not open on Mondays.

• Entry Fee: The entry to the temple is free; however, there may be charges at a few exhibitions and for the boating ride.

• Dress Code: The visitors are expected to wear decent clothes to demonstrate respect for the place, which is considered sacred.

• Security Checks: Security checks are conducted at the entrance. Avoid carrying large handbags or forbidden items in your luggage.

Booking and Special Services

• While there is no online booking system for regular visits, special events and prayers can be arranged by contacting the temple office directly.
• The temple also offers darshan and aarti bookings for large groups, devotees, and pilgrims who wish to participate in special ceremonies.

For more details and online services, you can visit the official website: https://www.akshardham.com

Conclusion

Akshardham Temple goes beyond beauty-it’s a place for spirituality and culture, the coming together of art. Indeed, if you are interested in architecture, history, and spirituality, there is something for every person here at that temple.

Visiting Akshardham is not only enriching but presents a great opportunity to learn about India’s rich heritage. So, when in Delhi, you just cannot afford to skip this magnificent temple!