Akshardham
Nestling on the banks of river Yamuna over 100 acres of land, the Akshardham temple is a modern signature of exquisite beauty. According to Hindu mythology, "Akshardham" means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the haunt of eternal values and virtues of 'Akshar' where a heart of devotion, purity and peace forever perches. Depicting an impeccable blend of amazing grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss , the Swaminarayan Akshardham is a one stop destination to divine India.
The Akshardham temple was constructed by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj in order to fulfill the wish of his Guru (Teacher) Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth successor in the spiritual hierarchy of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The temple came into being after 5 years of non-stop, round-the-clock construction. Built in the Medivial Style of Architecture, Made in Pink White Marble has 234 Ornately Carved Pillars, 9 Ornate Domes, 20 Quadrangle Shikhars, this pristine architecture carves its way amongst the monumental marvels of modern India. A beautiful matrix of marble and red sandstone, with many alluring sculptures embellishing its periphery mark the divine rising of this glorious temple where eternal peace and harmony is offered to every individual heart.
The Legendary Akshardham
The Swaminarayan Akshardham is one of the epic monuments in Indian history. The grand stature and extended charisma of the place take it to a different league of excellence and devotion. There has not been use of steel in the whole monument. It is a replica of the Akshardham Temple in Ahmedabad. Walk on the chaste pavement that reflects the sanctity of this eminent temple in its heart. Gaze anywhere and you will be overwhelmed to see immense beauty sprawled all around you in exquisitely carved pillars, ornate domes, quadrangled shikhars, reincarnated in a pink and white attire. Enter the 'Mandir', standing with its head held high at 141 ft. Enjoy the consummate artistry - flora, fauna, dancers, musicians and Gods - crafted on the surfaces of pillars from top to bottom. The Garbhagriha (Inner Sanctum) reminds one of the Gothic architecture, standing like a silent spectator of divine divinity, where you can even hear your heart beat.
The magnificent "Mandovar", the ornate exterior wall of the Akshardham Temple. is the only and largest, intricately carved Mandovar in India, in last 800 years. Embellished with sculptured stone effigies of India's great rishis, sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine incarnations, it offers a divine site of India’s religious heritage. The tranquil Narayan Sarovar with a lake that glitters like a sparkling diamond amidst floating lotus leaves provides an enchanting view of life. The main highlight of this lake is that it contains holy waters from 151 rivers and lakes sanctified by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, including Mansarovar in Tibet.
The Legendary Akshardham
Stepping inside the Akshardham temple in new Delhi is nothing less than a step to divinity of India. Known as India's Spiritual Theme Park, Akshardham has loads to offer. Here is a list of major points to remember while visiting Akshardham.
- You will have to leave all your materialism before you enter the hallowed shrine. Put off shoes, leather purse, belts, cell phones and other accessories as a security measure with the temple authorities.
- Visit the Temple at Evening as it Comes Alive Due to the Magnificent Lighting Effects. Ideal for Photography.
- Attend the Audio Animatronics Show (Sahajanand Darshan) at the Hall of Values for a visit to 18th century India. In this show, life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is portrayed through robotics, fibre optics, light and sound effects, dialogues and music.
- Sit Around the Yagnapurush Kund, a musical fountain which holds recognition as World's Largest Yagna Kund (Sacrificial Fire) with perfect geometric forms testifying the ancient India's advanced knowledge in mathematics and geometry. At night the center comes to life with a colorful musical water fountain that echoes the Vedic rhymes in everyone's heart.
- Enjoy a 12 minute boating experience showcasing World's oldest Vedic village and bazaar.
- Don't Miss the restaurant inside the temple, modeled on the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Ayurvedic Bazaar.
- Enjoy photography at Bharat Upvans (gardens) and in the complete premises of Swami Narayan Akshrdham.
Amazing Facts
- It is one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed.
- The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble.
- It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of India's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities.
- The monument was built after over 300 million man hours of services rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus and artisans.
- The ornate external wall (Mandovar) is the only and largest, intricately carved structure with dimensions of 611ft x 31ft that is built in the last 800 years .
- The Gajendra Pith stretching for 1,070 ft and weighing 3,000 tons, has 148 full-sized elephants, 42 birds and animals, 125 human sculptures.
- The Akshardham parikrama (circumambulatory path) consists of 1,152 pillars, 145 windows and 154 samvaran shikhars; amounting to a total of 53,956 stones.
Temple of Guinness
Akshardham has been announced to be the largest Hindu temple complex in the world by Guinness Record Books. After inspecting various temple all over the world for around seven months, the committee reached to this conclusion – that makes Akshardham the largest Hindu temple in th world.
Details
Location : Banks of River Yamuna in East Delhi
Managed By : Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha
Famous For : Exquisite Architecture and Ornate Pillars
Remember To See : Audio Animatronics Show (Sahajanand Darshan)
