Akshardham Temples in India

India is a secular nation, where there are a number of religious places. There are tow Akshardham temples in India. One is located in Delhi and the other one in Gujarat. Akshardhan temples are also known by the name of Swaminarayan Akshardham as they are dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan.

Akshardham Temple, Delhi

Akshardham temple in Delhi is one of the beautiful religious sites located in the city. It is one of the excellent examples of Hindu architecture. It took 7,000 artisans and 3,000 volunteers to construct this temple. It was opened for visitors in November 2005.

Architectural Brilliance

The temple has been designed in ancient Vedic text i.e. Sthapatya Shastra. Rajasthani Pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble has been used in its construction. There is no use of concrete and steel in the construction of Akshardham temple. The temple consists of 20,000 idols, 234 carved pillars and 9 domes.

There are a number of attractions inside the temple. The boat ride inside the temple complex 'Sanskruti Vihar' gives you the glimpses of 10,000 year old history of India. There are lush green lawn called 'Bharat Upavan', which has a number of beautiful trees and shrubs. There are a number of sculptures of great national leaders and freedom fighters inside the lawn. There is a lake surrounding the main monument, which is called Narayan Sarovar. There is a beautiful musical fountain inside the complex which is known as 'Yagnapurush Kund'.

There is a theatre inside the temple complex, known as 'Nilkanth Kayan Yatra', which houses the exclusive screen of large format in Delhi, measuring about 85 feet in length and 65 feet in height. Akshardham temple has registered its name in the Guiness Book of World Records.

Akshardham Temple, Gujarat

There is an another Akshardham temple, which is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This temple was also constructed by BAPS, which was opened for visitors in November 1992. One can see various similarities in the architectural design of the two Akshardham Temples, located in Gandhinagar and Delhi.

Architectural Brilliance

It is one of the largest temples located in the state of Gujarat. Dedicated to Lord Swaminaryan, an Idol of Lord Swaminaryan made on gold leaf is the main attraction of the temple. Intricately carved with stones, Akshardham temple stands amidst the lush green gardens. Height of the temple is 108 feet and it is 240 feet in length.

There are a number of halls built inside the temple complex where one can see the portrayal of Lord Swaminarayan presented by various shows. In an another hall, known as Sat Chit Anand, films are shown on large IMAX formats. There is an another hall known as Nityanand, where one can see the messages of Mahabharta, Ramayana and Upanishads in exhibitions. The temple complex has a research centre known as 'Akshardham Center for Applied Research in Social Harmony' (AARSH).