Published by 
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
Overview of Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi
Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi, an exceptionally magnificent temple complex par excellence, is devoted to Lord Swaminarayana. It is also known as Delhi Akshardham. It is spread across one hundred acres of land. It is one of the tourist attractions in Delhi. I visited this temple during the month of April 2006. The Akshardham complex is open all week days except Mondays. The timings: Akshardham complex 10.00 A.M to 07.00 P.M (during Apr -Sep); 09.00 A.M to 06.00 P.M (during Oct – Mar). Admission into Akshardham, Delhi is free. However you will be charged for ‘Audio Animatronics Shows,’ ‘Neelkanththth Darshan,’ and boat ride. Before entry you will be screened at the security and you must deposit your mobile and cameras to the security counter. You are not allowed to carry food items. Smoking and alcohol consumption are prohibited inside the complex. You may plan at least half a day and you will definitely experience the peace of mind and spiritualism.
Tourists Facilities
The temple is well administered by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) Sanstha. The landscaped garden estate is very clan and well maintained by BAPS Sans than. The safe drinking water is available in plenty through coolers. The food and refreshments are available through the restaurants and eateries.
Akshardham Temple (Mandhir)
The fantastic and exciting temple (Mandhir) was conceptualized and constructed on the banks of the holy river Yamuna in Delhi by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the head of the BAPS Sanstha. The temple was the desideratum of Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj the fourth seer of the BAPS Sanstha. It was thrown open to public on the Karthik month Shukla Panchami tit hi (Vedic Hindu Calendar) i.e., November 6th, 2005.
Structure of Akshardham Temple
Pramukh Swami Maharaj raised this temple structure within five years. These structures meticulously follow two Hindu Shastas: One is the Vedic Pancharatra Shasta and the second one is the Vastu Shastra. This fantastic modern temple architecture did not use steel. The structure measures 141.3 feet in height, 316 feet in width and 356 feet in length. Imagine about 234 numbers of the beautifully carved wide and tall pillars support the temple structure comprising nine well carved domes and 20 numbers of quadrangle shikhars. The complex structure houses 20000 icons or statues of saints, ardent devotees of Hindu gods and goddesses and Hindu religious personalities. The exterior of the temple presents the fabulous visuals of stone elephants all around the temple circumambulatory path.You will find use of two kinds of marble stones – the pink colored marble and white colored marble – blend together to communicate devotion (bakthi), purity and peace.
Akshardham, Gandhinagar (Gujarat, India)
The BAPS Sanstha is raising Swaminarayan temples in important cities in India and United States. Swaminarayan temple rose at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India is the most beautiful temple devoted to Lord Swaminarayan. It took 13 years for Pramukh Swamy Maharaj to raise the temple and was thrown open to public on October 30th, 1992 by the seer.
‘Audio Animatronics Shows in Akshardham, Delhi
The life and messages of Lord Swaminarayan comprising human endeavor, morality, vegetarianism, prayer, harmony in family, prayer, ahimsa, etc., are disseminated through the fifteen 3-D dioramas. ‘Sahajanand Darshan’ – you will experience this spectacular ‘Audio Animatronics Shows’ at the ‘Hall of Values.’ This divine experience is brought out through the integration of modern technologies such as fiber optic communications, robotics, and effects of light and sound and soul stirring music.
‘Neelkanth Darshan’ in Akshardham, Delhi
Another divine experience will be ‘Neelkanth Darshan.’ This wide format epic period feature film depicting the pilgrimage of the child yogi, Neelkanth Varni. This 18th century period film was shot at Himalayan peaks as well as at the tranquil shores of Kerala in South India. The wide format film screen measures 85 feet in width and 65 feet in height.
Yagnapurush Kund in Akshardham, Delhi
The Vedic tradition and culture invoked god through mantras and performed havan to appease the Lords of Nature i.e., earth, water, fire, air and cosmos. Rig and Yajur Veda hymns (samhitas) details the practice of havan. The fire pit or Homa Kund or Yagna Kund is used to perform havan. With this background you may visit the Yagnapurush Kund and you will be amazed to witness the largest Yagna Kund in the world. Yagnapurush Kund is named after the Swami Yagnapurushdasji, the founder of BAPS Sanstha and the third seer.
The square shaped Kund measures about 300 by 300 feet in length and breath. The mammoth structure has 108 small shrines and about 2870 steps. At the centre you will find the beautiful eight petal lotus like Yagna Kund structure. The Yagna Kund architecture was meticulously followed the complex calculations and science of geometry as depicted in the ‘Jayaakhya Samhita of the Panchratra scripture.’
How to reach
Hire an auto rickshaw or cab and reach the temple. There are number of local sight seeing tour operators in New Delhi.
Contact
Swaminarayan Akshardham, N. H. 24, Near Noida Mor, New Delhi, INDIA – 110092. Tel: (011) 2201 6688, 2202 6688 Fax: (011) 2201 5757
Reference
1. Akshardham (Delhi) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akshardham_(Delhi)
2. Akshardham http://WNW.akshardham.com/index.htm
This was a really good article! Thank you for sharing
I must visit it!!