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Delhi is famous for its urban lifestyle and historical moments showcasing the rich tradition and culture of ancient times. But, if you are on a spiritual tour in Delhi, you must visit the magnificent Akshardham Temple, which is known for modern architecture and the cultural exhibitions that are organised here. The Akshardham Temple gives a complete cultural experience to its visitors, therefore it is one of the top places to visit in Delhi because it blends spirituality and historical significance.

History 

The Akshardham Temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who was worshipped as a manifestation of God. His beliefs, teachings, and practices are still preserved in the temple. The temple was constructed under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who was the spiritual leader of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, also known as BAPS.

The temple was inaugurated and officially opened to the public on November 6, 2005. 

Architecture 

The architectural style of Akshardham temple draws its inspiration from the ancient Indian architecture. The entire temple is constructed using the pink sandstone and marble, which showcases the excellent craftsmanship and gives it a sacred and elegant appeal.

The main temple showcases the carvings of 20,000 deities, spiritual leaders and animals which were inspired from the Hindu mythological stories. 

The huge pillars and domes give the temple a royal appearance, which makes it a popular tourist spot along with a centre for worshipping.

Location

The Akshardham Temple is situated in the east part of Delhi, on the banks of Yamuna River. It is easily accessible through public transport and personal vehicles, and you can reach here from different parts of Delhi as it is placed in the centre.

The nearest Metro near the temple is Akshardham Metro Station and you can easily reach the temple which is located nearby. 

There are bus and auto rickshaw services available to make the place accessible.If you are visiting the temple with your personal vehicle, there is enough space for parking.

 Timings & Entry Fees

The Akshardham Temple is open from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday. Here is a summary of the  timings for the different activities you can do here :

• Temple Timings: 10 AM to 6:30 PM

• Exhibition Timing: 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

• Aarti Timing: 10 AM and 6 PM

• Water show timings usually vary depending upon the season, but it usually starts at 7:30 PM.

The entry to the main temple is absolutely free for all the visitors, however, you have to purchase tickets for the exhibition and the water show. The ticket prices are listed below:

• Exhibition tickets: ₹170 for adults, ₹125 for children and ₹100 for senior citizens .

• Water show tickets: ₹80 for adults and senior citizens, and ₹50 for children.

Attractions at Akshardham Temple

The main attractions at the Akshada Temple are as follows:

• The Mandir: this is the main part where many devotees visit here for worship. It is made of beautiful pink sandstone and marbles. The walls of the temple are carved with the deities of Hindu Gods and Spiritual leaders.

• Yagnapurush Kund: Famous for being the largest stepwell in the world, it has a musical fountain at the centre where the majestic water show is conducted. The water show, known as Sahaj Anand showcases beautiful lights and sound,water fountain, and spiritual storytelling.

• Exhibitions: There are three kinds of exhibitions that are shown in the Akshardham Temple, namely Sahaj Anand Water show, Nilkanth Darshan and Sanskruti Vihar. These exhibitions feature the rich heritage of India through light and sound shows , music, and film shows.

• Bharat Upavan: this is also known as, garden of India, which offers a perfect tranquil retreat and showcases the statue of spiritual leaders, Indian freedom fighters, etc.

Aarti 

The Aarti at the Akshardham Temple is something which you must experience, even if you have booked the Delhi same-day tour package.

The Aarti is performed twice, one in the morning and the other in the evening. The morning Aarti takes place at 10 AM, and the evening Aarti is performed at 6 PM. The Aarti takes place in the central part of the temple where the devotees gather to worship Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Phone Number and Contact Information 

You can use the contact information given below to contact the administration of the temple for any inquiries.

• Phone Number : +91-11-4344-2344

• Official Website: www.akshardham.com

If you are booking a  Delhi tour package, plan a visit to this landmark to dive yourself into spirituality and divine culture of India.