The word Akshardham, as per Swaminarayan Hinduism, means the abode of the Lord. It represents the serenity and the holiness of the place where devotees worship the divine and seek their blessings. It is considered to be divine home of the God on Earth. Swaminarayan Akshardham Delhi is not only a temple; Swaminarayan Akshardham complex is also a cultural and spiritual campus where varied kinds of activities and exhibitions related to Hindu religion and harmony are organised.
Akshardham Temple God is Bhagwan Swaminarayan. However, it is also dedicated to great saints, devas and averts of Hindu Gods. Skilfully carved Akshardham Mandir houses the idols of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and his successors. There are also statues of Hindu Gods and Goddess such as Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha; Lord Rama and Goddess Sita; Goddess Lakshmi and God Narayana; Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati.
Located on the banks of Yamuna River, this temple was opened to public in the year 2005. It was inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Built according to Vastu shastra and Pancharatra Shastra, Akshardham Delhi presents a traditional architecture of Hindu Temples.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is the quintessence of the Indian rich legacy, traditions, ancient architecture and everlasting spiritual messages. The grand structure, lush gardens, exhibitions and various other attractions peep into the heritage of India in all its aspects and insights. The temple complex showcases the Indian heritage through various exhibitions like 'Sahajanand Pradarshan', 'Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra',' Sankruti Vihar', 'Yagnapurush Kund' , 'Bharat Upavan' and 'Yogi Hraday Kamal'.
Sahajanand Pradarshan
'Sahajanand Pradarshan' (Hall of Values) is a hall that displays life-like robotics and dioramas. Through the medium of audio-animatronics, the events from Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life are portrayed. These events leave the message of peace, harmony, modesty, kind service and devotion to God. This hall embraces the world's smallest animatronic robot in the outlook of Ghanshyam Maharaj (the child figure of Bhagwan Swaminarayan).
Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra
'Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra' is another hall that comprises a giant screen film. This 85' x 65' screen is the first and only large screen of Delhi. The theatre portrays a movie, which is specially designed to show the epic pilgrimage made by an 11 year old child (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) across India.
Sanskruti Vihar
The third destination is 'Sanskruti Vihar', which involves a boat ride of 10 minutes. This enthralling ride is made through peacock shaped boats that make their way in a non-natural river. This river passes through the world's first university of Takshashila, chemistry laboratories, ancient hospitals, bazaars and Ajanta-Ellora caves. The ride concludes with a message for the future of the World.
Yagnapurush Kund / Musical Fountain
Yagnapurush Kund is the fourth destination embracing largest step well of India. This has a huge series of steps that take down to a traditional 'yagna kund'. In the daytime, these steps make a place to relax for the tired visitors, while in the night; these steps make the seats for the audience that come to watch the musical fountain show.
Bharat Upavan / Garden of India
Bharat Upavan encompasses lush manicured lawns with trees and shrubs. Sprawled in the area of sixty acres, the garden is adorned by the bronze statues of contributors to Indian culture, values and national pride.
Yogi Hraday Kamal
Yogi Hraday Kamal is a sunken garden that is wrought like a lotus. This magnificent garden features massive stones stamped with quotes from legends of the world. The variety of quotes ranges from Shakespeare, Martin Luther King to Swami Vivekananda and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.
Architecture
Swaminarayan Akshardham has been accredited for being the largest temple complex of India. It is amazing to know that this temple is built wholly in stone as per Sthaapatya Shastra, the architectural science of India. No iron or steel has been used in the construction of this temple. The beams, used for support are 22ft long single piece of stone. The intricately carved pillars appears, as if, whole poetry has been carved in stone. The temple extends to the height of 10 stories, where inch to inch of stone is delicately imprinted and what is more, the fascia appears remarkable.
This colossal structure comprises 234 intricately carved pillars, 9 flamboyant domes, 20 quadrangled spires and magnificent a Gajendra Pith. It also boasts of 20,000 idols and statues that depict the great Indian souls in the form of sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine celebrities. Elevated to the height of 141 feet, the tallest spire of the temple makes the house of the image of Lord Swaminarayan.
An enormous amount of 2 million was spent for the erection of this majestic place of worship. The structure swallowed around 6000 tons of pink sand stone that was all brought from Rajasthan. This technique guarantees the fact that the shrine would last for a thousand years. The edifice took not less than 12 million man hours of 11,000 practiced craftsmen to carve every nook and corner. The splendid architecture of this temple provides glimpse of different architectural styles prevalent in India.
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