Spectacular Reasons to Visit the Akshardham Temple

Whether you are a spiritually inclined person or someone, who loves to visit architectural wonders of the world, then the Akshardham temple is the right place for you. Even though the architecture of the Akshardham temple is modern, the temple itself is rooted deep in the past of India.

Built by a thousand artisans, it is a marvel in sandstone that is surrounded by gardens that have been manicured to perfection.

A Sonnet carved in stone

You will have to leave the world of materialism behind, as you enter this ambrosial, hallowed shrine. In other words, you would have to leave behind your shoes, leather wallets,cellular phones, cameras, and the like with the security before entering the temple as a security measure. Take a walk on the sacredpavement, which reflects the sanctity of this monument. Gaze around to look at the quadrangled Shikhars, carved pillars, domes that have been carved ornately and colossal alcoves that make the beauty of the temple stand out. You can also figure out the consummate carvings of the temple – the Gods, musicians, dancers, the flora, and the fauna – that have been carved from the top to the bottom of the temple. The Inner Sanctum or the Garbagriha is so silent that you can hear your heart beating when you stand in front of it!

Behold the Mandovar, which is the ornately carved external wall of the temple, which is the only one that has been the largest of Mandovars in the past 800 years or so. Moreover, it has been sculpted with effigies of India’s great saints, sadhus, acharyas, devotees, and the other divine incarnations.

A legend in stone

The insides of the temple have variegated shows such as the Sanskruti Vihar (translated as the home of culture), wherein you getto enjoya 15 minute boat ride through ten thousand years of the Indian culture. Just imagine how grand and rich the Indian cultureisto have lasted a 10,000 years.15 minutes is just not enough to sum it up. However, the Akshardham temple has achieved it! The moment you walk out from this building, you get to see the biggest Yagnapurush Kund (the fire altar) in the world. You realize that the temple is surrounded on its three sides by thegleaming lake Narayan Sarovar, when you cross the fire altar. When you head left outside the Mandir (the temple), you can see the 8-petal lotus shaped garden named the Yogihriday Kamal. At night, the legend in stone comes to life when the colorful water fountain echoes the chants of the Vedic hymns in the hearts of the people!

The Temple of Guinness

Being one of the largest temples in the world, this temple has been given two certificates from the Guinness Book of World Records – one for being “one of the largest comprehensive Hindu temples in the world” and second for the “most Hindu temples consecrated by a single individual”. Not only is the Akshardham incomparable in terms of its stateliness, but also in terms of its grandeur. The certificates are really nothing before this ambrosial work of art.

Tourist Information

The temple is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Best time to visit

From October to January

Places to visit

Poorva Sanskritik Kendra, Pashupatinath Mandir, Prachin Sanatan Dharam Mandir, Maharaja Surajmal Park, Hanuman Mandir, Sanjay Lake, and Raghunathji Mandir.