AKSHARDHAM (DELHI, INDIA): A MASTERPIECE OF HINDU ARCHITECTURE
Akshardham (meaning "the unmoving residence of God") is a grandiose, modern monument dedicated to Hindu and Indian spirituality and culture. Located in New Delhi, it is one of the world’s largest Hindu temple complexes, a fact confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records. It serves not only as a functioning temple but also as an extensive cultural and educational center, annually attracting millions of worshippers and tourists from across the globe. The complex is spread over 12 hectares (approximately 30 acres) and represents an exceptional example of contemporary architecture that strictly adheres to ancient Hindu canons.
Location
The Akshardham Temple Complex is situated in the capital of India, New Delhi, on the picturesque banks of the Yamuna River. The nearest developed area is New Delhi, which was built south of the Old City in the first half of the 20th century. This district is known for its wide avenues, administrative buildings, and landmarks such as Connaught Place, the President's residence Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the India Gate memorial.
Historical Background
The idea for Akshardham originated with the spiritual head of the BAPS organization, Yogiji Maharaj, who conceived it in 1968. Following his passing in 1982, his successor and leader of the Swaminarayan movement continued the mission. Construction officially began in November 2000, after 18 years of negotiations and the collection of voluntary donations. Due to the challenging riverbank location of the Yamuna River, a solid foundation was not laid until 2001. A total of seven thousand artisans and three thousand volunteers worked tirelessly on the construction. The complex was officially inaugurated on November 6, 2005, with its construction costs, estimated at about 500 million USD, being covered exclusively by donations.
Significant Figures
Key figures in the creation of the complex are Yogiji Maharaj, who initiated the project, and his successor, who ensured its realization. The complex itself is dedicated to Swaminarayan, the great social reformer of the 18th century who preached purity, vegetarianism, and family harmony. His golden statue, measuring 3.4 meters high, is situated beneath the central dome of the main temple.
Religious Significance
Akshardham is a functioning Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who is considered an incarnation of Narayana (an aspect of the god Vishnu). The complex serves as a center for worship and enlightenment, promoting the core principles of Hinduism, captured by the aphorism: "The truth is one—people call it by various names." All the temple's hand-carved finishing is steeped in symbolism: the exterior, made of pink sandstone, symbolizes the love for God, while the interior, made of white marble, signifies absolute purity and peace.
Cultural and Tourist Importance
The temple is built in a mixed classical style, blending Indian architectural traditions with a 21st-century approach, but it is constructed entirely of pink sandstone and marble without the use of steel. It is breathtakingly grandiose: it features nine domes, 234 intricately carved pillars, 20 four-sided Shikharas (spires), and 20,000 sculptures of deities and bas-reliefs illustrating parables. A total of 148 elephant figures decorate the perimeter of the building.
In addition to the main temple, the complex includes extensive tourist attractions:
Exhibition Complex (Museum): Divided into three parts, including the Hall of Values (Sahajanand Pradarshan) featuring realistic animatronic robots illustrating Swaminarayan's life.
Boat Ride: A water journey along a covered artificial canal, where visitors encounter 10,000 years of Indian history, including reproductions of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the dawn of civilization, and the world’s first university, Taxila.
IMAX Theatre: Screens a specially-made film about Swaminarayan's seven years of pilgrimage.
Lotus Fountain: Hosts an evening light and music show with water and video projections, symbolizing the unity of the elements.
Akshardham Today
Today, Akshardham is visited daily by hundreds of tourists and worshippers. The complex is fully operational, providing not only a place for prayer but also a Sunday school, a youth club, and a social harmony study center. For security and to protect the artistic rights to the carvings, photography is strictly prohibited inside, and visitors undergo rigorous checks at the entrance. Despite its size, the cost of an admission ticket is very low (less than a dollar). Tourists can easily spend a minimum of four hours exploring the exhibitions, walking through the lotus-shaped sunken garden, and visiting souvenir shops that offer silver jewelry and interior decor, among other items.
