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The Akshardham in New Delhi encapsulates 10,000 years of Indian history in all of its awe-inspiring grandeur and beauty. It perfectly depicts India’s architectural brilliance, traditions and eternal spiritual wisdom. The temple was built with the subtleties of scripture and Pancharatra Shastra in mind.
The Akshardham Temple is a true representation of Indian culture, architecture and spirituality in general. With the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the untiring efforts of close to 11,000 artisans and thousands of BAPS volunteers, the Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was completed in only five years. The structure was inaugurated on November 6, 2005, and was named the World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple by Guinness World Records.
The Backstory of its Inception
Over two hundred murtis of the most revered Hindu deities and sages adorn the mandir. Akshardham’s principal tenet is that each soul carries divine potential. And that every little act of kindness toward fellow humans, other living beings, communities or our country takes us one step closer to god. It believes in the power of prayer in self-betterment.
Yogiji Maharaj, who was at the helm of affairs of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, envisioned this grand project way back in 1968. Despite multiple attempts, there was little progress, and Yogiji Maharaj passed away in 1971. His successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj persisted relentlessly in the following years.
Finally, in April 2000, the Swaminarayan Sanstha was granted land by the Delhi Development Authority and the Uttar Pradesh Government for the temple complex, overlooking the Yamuna river. The construction work for this colossal endeavour began in November 2000 and was completed by November 2005.
This architectural marvel became the physical representation of the organisation’s core principles of Ahimsa (nonviolence), Dharma (duty) and Brahmacharya (celibacy).
Activities Available
Main temple
The main temple undoubtedly is a stunning example of architectural beauty and grandeur.
It is of magnificent proportions at 141 feet (43 meters) tall, 316 feet (96 meters) broad and 356 feet (109 meters) long.
The intricate carvings all over the interior and exterior walls depict various life forms. One of the most revered symbols of Hindu worship, the elephant, features prominently in the carvings. At the temple’s base are 148 life-size, perfectly sculpted elephants, weighing a total of 3000 tonnes. Another astounding fact is that the temple is not supported by steel or concrete. That’s some genuine architectural brilliance at work there!
Boat ride:
The pleasant, 15-minute boat ride is aimed at educating the visitors on the stellar contribution of Vedic Indians in fields as diverse as science, arts, astronomy, literature, mathematics and yoga.
Musical fountain
The Musical Fountain (also known as the Yagnapurush Kund) is India’s largest step well. It measures 300 by 300 feet with 2,870 steps and 108 tiny shrines. Yes, you don’t have to travel to a remote town in Rajasthan to see a step well; the largest one is right here at the Akshardham Temple.
An enchanting Musical Fountain Show brightens up the evenings here.
Other aspects
Other features contribute to the temple’s larger-than-life appearance. One is the vision and creative talent that went into its conception, implementation and execution. The structure depicts Hinduism’s teachings and India’s history along with other concepts on the beginning of life on earth, the arrival of humans and their progress. The place seeks to showcase life in all its beauty and complexities in accordance with the organisation’s beliefs.
Significance
The Akshardham Temple was inducted into the Guinness World Records in 2007 for being the world’s largest comprehensive Hindu Temple, attracting visitors from all over the world. The temple complex’s IMAX theatre and a stunning musical fountain are crowd pullers. In this regard, it’s worth noting that the entire temple complex is closed on Mondays.
This temple is thought to have exemplified Indian culture and its evolution over 10,000 years. It powerfully demonstrates the essence of India’s earliest forms of building, spiritual significance and traditions. The visit to the temple is thought to be an educational journey through values, art and their united efforts towards humanity’s harmony, progress and enjoyment. With exhibits like Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra, Yagnapurush Kund, Yogi Hraday Kamal, Sahajanand Pradarshan, Sanskruti Vihar, and Bharat Upavan, the temple complex gives visitors a glimpse into the country’s long history.
Conclusion:
Akshardham Temple is a marvel of architecture located in the heart of India, New Delhi. It is a tribute to Lord Swaminarayan (1781-1830) who was worshipped as a manifestation of god. The temple is a fine example of architectural prowess that upholds the Hindu cultural legacy of thousands of years.
The enormous structure took close to five years to build and was inaugurated on November 6, 2005. Today, the majestic tower stands on the Yamuna River’s banks, attracting millions of tourists and pilgrims worldwide. The phrase Akshardham is composed of ‘Akshar,’ which means eternal, and ‘Dham,’ which means dwelling, which signifies divine or eternal abode.
