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The Akshardham Temple in Delhi
The Akshardham Temple in Delhi is a fairly new religious site, completed in 2005. It is one of the largest Hindu complexes in the world. Its sheer beauty is recognisable, from the mandir itself up to the surrounding structures. The main mandir was made using sandstone, giving it its yellowish facade but the interiors are made with marble. Such combination of different materials give the temple this unique
look and the presence of water works around it along with the gardens add to the elements of grandeur.
Yet the temple complex didn't take a long time to finish, since it was completed within five years. The intricacy of the carvings along the walls and pillars of the temple makes you think otherwise though. Even the smallest carvings of geometric
patterns and floral motifs are very detailed. And the temple also features carvings so huge in size, appearing lifelike. These are the carvings of the elephants, goats, lions and many more animals. The images of deities in the temple also depict the rich tradition of the city.
Your journey won't end in the temple though. You can also visit the different halls inside the temple complex. These exhibition halls are not only religious, they are also quite cultural, showcasing Indian heritage. Starting with the
Hall of Values, also known as the
Sahajanand Darshan, wherein you would be shown dioramas featuring the essential values in life for a person. Then, there's the
Giant Screen Film, also known as the
Neelkanth Darshan, featuring the real-life journey of Neelkanth around India. And lastly, there's the
Cultural Boat Ride, also known as the
Sanskruti Darshan, a 12-minute boat ride taking you back to the ancient history of India and what it has contributed to the world in science, medicine, culture and religion.
Outside the temple complex, you can visit the two gardens. The first one is the
Bharat Upavan, giving you a glimpse of the important and influential people in India. Along with these statues, you are greeted by lush greenery, from the well-maintained grasses to the surrounding trees. The other garden is the
Yogi Hriday Kamal, dedicated to Yogiji Maharaj, the person who contributed so much for the creation of the Akshardham Temple. It is a lotus-shaped garden, representing the ideals contributed by the guru to the world.
By sunset, you can enjoy the
Musical Fountain Show, also known as
Sahaj Anand. The story for the show is derived from the Kena Upanishad, an ancient Vedic text. The fountain itself was designed to be like an ancient baori or step well. It has about 2,870 steps and small shrines surrounding it. Coupled with music, laser lights and sound effects, the show is a great way to end your journey to the Akshardham Temple.
The temple is open from Tuesdays to Sundays and closed during Mondays. It is open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Entry to the temple is free but there are charges for some of its sections. Here are the entry rates for all the different sections of the temple, along with their schedules:
Different Sections of Akshardham Temple (Entry Fees and Schedules)
| Section | Timings | Entry Fee (Adults) | Entry Fee (Seniors) | Entry Fee (Children above 4 years old) | Entry Fee (Children below 4 years old) |
| Swagatam | 9:30 am to 6:30 pm | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Main Mandir | 9:30 am to 8:00 pm | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Main Mandir (Aarti) | 10:00 am to 6:00 pm | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Abhishek Mandap | 9:30 am to 8:00 pm | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) |
| Abhishek Mandap (Aarti) | 6:30 pm | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) | Rs. 50 (Donation) |
| Exhibitions (Sahajanand Darshan, Neelkanth Darshan & Sanskruti Darshan) | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (Ticket counters close at 7:00 pm) | Rs. 170 | Rs. 125 | Rs. 100 | Free |
| Gardens (Bharat Upavan & Yogi Hriday Karmal) | 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (Entry allowed until 6:30 pm) | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Musical Fountain Show (Sahaj Anand) | 6:15 pm & 7:15 pm | Rs. 80 | Rs. 80 | Rs. 50 | Free |
So there you go, a complete list of all the sections inside the complex, including the halls, gardens and musical fountain. Also included above are their timings but keep in mind that the temple complex is closed during Mondays.
I hope this helps you.
