Situated in Delhi, Akshardham has been attracting many tourists due to its magnificence and grandeur. It is considered to be one of the wonders of India and has a majestic feel to it. This temple is located on the banks of the holy river, Yamuna in Noida, East Delhi. Being an extremely huge structure, it has attracted many tourists here. The temple is the epitome of grandeur and clearly depicts the rich heritage of India.
Architecture of Akshardham Temple
Spread across a vast area of 30 acres, this majestic temple at once attracts your eyes as you travel from Gazipur towards Nizamuddin Bridge. One of the highlights of the temple is the fact that it has been constructed without the use of steel entirely. Instead it is made of pink sandstone and white marble, the designs at Akshardham are said to be inspired by the famous temples of Badrinath, Somnath and Konark .
This palatial temple is home to 234 intricately and delicately carved ornate pillars, 9 ornate domes and 20 quadrangle shikaras. Apart from such architectural brilliance, the temple is also home to nearly 20, 000 stone idols of sadhus, acharyas and devotees along with a magnificent plinth on elephants carved on stone, also known as Gajendra peeth.
In the centre of the temple is at 141 feet high building made from Italian marble and pink sandstones that were bought from Rajasthan. This enormous structure is dedicated to Bhagwan, Swaminarayan. Under the central dome of the building is the lord Swaminarayan made up entirely of gold.
The architectural brilliance and the rich Indian art are depicted throughout the temple through its ornate pillars which have intricate designs and the ceilings with artwork of the past era. This enormous structure was built in merely five years and 11,000 artisans and volunteers had worked in harmony to create this gigantic structure which is a pure form of architecture combined with spirituality.
Other Attractions
Even though it is a mandir (temple) it also has two huge exhibition halls where visitors get a chance to learn more about Lord Swaminarayan and his journey. These shows are especially created in order to educate the masses about the ancient culture and the importance of Lord Swaminarayan. There is also an Imax Cinema Dome inside which shows the life and history of Lord Swaminarayan.
The temple is also equipped with small kiosks of herbal and natural medicines along with Ayurvedic bazaars. A musical fountain show held after sunset is another attraction to this temple. This refreshing show depicts how the trinity of Hindu Gods namely, Vishnu, Mahes and Brahma are responsible for the smooth working of earth and how they play different roles for the benefit of mankind.
Being a mythological place that depicts the rich heritage of India and the religious culture of the people here, it attracts many tourists to this place. While visiting Delhi, one should make it a point to visit this splendid structure and learn about the rich culture of the nation.
