There are many places to visit in Delhi, but few sites are a must to visit. Akshardham Temple is one of such places, without visiting which your Delhi jaunt is incomplete. Let’s have a look at this beautiful piece of architecture.
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is one of the largest temples in India. This temple was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 and this temple gives a glimpse of 10,000 years old Indian civilization. The spread of the entire complex of the Akshardham temple is 83,342 square feet. The architecture of this temple has been done in such a way that it can last 1000 years or more.
Countless sculptures
Delhi’s famous tourist spot Akshardham Temple has more than 200 stone sculptures in which Indian Gurus, Sadhus, and Gods are seen. It has 234 stone-studded pillars and 9 gem-studded domes. If we take the sculptures of this entire complex into account, there are more than 20000 different sculptures made of different metals, wood and stone.
A lake made up of water from 151 holy sites
Around the Akshardham temple is Narayan Sarovar, in which water from 151 holysites of India has been mixed. The lake is surrounded by 108 cow heads, which represent 108 deities of Hinduism. Besides, 3000 feet long path of circumambulation has been made with red stones brought from Rajasthan.
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The famous Lotus Garden
A beautiful garden has also been built in the Akshardham temple complex which is in the shape of a lotus. That’s why it is called Lotus Garden. If you look at it from above, it will look like a big lotus is blooming. Not only the words of Swami Vivekananda and Hindu religious leaders but also quotes of people like Shakespeare and Martin Luther have been engraved on the stones of this garden.
Significance of 10 doors
Interestingly, this temple has 10 doors. These doors signify the 10 directions of Vedic literature. They show that good can come from any side.
Largest fire altar in the world
Akshardham Temple has a Yagyapurush Kund which is the largest fire altar in the world. After climbing 108 small temples and 2870 steps, one can reach this fire altar. The Guinness Book of World Records declared this temple as the largest Hindu temple on 17 December 2007.
In-house theatre
There is also a theatre inside the Akshardham temple. One can know about Swaminarayan in this theatre. A documentary is shown in this. Besides one can also know about Swaminarayan through a boat ride here.