Akshardham Temple
The Grand Modern Temple on the Yamuna
Overview
Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi, India, is a vast Hindu temple complex opened in 2005 by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Built from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble without structural steel, its intricately carved central monument was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple. The complex includes exhibition halls and an evening water show. It is closed on Mondays, and, importantly, no phones, cameras or electronic items are permitted inside, with free lockers provided. MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted visit that respects these restrictions.
Akshardham is proof that monumental temple-building did not end with the empires, a sprawling complex on the banks of the Yamuna, opened in 2005, that draws on millennia of Hindu craft tradition and executes it at a scale Guinness records as the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple.
The central monument is carved from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, built entirely without structural steel, and ringed by an elephant plinth, exhibition halls and gardens. It is a living devotional site as much as a visitor attraction, and its rules reflect that: entry to the temple is free, but no phones, cameras or electronic items are allowed inside, and security is airport-grade.
MyTripMyTravel arranges an escorted visit built around those restrictions, planning around the Monday closure, allowing for the security queue and locker deposit, and timing the afternoon to catch the evening Sahaj Anand water show.
At a glance
Akshardham Temple in brief
What to see
Highlights
The Akshardham Mandir
The central monument of carved pink sandstone and marble, built without structural steel.
Gajendra Pith
The elephant plinth encircling the base, carved with hundreds of elephants.
Exhibition halls
The Sahajanand, Neelkanth and Sanskruti Darshan halls on Hindu life and heritage.
Sahaj Anand water show
The evening musical water-and-light show in the step-well arena.
Gardens & Narayan Sarovar
The landscaped grounds and the sacred water surround of the monument.
Visitor information
Our tips
Plan around the Monday closure, our planners handle this automatically.
Carry minimal items: no phones, cameras or bags are allowed inside, and security is airport-style.
Stay for the evening Sahaj Anand water show, the complex's signature finale.
Allow extra time for the security screening and locker deposit on arrival.
Good to know
Akshardham Temple, your questions
Is Akshardham closed any day?
Yes, it is closed on Mondays. Our itineraries are built around this.
Can I take my phone or camera inside?
No, phones, cameras and electronic items are strictly prohibited inside and must be deposited at the free lockers; security is airport-grade.
Is entry free?
Entry to the temple is free; the exhibition halls and the evening water show are separately ticketed, which we arrange.
When did it open, and who built it?
It opened in 2005, built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
How long does a visit take?
About 2.5 to 3.5 hours including the exhibitions and the evening water show, plus time for security screening.
More in Delhi
Visit with us
See Akshardham Temple, properly.
A private, chauffeured visit with a licensed expert guide, timed for the best light and the smallest crowds. We fold Akshardham Temple into a wider Delhi and Golden Triangle itinerary, built entirely around you.
- Skip the queue where possible, at the right hour
- Licensed local guide who brings the story to life
- Private car and chauffeur, door to door
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