Tourism > India > Gujrat > Gujrat Temples >Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple

Location: Gandhinagar

Dedicated to: Swaminarayan

Creator: Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Inaugurated In: 1992

Akshardham is situated in the capital city of Gandhinagar, which lies near Ahmedabad. The magnificent temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. It was constructed on the directions of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Sanstha. The complex of this temple is the largest in Gujarat. Akshardham temple was inaugurated in the year 1992 and has become a major tourist attraction in India, during the last decade. It has a sprawling 23 acre area and is chiseled out in pink sandstone.

It stands tall with a height of 108 feet and 6000 tones of stone were used in its construction. The magnum opus monument in rock is built according to the Vaastu Shastra (architectural treatise) and not even an inch of steel has been used. The main shrine contains a 1.2 ton gold plated idol of Lord Swaminarayan. The 7 foot high idol is built in a sitting posture, with his right hand raised in abhay mudra. He is accompanied by two other idols of his disciples on both sides. Swami Gunatitanand is on his right and Swami Gopalanand on his left.

A special light and sound show is organized for the visitors here. The show depicts the glorious past of Sanatan Dharam. Millions of visitors come to Akshardham Temple of Gujarat every year and enlighten themselves with Hindu philosophy. They learn a lesson of universal brotherhood and unity and pledge to follow the teachings of Hinduism in their daily life. Apart from this there are a number of other worth-seeing places in the temple compound.

Sahajanand Van

Sahajanand Van is a garden around the temple. It has a lake, a waterfall, a children's park, rides and games and an herbal garden. You can enjoy and relax here. It also contains a marble statue of Lord Swaminarayan.

Halls

There are three halls in the temple premises and exhibitions are held here from time to time.

* Hall 1: Sahajanand

This hall exhibits the life history of Lord Swaminarayan, via imaginative settings and shows.

* Hall 2: Sat-Chit-Anand

This hall is used to present an IMAX large format film named 'Mystic India'. It is an epic on the history of India. It also elaborates on the journey of the Lord to various places since childhood.

* Hall 3: Nityanand

The message of Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata is given to the people, via wall paintings and figures. There are even exhibitions on the ancient Indian era and world religions.