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Akshardham Temple
The latest entry to the Delhi’s list of tourist attractions, the huge structure and complex of Akshardham Temple situated on the banks of River Yamuna was built in 2005. Sprawled across 32 acres of land, it was amazingly completed in just five years by 11,000 construction workers. The temple complex made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in just two years as the world’s largest Hindu Temple. Built in pink sandstone, marble and wood, the temple has been built on ancient Panchshastra and Vaastu Shastra concepts and does not use steel anywhere to make it last for at least 1000 years. |
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| India Tours » India Travel Guide » Delhi Travel Guide » Akshardham Temple |
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| Akshardham Temple |
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Intricate carvings at Akshardham are reminiscent of the stunning Indian temples and heritage monuments dating back to ancient times and have brought back the craze fo r the art with full force. Belonging to the Swaminarayan sect, Akshardham Temple has already made it to the top of popular tourism destinations in North India. The Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the leader and religious guru of the sect has also been honored with an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for construction of over 700 elaborate temples worldwide.
Over 100,000 visitors visit Akshardham Temple at Delhi everyday and 850 volunteers work at the complex on a daily basis to manage crowds that seems to get lost in the huge premises in no time. Sprawling green landscaped gardens and the large shrine in the center are a study in landscaping and architecture but it is the stunning exhibition that makes the trip to Akshardham so interesting. The 3-hour long exhibition is divided into three parts: light and sound shows with amazing automated puppets narrate and enact some of the most important incidents of the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, followed by a well-shot IMAX feature based on His Life, and a boat ride in an artificial stream that takes you through Vedic-period villages and lifestyle.
This boat ride is perhaps the most amazing part of the entire exhibition as it introduces us to India’s achievements and contributions in almost all arenas – be it political systems, medical science, dance, arts, music, astronomy, aeronautical sciences, and sustainable environmental-friendly lifestyle. It also offers you replicas of some of the most beautiful architectural heritage monuments at the time when they were pristine and new. The musical fountain display at the end, on the rhythmic tune of mantra chants, amidst step wells where devotees can meditate are quite amazing and evoke an ultimate spiritual experience. |
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