Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi
NH 24, Pramukh Swami Maharaj Marg, near Akshardham Metro, New Delhi · Bhagwan Swaminarayan (11-ft murti) with the guru succession, and shrines of Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, Lakshmi-Narayan and Shiv-Parvati
A vast carved-stone temple on the Yamuna, opened in 2005, with exhibitions, a boat ride through Indian history and an evening water show.
Swaminarayan Akshardham is a large temple and cultural complex built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and inaugurated on 6 November 2005. The central mandir, carved from pink sandstone and white marble without any ferrous metal, has 234 pillars, nine domes and about 20,000 carved figures. Around it are an elephant plinth, a lake of sacred waters, three exhibitions, gardens and the Sahaj Anand water show. Entry and darshan are free; the exhibitions and water show are ticketed. Phones are not allowed inside.
Timings
- Complex (Tuesday – Sunday): First entry 10:00 AM; last entry 6:30 PM. Closed every Monday
- Mandir darshan: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Mandir aarti: 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM
- Abhishek Mandap: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (aarti 6:30 PM)
- Exhibitions: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM; ticket window 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Water show: After sunset (currently 7:30 PM); extra shows on weekends and holidays. Maha Aarti before the first show
Darshan types and costs
- Mandir darshan – Free
- Exhibitions (combined ticket) – Adults (12+) ₹260; seniors (60+) ₹210; children (4–11) ₹160; under 4 free
- Sahaj Anand Water Show – Adults ₹110; seniors ₹110; children (4–11) ₹80; under 4 free
Sevas and costs
- Abhishek of Neelkanth Varni – ₹50 per person (donation) (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Tuesday – Sunday)
- Mandir Aarti – Free (10:30 AM and 6:00 PM, Tuesday – Sunday)
- Abhishek Mandap Aarti – Free (6:30 PM)
- Maha Aarti at Yagnapurush Kund – Free to watch (water show ticket needed for seating in the arena) (After sunset, before the first water show)
How to book darshan
Entry and darshan are free. Exhibition and water show tickets are bought at counters inside the complex on the day; groups and schools can pre-book via the official website.
Dress code
Official dress code: upper wear must cover shoulders, chest, back and upper arms (no sleeveless or low-cut tops); lower wear must extend below the knees (no shorts or short skirts/dresses). Clothing with offensive words or images is not allowed. Sarongs are available to buy for ₹100.
Best time to visit
October–March for Delhi's best weather. Weekday afternoons are quietest. Arrive by 4 PM to see the exhibitions and stay for the water show. Avoid public holidays if you dislike queues.
How to reach
- air: Indira Gandhi International Airport, about 21 km (about 1.5 hours by metro: Airport Express/Orange Line to New Delhi, Yellow Line to Rajiv Chowk, Blue Line to Akshardham).
- rail: Hazrat Nizamuddin (6 km), New Delhi (11 km), Old Delhi (10 km). Akshardham Metro station (Blue Line) is a 350 m walk to Gate 1.
- road: On NH 24 near the Noida Mor flyover; paid parking for visitors.
Festivals
- Diwali and Annakut – October–November
- Swaminarayan Jayanti (with Ram Navami) – Chaitra Shukla Navami (March–April)
- Janmashtami – August–September
- Akshardham anniversary – November