Quick answer: Swaminarayan Akshardham is a large Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Yamuna in east Delhi, built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and opened on 6 November 2005. Entry and darshan are free. It is closed on Mondays, and as of October 2026 the official website gives first entry at 10:00 am and last entry at 6:30 pm. Mobile phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside, so plan to use the free cloakroom.
Akshardham Delhi at a glance
| Detail | As of October 2026 (per akshardham.com) |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Akshardham Metro station, east Delhi, on the banks of the Yamuna |
| Open | Tuesday to Sunday; first entry 10:00 am, last entry 6:30 pm |
| Closed on | Every Monday |
| Mandir darshan | 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; arti at 10:30 am and 6:00 pm |
| Entry fee | Free for the complex and mandir darshan |
| Exhibitions (combined ticket) | ₹260 adults (12+), ₹210 seniors (60+), ₹160 children (4 to 11), free under 4; ticket window 11:00 am to 6:00 pm |
| Water show (Sahaj Anand) | ₹110 adults and seniors, ₹80 children (4 to 11), free under 4; after sunset (currently 7:30 pm) |
| Time needed | About 45 minutes for the mandir; half a day with the exhibitions and water show |
Prices and times change, so check the official Akshardham website (akshardham.com) on the day you plan to go.
Rules to know before you go
- No phones or cameras. Mobile phones, cameras, pen drives, music players and other electronics are not allowed. Leave them at the free cloakroom before the security queue, switched off. Money and valuables cannot be deposited.
- No bags. Luggage is not allowed; a ladies’ purse and a wallet are. Food and drink, umbrellas, toys, pets, tobacco, alcohol and drones are also prohibited.
- Dress code. Clothes must cover the shoulders, chest, back and upper arms, and reach below the knees. Sleeveless or low-cut tops and shorts or skirts above the knee are not allowed. Sarongs can be hired at the gate for ₹100.
What does Akshardham mean?
In Swaminarayan Hinduism, Akshardham means the divine abode of God. The Delhi complex is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781 to 1830), and it is meant to be both a place of worship and a cultural centre where exhibitions present Hindu values, history and art.
History of Akshardham Temple Delhi
The idea of a temple on the banks of the Yamuna in Delhi was a wish of Yogiji Maharaj, then the spiritual head of BAPS, in 1968. His successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, took the project forward.
- 2000: In April 2000 the Delhi Development Authority offered about 60 acres and the Uttar Pradesh government about 30 acres for the project. Construction began on 8 November 2000.
- Construction: About 7,000 carvers and 3,000 volunteers worked on the complex, which took almost five years to build.
- 6 November 2005: Pramukh Swami Maharaj consecrated the complex, and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam dedicated it to the nation. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani attended.
- 17 December 2007: Guinness World Records presented BAPS with the record for the “World’s Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple” at the time.
The complex was a featured attraction during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, whose Games Village was built nearby.
Architecture of the mandir
The central mandir is built in traditional Hindu temple style, following the ancient texts on temple building, the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra. It is made of Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, and more than 6,000 tonnes of pink sandstone came from Rajasthan. According to BAPS, no ferrous metal (iron or steel) was used in the mandir.
The official figures for the main mandir are:
- 141.3 feet high, 316 feet wide and 356 feet long;
- 234 intricately carved pillars, 9 domes and 20 quadrangled spires;
- 20,000 statues of Hinduism’s spiritual personalities;
- nine thematic mandapams (pillared halls).
Inside the mandir
The inner sanctum (garbhagruh) holds the murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan under the central dome, together with murtis of the spiritual successors in his tradition. Around it are altars to four other deity pairs: Sita-Ram, Radha-Krishna, Lakshmi-Narayan and Shiv-Parvati. Each of the nine mandapams has carved pillars, domes and ceilings; several depict episodes from Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life.
Around the mandir
- Mandovar: the outer wall of the mandir, 25 feet high and 611 feet long, with 200 carved stone figures of sages, devotees and incarnations. (An earlier version of this article said 2,000 figures; the official figure is 200.)
- Gajendra Peeth: the plinth at the base of the mandir, carved with 148 life-sized elephants and stories of elephants from Indian scripture and folklore, including the Panchatantra.
- Narayan Peeth: a walkway around the mandir with three bronze relief panels, each 60 feet long, showing episodes from Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life.
- Gates: visitors enter through the Bhakti Dwar (Gate of Devotion) and the Mayur Dwars (Peacock Gates). Between the peacock gates is a large marble replica of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s footprints.
- Yagnapurush Kund: a large stepped tank modelled on traditional stepwells, with 2,870 steps and 108 small shrines. The Sahaj Anand water show is held here after sunset. A bronze statue of Neelkanth Varni (the young Swaminarayan as a yogi), about 27 feet tall, stands nearby. (An earlier version of this article said 29 feet.)
Exhibitions and the water show
One combined ticket covers the three exhibitions; they cannot be booked separately:
- Sahajanand Darshan: a hall of values (love, non-violence, service, honesty and peace) told through animatronic figures, dioramas and short films; about 55 minutes.
- Neelkanth Darshan: a giant-screen film following the young Neelkanth’s journey across the Indian subcontinent; about 45 minutes.
- Sanskruti Darshan: a 12-minute boat ride through scenes from thousands of years of Indian history and its contributions to the world.
The Sahaj Anand water show combines fountains, lights and projections at the Yagnapurush Kund, and the Maha Arti is held before the first show.
How to reach Akshardham
- Metro: Akshardham Metro station is about 350 metres from Gate 1. Leave the station and turn right, walk 100 metres, turn right again and walk about 250 metres, according to the temple’s directions.
- Road: Cabs and auto-rickshaws can drop you at the main gate.
- Rail and air: Hazrat Nizamuddin and New Delhi are the main railway stations nearby, and Indira Gandhi International Airport is the city’s airport.
Tips for visiting
- Weekends and holidays are very crowded; weekday mornings soon after opening are quieter.
- Arrive well before sunset if you want the water show; seats fill up.
- Since phones are not allowed, agree a meeting point with your group in advance.
- Allow time for the security check and the cloakroom queue.
Nearby places to visit
Akshardham pairs well with other modern places of worship in south and east Delhi, such as the Lotus Temple and the ISKCON Temple at East of Kailash. For Mughal history, Humayun’s Tomb is across the river in Nizamuddin.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entry fee for Akshardham Temple Delhi?
No. Entry to the complex and mandir darshan is free. Tickets are only needed for the exhibitions and the water show.
Is Akshardham open on Monday?
No. Akshardham is closed every Monday.
Can I take my phone into Akshardham?
No. Phones, cameras and other electronics must be left at the free cloakroom before security.
Who inaugurated Akshardham Temple in Delhi?
Pramukh Swami Maharaj consecrated it, and President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam dedicated it to the nation on 6 November 2005.
What time is the Akshardham water show?
The Sahaj Anand water show starts after sunset; in October 2026 the official site gives the time as 7:30 pm.
Timings, ticket prices and rules were checked in October 2026 on the official Akshardham website; history was checked against BAPS and published records of the 2005 opening and 2007 Guinness record. Confirm details on the official site before visiting.
