Akshardham Temple
Mythology: The initiative of Akshardham was Inspired by HH Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971 CE) and created by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921-2016 CE), constructed by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). 8,000,000+ volunteer hours from 4000+ volunteers around the world went into making the complex.
How To Reach:
Akshardham is in the heart of Gandhinagar and can be easily reached. It is located around 2 km away from the Gandhinagar railway station. CNG auto rickshaws are easily available from all parts of the city. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation provides buses that ply regularly to the Akshardham temple.
History
The Akshardham Temple
complex took over 13 years to build and was inaugurated on October 30th, 1992.
The main complex of the Akshardham Temple is 108 feet high, 131 feet wide and
240 feet long and is built from 6,000 metric tonnes of pink sandstone from
Rajasthan. It has 97 intricately carved pillars and 17 domes which have been
highly ornamented. In addition to these, eight balconies, 220 stone beams and
264 sculpted figures are also here. Architects claim that Akshardham Temple is
built in accordance with Vedic architectural principles, hence no steel or iron
has been used anywhere in the temple. There’s a seven-foot-tall idol of Lord
Swaminarayan which is worshipped here.
