 The imposing Akshardham Temple and cultural complex, is a magnificent work of architecture which used 12,000 tonnes of sandstone and white marble. Spread over 100 acres on the eastern banks of the Yamuna river, no steel has been used in the structure which cost a whopping Rs. 200 crores and was built in five years. It was the effort of over 11,000 craftsmen and 300 million man hours.The main monument 141 feet high, 316 feet broad and 370 feet long, has 239 ornately carved pillare and nine domes. It has an 11-foot high gold plated idol of Swaminarayan. There are also idols of Lakshmi-Narayan, Shiv-Parvati, Radha-Krishna and Sita-Ram. There are also over 20,000 idols of disciples carved on the inside and outside walls.The campus also has a Disneyland kind of 12-minute boat ride to make visitors sail through the vast magnitude of Indian culture, models of Ajanta and Ellora caves and thematic settings of India’s glorious have been brought to life through dummy depictions. The building has carvings of 869 peacocks and 149 full-sized elephants and the campus has lush green lawns.No briefcases, carry bags or any electronic items like cameras and even cellphones are allwed and have to be eposited in cloak rooms.
Timings : 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.(Mondays closed).
Entry free: A ticket of Rs. 125 for adults and Rs. 75 for children and senior citizens will be charged if one wants to visit the exhibition halls and view a feature film on Lord Satyanarayan’s life.
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