Akshardham Temple is a marvel of architecture that unfolds the cultural legacy of 10,000 years. The construction of this grand structure took around five laborious years. Today, this imposing monument, standing on the banks of the serene Yamuna River near Nizamuddin Bridge in Delhi, attracts millions of tourists and devotees to its doorstep. In November 2005, Akshardham Temple was inaugurated by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the honorable President, and Mr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India.
The Grandeur and Significance of Akshardham Temple
Swaminarayan Akshardham has been accredited as the largest temple complex in India. It is amazing to know that this temple is built entirely out of stone, following the principles of Sthaapatya Shastra, the ancient architectural science of India. No iron or steel has been used in the construction of the Akshardham Temple. The massive beams used for support are single pieces of stone, each 22 feet long. The intricately carved pillars appear as though poetry itself has been etched into stone.
This colossal temple comprises 234 intricately carved pillars, 9 flamboyant domes, 20 quadrangled spires, and the magnificent Gajendra Pith. It also boasts over 20,000 idols and statues representing revered Indian figures—sadhus, devotees, acharyas, and divine personalities. Rising to a height of 141 feet, the tallest spire of the Akshardham Temple houses the sacred image of Lord Swaminarayan.
An enormous sum of ₹2 million was spent on the construction of this majestic place of worship. Over 6,000 tons of pink sandstone, all sourced from Rajasthan, were used to ensure the temple’s endurance for a thousand years. With more than 12 million man-hours and the skilled hands of 11,000 artisans, every nook and corner of the Akshardham Temple was carefully crafted. The temple’s grand design offers glimpses of diverse architectural traditions from across India, brought together in perfect harmony.
Just like the Akshardham Temple celebrates India’s heritage through stone, Kerala mural paintings bring divine stories to life through color and tradition. If you’re looking for custom mural paintings inspired by India’s spiritual and architectural wonders, contact us here — we deliver all over India.