Recently i visited Swaminarayan Akshardham aka Akshardham(
स्वामिनारायण अक्षरधाम) Temple, i went there using Blue line Delhi Metro(DMRC). It was nice journey, as metro is very comfortable and economic.
I just wanted to share, how to reach, what to take, when to reach, Timings etc.
Entry is permitted from 9AM to 6.30PM
It takes around 1-1.5 hour to enter into the temple. as various security checks and deposite of your electronics items
Deposit of your Belongings:
You can not take Any electronic item like
- Cellphone/Pager
- Cameras any
- ladies hanging purse
- Pan drive etc.
You have to deposit it at counters, they do not take any charges.
but take time due to long queue. Average Time: 20-30 minutes
so if you want to save time, don't carry these items.
After depositing you have to go through again long queue, which is actually security check queue like Airports.
About Exhibition: Exhibition in one of the main attraction which takes tourist to the temple. It is awesome experience actually
Its big screen IMAX screen, Duration about 1:45 minutes.
Ticket Price: 175-200.
Very hard to get tickets, no online mechanism. But they are having very limited tickets. last show is at 6:30.
So go early to get ticket of Akharsdham film. You should reach in after-noon around 1-2 or earlier to get the tickets.
About Music Fountain: Who can not afford ticket of Exhibition, or get houseful board. they choose MF.
Ticket: 20/30
They show Human from birth to death using musical/colored fountains.
Worth to see once.
There is small restaurant near musical fountain also. you can get snacks/water/cold drink from there.
In-house Big Restaurant(Premvati). Akshardham also have in-house restaurant of their own at exit. you can have thali, dosa (Rs 50), idli, chole bhature(50), Poori(50), dhokla (40), egg less pasteries(40), lassi(35), samosa(15/2), Special Swaminarayan khichdri (50).
Rates are high according to the temple but as per Delhi they are fine.
Its considerably clean.
Timing: 11:00 am to 10:00 onwards
on website its written as 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, but as musical fountain finish at 8pm. so restaurant is open about 1.30 hours after that
Photo shoot: Camera not allowed, but you can get you photo clicked in front of temple using their employed Cameraman. they charge something around just Rs 200 for 8x12 Size photo
.
Donation: You can also donate there, if you want. i don't feel like that. because Mandir's Income source is very good as they earn like Lacs per day from musical fountain, Film Exhibition, food court, books and photo sale.
Who's Who: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is the one who takes care of the Mandir.
Temple Staff Behavior: Temple people are rude, they are not polite. from Gateman, Pentryman to other trust guys.
Seemed like Businessman to me.
No pet, no smoking, no alcohol, No Clothes allowed shorter than knee. else you have to take a clothe and Wrap it, via depositing Rs 100 as security.
How to reach from different part of delhi.
1) From New Delhi Railway station: Via Metro -
From New Delhi station take Metro upto Rajiv Chownk (yellow line). 5-7 minues
on Rajiv chowk take blue line metro to Akshradam. 20 minutes.
At Akshardham metro, exit using gate 1. after exiting take right after about 100 meter take Right again.. again 50 mtr.
2) From Old Delhi. - Via Metro
From Old delhi station/Chandni chownk take Yellow line metro upto Rajiv Chownk. 8-10 minutes.
on Rajiv chowk take blue-line Metro to Akshradham. 20 minutes.
At
Aksardham Metro, exit from gate 1. after exiting take right after about 100 meter take Right again.
3) From Noida - Via Metro:
Direct blue line metro from Sector 21 passing through all noida sectors. reach Akharsham in 20 minutes.
4) From Gurgaon Via Metro:
Take Metro from Gurgaon (yello line) upto Rajiv Chowk.
then same as specified in 1.
5)
From Dwarka Via Metro.
Take blue line from any dwarka metro station, it take directly to Akharsdham.
Time: 45 minutes- 1 hour.
It was good experience..
Let me know. if you want to know anything else.
Wiki page:
Temple Website
