Name: Jaipur
Rating: 3.4

Akshardham Temple, Jaipur Overview

Also known as Swaminarayan Temple, Akshardham Temple in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is dedicated to Lord Narayan or Lord Vishnu and is renowned for its stunning architecture and cultural heritage. Although the construction is relatively recent, the gardens and the views are what attract tourists and devotees to this place. It provides a window into the Hindu culture and its development in the region. The complex houses a magnificent temple surrounded by well-kept landscaped gardens. Located in the heart of the city of Jaipur, Akshardham Temple is one of the holiest and most popular places in the region.

Akshardham Temple is one of the nine temples built in some major cities in India. These temples were built by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan under the Sanstha, Swaminarayan Sampraday which was established in the early 20th century by Ramanand Swami. The Akshardham Temple in Jaipur is dedicated to Lord Vishnu while the other temples are dedicated to other Hindu Gods but all the temples are known as the Akshardham Temple, Swaminarayan Temple or Swaminarayan Akshardham in the respective areas.

History of the Temple

The Akshardham Temple in Jaipur is not an ancient temple and was built sometime between the late 20th century and early 21st century. The place of worship comes under the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi which is one of the two essential seats that form the Sampraday. The headquarter is located in Ahmedabad (Shri Swaminarayan Mandir). When the temples were established, Swaminarayan asked his adopted sons, Ayodhya Prasadji and Raghu Veerji to draw lots to be able to appoint the Acharyas to the Nar Narayan and the Lakshmi Narayan Dev Gadi. The outcome was – Ayodhya Prasadji would be the first Acharya of the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi and Raghu Veerji, the Acharya of Lakshmi Narayan Gadi. Ever since the appointment, both the acharyas are worshipped regularly at the respective temples.

Akshardham Temple Timings

Open from Tuesday to Sunday
· 07:30 AM to 12:00 PM IST
· 04:00 PM to 08:00 PM IST

Akshardham Temple Pooja and Aarti Timings –
· Mangala Aarti – 6:00 AM IST
· Shangar Aarti – 7:30 AM IST
· Rajbhog Aarti – 11:15 AM IST
· Sandhya Aarti – 7:00 PM IST
· Shayan Aarti – 8:00 PM IST

Architecture of the Temple

The temple has a traditional Hindu Temple Architecture with a sanctum sanctorum in the centre of the 23-acre temple complex. The structure is made of Pink Sandstone and White Marble and stands on a raised platform, strikingly, in the middle of beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains. A flight of stairs leads to the main hall of the temple that bears traditional shikharas, ornately decorated sculptures, paintings and intricate stone carvings. Most of these artworks depict the stories of Lord Vishnu, the importance of the Vedas and the development of Hindu Culture as well the teachings of Swaminarayan Sampraday.

The pillared halls at the Akshardham Temple Complex in Jaipur are well-ventilated and offer enough space for visitors to rest other than the benches in the manicured gardens that surround the temple. The complex also houses three major mandapams – the Hari Mandapam, the Vibhuti Mandapam and the Prasadi Mandapam. The Hari Mandapam has a seven-foot-tall idol of Lord Swaminarayan made of gold leaf and decorated with gold and silver ornaments. The second mandapam, Vibhuti Mandapam, has brass lotuses while the Prasadi Mandapam houses the sacred relics of Lord Swaminarayan. There is a small café on the premises and a playground for children too.

Best Time to Visit

October to February are the best months to visit the temple. These months mark the winter season in Rajasthan. The temperature remains pleasant except for peak afternoons (maximum 31°C, minimum 8.5°C). December and January are the coldest months of the season.

The summer season is not as much recommended to tourists because the temperature soars as high as 40°C. The region does not receive a lot of rainfall too (average annual rainfall 139 mm approximately), so the monsoons are also mostly dry. The temperature hovers between 33°C and 24°C which is comparatively hotter than the winter season.

How To Reach Akshardham Temple, Jaipur

Akshardham Temple is located in the central region of Jaipur and can be accessed easily by roadways via Ajmer Road, Hawa Sadak or the Delhi Agra Bypass Road. Public transport can be utilized to reach the attraction. Buses and auto rickshaws are easily available form any part of the city. One can also rent a cab for a more comfortable ride to the temple.
Outstation tourists can reach Jaipur by roadways, railways or airways. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation buses ply frequently to Jaipur. Travellers can disembark at the Sindhi Camp Bus Station and take a short ride to the temple (9.5 kilometres, 20 minutes approximately by car).