TempleGuide
Home / Delhi / Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, Yamuna bank, New Delhi

Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi: the Guinness-record temple that ends the day in fire and water

On the east bank of the Yamuna near Noida Mor stands the largest comprehensive Hindu temple complex in the world, hand-carved from pink Rajasthani sandstone and Italian Carrara marble by 11,000 artisans and volunteers and consecrated on 6 November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Entry to the mandir and gardens is free; the ticketed exhibitions and the after-dark Sahaj Anand water show are what turn a two-hour visit into a half-day. Come knowing three things before you leave home: it is shut every Monday, no phones or cameras are allowed past the gate, and knees and shoulders must be covered.

The carved pink-sandstone main monument of Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi, crowned by its central domePhoto: BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, via Wikimedia Commons (uploaded by Nikhil K.)
Darshan timings
Tue-Sun 9:30 AM-6:30 PM; closed Mon
Mandir entry
Free (exhibitions and water show ticketed)
Nearest station
Akshardham Metro (Blue Line) approx 350 m
Signature stat
World's largest comprehensive Hindu temple (Guinness, 2007)
TimingsHow to reachAartiDress & rulesBest timeNearbyWhere to stayFAQ

Darshan timings at Swaminarayan Akshardham

Darshan timings by season
SeasonOpensDarshanClosesStatus
All year (Tue-Sun)9:30 AM9:30 AM to 6:30 PM6:30 PMOpen
Every MondayClosedClosed all dayClosedOpen
Exhibitions (last entry)10:00 AM approxTicket counter shuts approx 5:30 PM5:30 PM approxOpen
Verify before you travel. The mandir and gardens are free and open Tue-Sun 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, closed every Monday. The last entry / ticket counter for exhibitions closes around 5:30 PM, roughly an hour before the complex shuts, so arrive by mid-afternoon if you want the exhibitions. Timings can shift on festival days; confirm on the official BAPS Akshardham site before travelling. Aarti times listed here are approximate and should be reconfirmed on arrival.

Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →

How to reach Swaminarayan Akshardham, Delhi

Akshardham sits on National Highway 24 (NH-9) beside the Yamuna, straddling the Delhi-Noida boundary. The metro drops you almost at the gate, which is by far the easiest arrival; road traffic on NH-9 can be heavy at weekends and on festival evenings.

Reaching by rail, road and air
ModePointDistanceNotes
MetroAkshardham Metro Station (Blue Line)approx 350 mShortest walk of any option; a 5-minute stroll to the entry plaza. Blue Line connects Dwarka, Rajiv Chowk and Noida.
RailwayAnand Vihar Terminal / New Delhi Railway Stationapprox 5-6 km / approx 10 kmAnand Vihar is nearest; New Delhi and Nizamuddin stations are the main long-distance railheads, both about 8-12 km by road.
AirIndira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)approx 22-24 kmAbout 45-70 minutes by cab depending on traffic; airport metro plus a Blue Line change is a cheaper alternative.
RoadCentral Delhi (Connaught Place)approx 10-12 km20-40 minutes by cab via ITO / NH-9. Cars and taxis park on site; there is no vehicle entry into the complex itself.

Read the full How to Reach →

Puja & aarti schedule

  • Morning aarti (Mangala / Shangar)approx 10:00 AM
  • Neelkanth AbhishekThrough the day during opening hours
  • Sandhya (evening) aartiapprox 6:00 PM
  • Sahaj Anand water showAfter sunset, approx 7:15 PM (summer); earlier in winter
As a BAPS mandir, the daily ritual centres on abhishek of Neelkanth Varni and the morning and evening aarti before the murtis, rather than a long multi-slot puja calendar. Exact aarti times vary a little by season and are announced inside; treat the times below as approximate and confirm at the gate. Devotees can also sponsor and perform the Neelkanth Abhishek during opening hours.

Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →

Dress code & temple rules

Dress modestly: shoulders, chest and upper arms must be covered for everyone.

Lower garments must fall below the knee; shorts, mini skirts and short dresses are not permitted.

Free sarongs / wraps are lent at the entrance if your clothing does not meet the code.

Photography is completely banned inside. Mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches and all electronics must be left at the free cloakroom at the entrance.

Security screening is airport-style; leave large bags, tobacco, and any food behind as they are not allowed in.

Shoes are deposited at the free shoe stand before entering the mandir.

Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →

Best time to visit & festivals

October to March is the comfortable window, when Delhi's heat has broken and the open sandstone plaza is pleasant to walk. Any clear evening rewards you with the water show, but the temple is at its most alive around Diwali and Annakut, when the mandir is lit and a mountain of vegetarian dishes is offered.

Major festivals
FestivalWhenSignificance
DiwaliOctober / November (Kartik)The complex is decorated and lit; the biggest crowd of the year, paired with Annakut the following day. Peak
Annakut (Govardhan Puja)The day after DiwaliHundreds of vegetarian dishes are arranged before the deities as a thanksgiving offering; a signature BAPS celebration. Peak
Swaminarayan JayantiMarch / April (Chaitra, Ram Navami time)Birth anniversary of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, marked with special mahapuja and festivity.
JanmashtamiAugust / September (Bhadrapad)Krishna's birth celebrated with darshan and devotional programmes.

Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →

Nearby temples & tirths

Banke Bihari, Vrindavan

Banke Bihari, Vrindavan

Beloved Krishna shrine in the Braj heartland, an easy day-trip south of Delhi.

approx 150 km from Swaminarayan Akshardham →
Prem Mandir, Vrindavan

Prem Mandir, Vrindavan

Modern marble temple famous for its illuminated evening light show, near Banke Bihari.

approx 150 km from Swaminarayan Akshardham →
Mansa Devi, Haridwar

Mansa Devi, Haridwar

Hilltop Shakti shrine reached by ropeway above the Ganga, a popular onward pilgrimage.

approx 210 km from Swaminarayan Akshardham →

Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →

Where to stay

There is no pilgrim dharamshala inside Akshardham, so visitors stay in the surrounding city. The closest cluster of hotels is across the river in Noida and Mayur Vihar / Preet Vihar in East Delhi, a short metro hop away and handy if you want to arrive early. Budget and mid-range options sit around Laxmi Nagar and Nizamuddin, while central Delhi (Connaught Place, Paharganj, Karol Bagh) offers the widest range and easy Blue Line access. Because the mandir closes by evening and the water show ends after dark, an East Delhi or Noida base makes the late return simplest.

Read the full Where to Stay →

Frequently asked questions

Akshardham Delhi timings today
The temple is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and closed every Monday. Exhibition ticket counters shut earlier, around 5:30 PM, so arrive by mid-afternoon for the shows.
Is Akshardham Delhi open on Monday
No. Swaminarayan Akshardham is closed every Monday. Plan your visit for any other day of the week.
Nearest metro station to Akshardham temple Delhi
Akshardham Metro Station on the Blue Line is about 350 metres away, roughly a 5-minute walk to the entrance plaza.
Akshardham Delhi entry ticket price and water show timing
Entry to the mandir and gardens is free. The three exhibitions cost about Rs 220 adults, Rs 170 seniors, Rs 120 children (4-11). The Sahaj Anand water show is a separate low-cost ticket and starts after sunset, around 7:15 PM in summer.
Can you take your phone or camera inside Akshardham Delhi
No. Mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches and all electronics are banned inside and must be deposited at the free cloakroom at the entrance. Photography is not permitted anywhere in the complex.

Compiled from public sources including Swaminarayan Akshardham (Delhi) - Wikipedia · Largest Hindu temple - Guinness World Records · Delhi Tourism - Akshardham Temple timings and tickets · Darshans Booking - Akshardham entry tickets and water show guide. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.