Some places are not meant to be seen in a hurry. They are meant to be walked through slowly, so that stone carvings and quiet prayers have time to touch you. Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi is one such place. It stands tall on the banks of the Yamuna, not as a monument from the past, but as a living reminder of devotion in the present.
The pink sandstone, the white marble, the endless carvings — they are not only architecture. They are patience, faith, and craft written in stone. For a visitor, the temple becomes more than darshan. It becomes a full day — of walking through halls, sitting in gardens, watching an aarti, and ending the evening with a water show that looks like the night sky has found its rhythm in fountains.
Akshardham Temple Timings in Delhi
The temple opens its doors at 10:00 AM, and by then the first groups of visitors are already waiting outside. The last entry is at 6:30 PM, and the complex closes on Mondays, when the place rests in silence.
Darshan continues till 8:00 PM, while the evening aarti at 6:00 PM fills the mandir with a sound that is soft but strong enough to stay with you. The Light and Sound Show at Akshardham New Delhi begins after sunset. In winter, it is around 7:15 PM; in summer, closer to 8:00 PM.
If you want to see everything in peace, give yourself a full day. The mornings are calm, afternoons bring more visitors, and by evening, the temple glows under lights like a painting come alive.
Darshan and Attractions at Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi
The heart of Akshardham is the sanctum where Bhagwan Swaminarayan is worshipped. The mandir itself has no steel in its structure, only stone carved by countless hands. Every wall, every pillar, tells its own story — animals, dancers, saints, and gods, all etched with patience.
But the complex is much more than the mandir. There are exhibitions that use films, models, and storytelling to show India’s spiritual heritage. There is the Garden of India, with statues of saints and leaders who shaped this land. The Yogi Hriday Kamal, a lotus-shaped garden, carries inspiring words of wisdom carved into stone petals.
And then there is the Yagnapurush Kund, the stepwell that by day looks like a geometric wonder and by night becomes the stage for the water show.
A visit here is not just darshan. It is a walk through India’s memory and its living culture.
Light and Sound Show at Akshardham New Delhi
When the sun sets, the steps of the Yagnapurush Kund fill with people waiting for the show to begin. Slowly, the sky darkens, and the first sound rises. Water leaps, lights dance, fire flares, and together they tell an old story — of truth, of wisdom, of light conquering darkness.
The Light and Sound Show at Akshardham New Delhi lasts about 24 minutes, but it feels timeless when you are sitting there. The fountains move with music, the projections bring the story alive, and for a moment you forget the city outside.
Tickets are modest — around ₹90 for adults and ₹60 for children — but the experience feels far richer. If you visit in winter, carry something warm, because the air can be cold on the open steps. In summer, arrive early, as the show begins later and the seats fill fast.
It is the perfect way to end the day — prayer in the mandir, aarti at sunset, and then a show where devotion finds its language in light and water.
How to Reach Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple Delhi
The temple is easy to reach. The Blue Line metro stops right at Akshardham Metro Station, and from there it is only a short walk. Many people find this the most convenient way.
By car or taxi, it is about 8 km from Connaught Place, 6 km from India Gate, and around 20 km from the airport. From New Delhi Railway Station, it is a drive of just 15–20 minutes if the traffic is kind.
Buses also connect the area, but the metro and taxi remain the simplest choices. For those planning through Delhi Agra Tour Packages, a cab can take you directly, without the need to switch transport.
Entry Fee and Guidelines
Entry to the mandir and gardens is free. What you pay for are the exhibitions and the water show. The exhibitions cost around ₹170 for adults, ₹125 for senior citizens, and ₹100 for children.
Photography is not allowed inside. Phones, cameras, and bags must be kept in the cloakroom. The rule may feel strict, but once you are inside, you realise the peace that comes without screens and flashes.
The temple has a clean food court where only vegetarian meals are served. Simple thalis, snacks, and sweets are available, making it easy to spend the whole day without stepping out for food.
Best Time to Visit Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi
Delhi summers can be hot, so the best time to visit is from October to March, when the weather is cooler. In monsoon, the gardens look fresh, but heavy rain can delay the water show.
Weekdays are quieter. Weekends bring larger crowds, especially in the evenings. If you want to enjoy the exhibitions without rush, come in the morning. If you want the glow of the lights and the water show, come in the evening — but give yourself enough time for darshan before sunset.
Either way, Akshardham is not a place for haste. The more time you give it, the more it gives you back.
Tips for Visitors
- Arrive by 10:00 AM if you want to see exhibitions and gardens before evening.
- Don’t carry electronics or large bags; use the cloakroom.
- Wear modest, comfortable clothing as it is a temple space.
- Allow 5–6 hours if you want to see everything calmly.
- Stay for the evening aarti at 6:00 PM; it is as peaceful as the water show is spectacular.
Delhi Agra Tour Packages – Visiting Akshardham With Ease
At Delhi Agra Tour Packages, we help visitors explore Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi in a way that feels unhurried. A cab can take you directly to the temple and wait while you complete your darshan and the evening show. For those who want to combine the visit with a city tour or even an Agra day trip, the schedule can be shaped accordingly.
Because some places are not just destinations; they are experiences. And Akshardham is one of them.
FAQs – Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi
Q1. What are the daily timings of Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi?
It opens at 10:00 AM, last entry is at 6:30 PM, and it is closed on Mondays.
Q2. When is the evening aarti held?
The evening aarti is performed at 6:00 PM.
Q3. What time does the Light and Sound Show begin?
It starts after sunset — around 7:15 PM in winter and 8:00 PM in summer.
Q4. Is there any entry fee for Akshardham Temple?
Entry to the temple and gardens is free. Tickets are charged only for exhibitions and the water show.
Q5. Can I take photographs inside?
No. Cameras and phones are not allowed inside the mandir or exhibitions.
Q6. How much time is needed for a visit?
Around 5–6 hours if you want to see the mandir, exhibitions, gardens, and evening show.
Q7. How can I reach the temple by metro?
Take the Blue Line and get off at Akshardham Metro Station, a short walk from the temple.
Q8. Is food available inside?
Yes, the food court serves clean and vegetarian meals.
Q9. What is the best season to visit?
October to March is the best time. Summers can be hot, and monsoon rains may delay the water show.
Q10. Is Akshardham open on Mondays?
No, the temple remains closed every Monday.
