Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar is a large spiritual and cultural complex dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the BAPS Swaminarayan tradition. Set in about 23 acres of landscaped gardens, the central mandir is built from roughly 6,000 metric tons of pink sandstone without using steel, and is richly carved with deities, motifs and traditional patterns. Inside, the main shrine houses the murti of Swaminarayan, and the complex includes exhibition halls, a satvik food court and a serene garden where families and pilgrims can spend time. The campus is designed to inspire devotion, education and cultural pride, with multimedia shows and exhibitions that explain the life and teachings of Swaminarayan as well as timeless Hindu values. Strict security and dress codes keep the environment calm and respectful, making it both a major pilgrimage centre and a top attraction for visitors to Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
About this place
History & highlights
The temple complex was envisioned by Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor of Swaminarayan, and realised under Pramukh Swami Maharaj of BAPS. Construction took around 13 years and the mandir was inaugurated in 1992. Since then, Akshardham has become a landmark for Gujarat, hosting daily worship, festivals and cultural programmes. A tragic terrorist attack in 2002 led to significant strengthening of security, but the complex was restored and reopened, continuing its role as a symbol of peace and spiritual resilience. Today it is one of the most visited religious sites in western India.
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