Akshardham... Review on Noida

Akshardham is located between Delhi n Noida. It has been built by BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha) who are famous for their extremely artful tamples with beautiful carvings on the stone.

*First some Numbers:

*Spread across area of 100 (Hundred) Acres.

300, 000 carved stones.

7500 Architects took ONLY 5 years to complete.

Cultural Garden has 22-acres of Lawns, shrubs of 250 varieties.

The stones were carved in Rajasthan n then, brought to Delhi, each stone was assembled like a giant Gigshaw Puzzle.

*Religious Angle:

*This monument is a piligrimage place for people who follow Swaminarayan Sampraday and other followers, Tourist attraction for all other people.  Swaminarayan Bhagwan born in 17th Century in a village near Ayodhya, left his home at the age of 12 and after travelling for 12000 kms in 7 years, settled in Gujarat. The reason behind his travelling was to find the supreme answer of eternal happiness.  During his life of 49 years he showed the path to thousands of people.

Now Let's explore this place:

A question before that: " Wood can float, Steel can't.  What Steel should do to avoid sinking?" I will answer it later.

*The place has many many important Structures:

TEN GATES

*These gates are located along the pathway representing ten directions, symbolizing fredom of thought.  Water screen in each of the gates calms the mind of all mundane thoughts, providing a soothing experience.

Message: "LET NOBLE THOUGHTS COME TO US FROM ALL SIDES."

*BHAKTI DWAR (GATE OF DEVOTION)

*A sight of traditional architecture, culture and nature which expresses dual forms of God (Yin-Yang, shiv-shakti).

*GAJENDRA PEETH

*A fascinating 1070ft long plinth of elephants in stone. Elephants have special place in hinduism, buddhism. This plinth represents the same with nature, man and God.

*MANDOVAR

*It's the external wall of Swaminarayan Akshardham monument which is largest, most intricately carved in India in the past 800 years.

*Narayan Sarovar

*It surrounds Akshardham Monument. The sacred water of 151 rivers and lakes of India flow from 108 gaumukhs into this Sarovar, creating an ambiance of a place of pilgrimage.

*Exhibition Hall (Sahajanand Darshan)

*This is a very very good Audio-Animotronics show divided into different small halls. The principle theme of sculpting one’s life for happiness, success and peace of mind is portrayed in this exhibition. The exhibits portray the messages of ahimsa, endeavor, prayer, morality, vegetarianism, family harmony, etc. through fifteen 3-D dioramas and presentations from the life of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Exquisite settings and statues in each diorama are brought to life through robotics, fibre optics, light and sound effects, dialogues and music; transporting the audience to 18th century India.

It took 50 minutes to see this entire exhibition hall, but you will feel that it took only 15 minutes.

*Giant Screen Film (Neelkanth Varni)

*This is perhaps the best screen of India (you can take my word for it). Screen Measures 85'x65' feets(!!!). This movie filmed in 108 locations of India with 45000 actors. This is the first ever movie filmed in india in WIDE FORMAT FILM. It's an An epic period film featuring an exciting and inspiring pilgrimage of Neelkanth Varni(later known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan), a child-yogi, of 18th century India. Everything about this movie is just too good.

The international large format version of Neelkanth Darshan film is Mystic India. Movie run time is 40 minutes excluding waiting time.

*BOAT RIDE (SANSKRITI DARSHAN)

*This ride shows 10000 year old history of India, take you back into Vedic era, how advanced India was then (India was world's strongest economy thousands  years ago), World's first University and also get familiar with ancient Indian innovaters, scintists like Charak, Shrushruta, Varahmihir, Aryabhatt n so many others....

This ride takes only 15 minutes and will definately leave you asking for more.

*MUSICIAL FOUNTAIN n YAGNAPURUSH KUND

*This is a great combination of Jal (water), Jyoti (Light) n Jeevan (Life). This show has been divided into three parts.Hinduism has three main gods Brahma (G-Generator), Vishnu (O-Operator) n Shiv (D-Destroyer), This 15 minute show has divided into three parts, each segment representing cycle of life with soothing music.  I bet you are not going to forget the experience.

It is the world's largest yagna kund measuring 300' X 300' with 2, 870 steps and 108 small shrines. Its perfect geometric forms testify to ancient India's advanced knowledge in mathematics and geometry.

*Main Monument

*This is the focal point of entire structure. It builts without steel (yes, without steel). It is 141ft high, 316ft wide and 356ft long has 234 beautifully carved pillers, 9 magnificant domes and over 20000 superbly sculpted figures.  At the center of the monument is 11ft high golden murti of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

You can't believe that men can built such a beautiful structure.  THis is not possible without divine blessings.

*Other Important Sections

*Garden of India,

27-feet Bronze statue of Neelkanth Varni

Mayur Dwar,

Yogihriday Kamal.

You can have a very good and reasonably priced food at cafeteria (Premvati). You can find number of food stalls spread across the place, so are rest-rooms.  Entire Place is very well maintained, very clean. You can visit souvenir shop to buy any mementos, they also sell herbal cosmetics under brandname Amrut.

This place has facilities like ATM Machine, telephone booths, cloak room, lost-n-found department, wheelchairs.

Important Tips:

You can't carry any belongings inside.  You have to submit your mobile phones, cameras, books.

This monument remains close on Mondays.

You require at least 5 hours to see the entire place, plz spare enough time.  Avoid rushes, if possible go on weekdays.

This place has something for everyone.

If you are old, it touches you for its spirituality or religousness.

If you are young, you will be fascinated by technology being used.

No matter which religion you follow, it touches you because it teaches the lesson of humanity.

Still if it doesn't touch you, make sure that you are human.

As a child we use to be very pure, free of impurities like greed, lust, envy, pride... As we grow up, we (at least I don't) can't be in that form anymore.  This place may help you in finding that form again.

May God Bless all,

Nayan

P.S. I know this is not the right category, but our dear Jamine madam feel that this review is not good enough to create new topic under tourist attraction.  Let me know what you feel?