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Akshardham Review

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Akshardham

Address: J Rd., Sector 20 (on NH-8C), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Phone: 79/2326-0001; 79/2326-0002
www.akshardham.com/gujarat

Category: Cemeteries
Location: Ahmedabad

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Fodor's Review:

This 23-acre, exquisitely well-maintained cultural and religious complex is dedicated to the Lord Swaminarayan, a 19th-century saint believed by his followers to be an incarnation of god. He founded the Swaminarayan faith, which preaches nonviolence, peace, and love. To build it, it took 13 years and thousands of devoted volunteers interested in preserving Indian heritage and the religious legacy of the Swaminaryan Sanstha, a group who keeps alive the thoughts and vision of Lord Swaminarayan. The whole complex at Akshardham, finished in 1992, is made of 6,000 tons of intricately carved pink sandstone and reflects the creativity of modern India. It includes three temples, four exhibition halls, gardens, a game area, an amusement park, a restaurant, and a bookstore. The largest of the three temples, Hari Mandapam, houses a 7-foot gold-leaf-covered statue of Lord Swaminarayan. Behind the Hari Mandapam is the Vibhuti Mandapam, a temple dedicated to the revelations of Swaminarayan, which are etched in brass and glass structures. At the Hari Smruti, an aarti (prayer or mass) takes place at 7 PM daily. The section titled Sanskruti Vihar showcases India's culture through an interesting 12-minute boat ride. The temple is very popular with locals who flock here for the boat excursion and the rides in the amusement park. Because of a terrorist attack in 2002, security is tight here. No cell phones, cameras, electronic items, video recorders, bags/purses, or food are allowed into the temple—they must all be left at a special holding center (no charge) at the entrance. Shoes must be taken off outside the temple and kept in a shoe checkroom (no fee).

Cost: Temple free, exhibitions Rs. 125
Open: Oct.-Mar., Tues.-Sun. 9:30-6; Apr.-Sept., Tues.-Sun. 9:30-7. Exhibitions Oct.-Mar., Tues.-Sun. 10-5:30; Apr.-Sept., Tues.-Sun. 10-6:30

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