21-04-2025
US Vice President JD Vance At Akshardham: A Look At The Monument's Spiritual And Architectural Journey
JD Vance's children were seen dressed in traditional Indian attire during the Akshardham Temple visit in New Delhi.
On Monday, April 21, United States Vice President JD Vance began his four-day official visit to India by visiting the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, and their three children, the family headed to the temple soon after landing at Palam Technical Airport. They were received by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and given a ceremonial Guard of Honour, as per officials. Vance's children were seen dressed in traditional Indian attire during the Akshardham Temple visit.
Temple spokesperson Radhika Shukla said, 'The whole family was here for around 55 minutes. Their experience of 1 hour inside was unforgettable. After the welcome, they started with the Charanarvind of Lord Swaminarayan. Moving ahead, they visited Bharat Upvan. They liked the garden very much. Going further, they visited Gajendra Peeth. They were very overwhelmed by the carvings. Then they went upstairs and after having a darshan of the idol of Lord Swaminarayan in the sanctum sanctorum, they prayed for world peace."
The U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance & their children visited Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi—their first stop in India—experiencing its majestic art, architecture & timeless values of faith, family & harmony. #USIndiaRelations #BAPS #Akshardham — Swaminarayan Akshardham – New Delhi (@DelhiAkshardham) April 21, 2025
Here's a closer look at the temple's origin, construction, and journey to becoming one of modern India's most iconic religious sites.
The Delhi Akshardham Temple was envisioned by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The idea was to create a timeless space of worship and learning that would showcase India's spiritual heritage and values.
According to BAPS, the temple's inspiration came from Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830), a 19th-century saint and social reformer who is venerated by millions of followers. Plans for the Delhi complex began in the 1990s. After discussions with the Government of India and the Delhi Development Authority, land was allotted in East Delhi, on the banks of the Yamuna River.
The Construction Journey
Construction began in 2000, and the temple was completed in just five years with the help of over 8,000 volunteers and artisans. The project was managed and funded by the BAPS trust, which oversaw every detail from design to execution.
The temple was formally inaugurated on November 6, 2005, by the then President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, and Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It has since become a major spiritual and tourist destination, attracting dignitaries and visitors from across the world.
Architectural Style
The Akshardham mandir was built entirely using traditional Vedic architectural principles, without steel or concrete in its main structure. Materials include pink sandstone from Rajasthan and white marble from Carrara, Italy.
The central shrine stands 141 feet tall, stretches 316 feet wide, and runs 356 feet long.
It features over 20,000 carvings of Hindu deities, saints, animals, and motifs from scripture.
Its design draws heavily from ancient Indian temple architecture, including elements found in Odisha, Gujarat, and Rajasthani styles.
What the Complex Includes
The temple is part of a larger cultural and spiritual complex, which includes:
Sahajanand Darshan (Hall of Values): Animatronic and audio-visual exhibits based on Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life and teachings.
Neelkanth Darshan: A giant-screen film on the teenage spiritual journey of Swaminarayan across India.
Sanskruti Darshan (Boat Ride): A 12-minute indoor ride showcasing 10,000 years of Indian civilisation and contributions to science, art, and philosophy.
Yagnapurush Kund: The world's largest stepwell-style musical fountain used for a light and sound show every evening.
Global Recognition
In 2007, the temple was recognised by Guinness World Records as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple. Its swift construction, intricacy, and scale have drawn praise from scholars, tourists, and spiritual leaders alike.
Why It Matters
Akshardham is not only a centre of worship for followers of Swaminarayan but also a place where Indian heritage is presented in a format accessible to global audiences. The inclusion of exhibitions, guided tours, and interactive displays makes it a rare blend of tradition and technology.
Vice President JD Vance's visit to Akshardham is symbolic in this context, reflecting a growing global interest in India's cultural soft power and the enduring relevance of its spiritual traditions.
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Akshardham Temple JD Vance
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