India GO
Akshardham Temple, Delhi: timings, tickets and rules
Swaminarayan Akshardham in Delhi is open Tuesday to Sunday: first entry at 10:00, last entry at 18:30, and it is closed every Monday. Entry to the grounds and the mandir is free; the exhibitions cost ₹260 for adults and the evening water show ₹110. Phones, cameras, electronics and luggage are not allowed inside, so plan to leave them in the free cloakroom.
Akshardham is a magnificent temple complex dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It is one of the most powerful impressions Delhi has to offer. Everything is hand-carved from white marble and pink sandstone.
What's amazing here:
- The architecture is breathtaking; pay attention to the details: carvings, sculptures, ornaments - A vast territory with gardens, ponds, and landscaping where it's pleasant to simply walk around - In the evening, there's an incredible multimedia show: fountains, water projections, lasers, and theatrical performances bring ancient Indian legends to life. The show lasts about 25 minutes and leaves a vivid impression.
The grounds also feature:
- Premvati Food Court: a completely vegetarian restaurant styled like Ajanta caves, serving Indian and continental food: the star dishes include Gujarati thali, rajma-chawal, pav bhaji, and other snacks. - Gift shops and a bookstore, where you can buy photos as souvenirs or gifts that capture the spirit of the place.
Note: There's usually a long queue at the entrance. All belongings must be left in a locker. Smartphones and any electronics are prohibited. You can bring only cash, to buy tickets for the laser show, food, or souvenirs.
Tip: Budget three hours at least. With the exhibitions and the evening show it easily becomes five, which is why the card says 3–5.
A vast temple complex and Delhi's most powerful impression
Tickets
Before you go
No phones, electronics or bagsℹ️ Free cloakroom
Cover shoulders, upper arms and knees (sarongs sold at the gate)Akshardham timings and ticket prices
The complex keeps one gate schedule and several inner ones, and the official site lists them separately.
- Complex: Tuesday to Sunday, first entry 10:00, last entry 18:30. Closed every Monday.
- Mandir darshan: 10:00–20:00. Arti (the lamp offering) at 10:30 and 18:00.
- Exhibitions: ticket window 11:00–18:00.
- Sahaj Anand Water Show: after sunset, currently at 19:30. The Maha Arti is performed before the first show.
Tickets. The grounds and the mandir are free and open to all. Only two things are paid, and prices are the same for every nationality:
- Exhibitions (one combined ticket): adults 12+ ₹260, seniors 60+ ₹210, children 4–11 ₹160, under 4 free.
- Water show: adults and seniors ₹110, children 4–11 ₹80, under 4 free.
The last entry at 18:30 is the answer to the common question about arriving late: after that the gates do not let new visitors in, even though the mandir stays open for darshan until 20:00 and the water show starts later.
Security rules: no phones, no luggage
Everyone passes a metal detector and a pat-down. The official list of items not allowed inside reads: mobile phones, cameras, USB and pen drives, music devices, any electronic items, weapons, umbrellas, luggage, toys, pets, food and drink, tobacco, alcohol, drugs and drones.
- Cloakroom: free. Electronic items must be switched off before you hand them in.
- Dress code: shoulders, chest, back and upper arms covered; no sleeveless, tank or low-cut tops. Lower clothing must reach below the knee: no shorts, skirts or dresses above the knee.
- Shoes come off before the mandir.
Allowed: wallet, money, passport, a ladies' purse, jewellery, belts, jackets, baby food and a water bottle (the last two get an extra check). Expect a security queue at the entrance; the official site warns that waits are longer in peak season and on holidays.
What to see at Akshardham
Akshardham was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 and is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The mandir is carved by hand from pink sandstone and white marble, and the numbers explain why it takes time: 141 feet high, 356 feet long, 234 carved pillars, nine domes and some 20,000 figures of sages, devotees and deities.
- The mandir. Allow about 45 minutes. Below the outer wall runs the Gajendra Peeth, a plinth of carved stone elephants; it is wheelchair accessible, the mandir itself is not.
- The exhibitions. One ticket covers three halls: Sahajanand Darshan (about 55 minutes), Neelkanth Darshan, a large-format film (about 45 minutes), and Sanskruti Darshan, a boat ride through Indian history (about 15 minutes).
- The water show. Sahaj Anand runs 24 minutes after dark: fountains, projections on water and live performers.
- Gardens and the food court. The grounds are good for a slow walk; Premvati is fully vegetarian.
Budget at least three hours. With the exhibitions and the evening show it easily becomes five.
👣 How to get to Akshardham
The complex is in East Delhi, on the bank of the Yamuna.
- By metro
Akshardham station on the Blue Line is about 350 metres from the gate, a short walk.
- Leave the phone behind if you can
If you arrive by taxi, consider leaving your phone and bag at the hotel and skipping the cloakroom altogether.
When to come
Arrive soon after 10:00 on a weekday, outside holidays, or plan for late afternoon if you want the 18:00 arti and the water show. In the latter case, enter well before the 18:30 last entry.
❓ FAQ
What is the cost of an Akshardham ticket?
Entry to the complex and the mandir is free. The exhibitions cost ₹260 for adults (₹210 for 60+, ₹160 for children 4–11) and the water show ₹110 (₹80 for children).
Can we enter Akshardham after 6:30?
No. The last entry is at 18:30, Tuesday to Sunday.
Is Akshardham Temple open all days?
No. It is closed every Monday.
How many hours are enough for Akshardham?
Three hours for the mandir and gardens; four to five with the exhibitions and the evening water show.
Are mobile phones allowed in Akshardham?
No. Phones, cameras and all electronics must be left, switched off, in the free cloakroom.
What time is the Akshardham water show?
After sunset, currently at 19:30. The Maha Arti is held before the first show.
What is the dress code at Akshardham?
Shoulders, chest, back and upper arms covered, and clothing below the knee. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.