I had been looking forward to the visit to this serene place for quite some time. I have been hearing accolades about Akshardham Temple in Delhi constantly. At last I could be privileged today to visit this temple of peace along with my wife Rashmi and daughter Swati. It is to be seen to be believed. Indeed, a rare experience of solace for me and my family. (14/11/2009)

I have been overwhelmed by the magnificent aesthetic achievement that the temple represents. The modern technological devices and ancient skills have been combined in a rare measure. In one word, it is a marvel created in a modern age.” (12/11/2009)

I along with my wife and other members of the family have had most rewarding spiritual experience for our two hours. The Akshardham – The Eternal Temple truly reminds one of the great Angkor wat of old Kampuchea and the present day Cambodia.
Our prayers to Swami Narayan and his vast numbers of disciples and swamis. (09/03/08)

 

 

Indeed a great piece of spiritual art. The boat ride – 10,000 years of proud history – wonderful experience. (30/12/07)

 

 

“His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his team of dedicated disciples have recreated the ancient civilizational heritage, which we have seen only in theory so far -- in reality with technology. It brings a new dimension of the entire ancient Indian cultural heritage under one roof. Pramukh Swamiji Maharaj has inspired thousands of people across the country and abroad and brought together the best of minds for creating this beautiful cultural complex.”

“It has become a place of visitation, experience and enlightenment. It creatively blends the tradition of stone art and architecture, Indian culture and civilization, ancient values and wisdom and the best of modern media and technology. The multiple layers of this complex express the strength of the mind, the will-power of the human being, the indomitable spirit, flowering kindness, the fusion of scientific and medical talent, myriads of colours – colours of varying cultures, and ultimately the power of knowledge. In essence, it is a dynamic complex with lively images.”

The spirit of that divine child entered into Pramukh Swami Maharaj and we see the breadth of Akshardham – the civilization and heritage of India in dynamic form in front of us.” - 6/11/2005

“This beautiful complex will become the number one monument of Delhi and hundreds of thousands of devotees and visitors will come to visit it from all four corners of the Earth. They will all be impressed by the attractive murtis, and the peaceful and devout atmosphere. Also, they will certainly return with increased spirituality and peace of mind.” - 6/11/2005

 

“Today, I believe that any visitor coming to India and coming to Delhi would not ever fail to visit this place. Just until now, people who come to India, who are visitors, who are keen to see what are the marvels of India, they invariably go to Agra, to Taj Mahal, to several other places, where they get a glimpse of India’s architectural achievements and a glimpse of history as well. But if they come to Akshardham in Delhi, they would see how spiritualism has flowered in India -- how India has become a spiritual giant in the world. Therefore, when I saw it today, I felt elated, I felt elevated.” - 5/11/2005

 

“A remarkable and unique place to visit which one can never forget. First of all, I must compliment all of those who have given us this unique structure, symbolizing the past civilization of our nation. Every child and every youth, belonging to any caste, creed, or religion, must visit this place and draw inspiration from it because the children and youth are the future of our country. And I have no doubt that they will draw the necessary inspiration after having a round of this place. It is a great contribution to the present and future humanity of our country.”

“Sadhus like Pramukh Swami are all the gifts of God to us. It is because of these great people that our country is still moving forward. I am very optimistic that with the blessings of these great people that India will prosper and the downtrodden will not remain downtrodden in years to come.” -15/11/05

 

 

 

“Well, it is something extraordinary. I have never experienced anything like this. I am still trying to recover from the impact it has left. It is really marvellous.”

“It will be one of the finest attractions. Of the twenty-first century, I think this will be one of the best buildings that have been made. Not only is it an extraordinary marvel of architecture, but there is spirituality, devotion, and faith that comes out of a visit to this structure.”

“I can only say that Swamiji has done something, which if you have not seen it, or in fact, even after you have seen it, looks humanly impossible. For a person to have conceptualised this, to have inspired so many people --- he must be God himself on earth to be able to do that.” -04/11/05

 

“To finish this in five years -- it is God’s work -- impossible for any group to achieve. You have been able to achieve two things: The scale and the details. If somebody concentrates on the scale, you lose the details. If somebody concentrates on the details, you cannot have a big scale. You have been able to achieve both – a grand scale and great detail, which is very difficult for such projects.” -13/11/05

 

“This place of pilgrimage is not only a feast to your visible eyes, but also the inner eyes which are prompted to look far beyond, beyond this century, beyond this age, and far beyond to the relationship which man has with God, since the day of creation.
An inspiring atmosphere, with a spiritual effect on your mind and thoughts, it’s a place worth visiting again and again to bring you closer to the Almighty.” -15/11/05

 

“A very rewarding and invigorating visit. The Akshardham monument is a magnificent structure, architecturally superb, with fantastic detail and with lessons for the young and old. The life of Swaminarayan, depicted through robotics episodes and the [Giant Screen] film, is beautiful and spiritually ennobling. Akshardham combines spirituality and high technology in presenting India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.”

“Whether you are a scientist or otherwise, you are really impressed by the spirit of spirituality that you see in Akshardham and I myself feel tremendously invigorated by my visit here today.” – 15/10/05

 

“In terms of architecture, of course, I don’t think sculpting of this quality has been undertaken in recent times, anywhere. And the care with which it has been done -- I know how complicated it was because all the major pieces of the sculpture were being done somewhere else, brought in pieces, put here… and the micron-level accuracy with which these things were done -- I am aware of that. I think it’s a unique effort. It’s a great effort in project implementation which has been done. And it has been done without much fuss but with tremendous amounts of efficiency, and I think it’s a great thing.”
 
“Oh! Pramukh Swami Maharaj is a person who ignites you with enthusiasm. I think he is a fountain of hope and forward movement…The kind of encouragement that radiates from him, I think, is a source of great strength to the people around him and people who come into contact with him.” -2/11/05

 

“I am otherwise not a believer, but there are times when you see such a thing that you have to make yourself believe that there is something like Providence which gives man such power to create such a place. This place, as I am told, is created in just 5 years. I am not only an artist but an architect myself, and I have seen projects being built. And seeing the limitations and style in India, I think normally it would have taken 50 years to build such a thing. But it’s not just the time they took that is admirable but what is created. It is a very beautiful place, very well planned and, as I told you before, it can make a non-believer become a believer. Because there are some things which cannot be explained just by logic. There is something more in it. And in this place I found there was somewhere the hand of Providence that worked and is still working. I congratulate you.”

“If someone asked me that as an artist what I felt, my feeling would be that it can put many an artist to shame these days when they see how devoted artists work. Every pillar, every canopy is a masterpiece and made with such craftsmanship that is incomparable. I think this will become the most important piece of architecture as well as of faith for the city. I do not think any other monument will match it within a few years. It will draw more people to Delhi than anything before.”

“What I will take with me is an image that I cannot describe in words. It has dumbstricken me. I am not a stranger to such things; I have seen the world, I have seen great monuments. It made me very proud that such a place exists just a few miles from where I live.” - 27/10/05

 

 

 

 

“I think Akshardham represents, today, an ideal of the heritage of India. It represents excellence at its best. It represents the values of human life and the larger sense of humanity and the oneness of humanity. And that humanity is one family. “Vasudev kutumbakam” is the underlying ideal of the heritage of India, and Akshardham represents it, its quintessence in the most beautiful manner. Look at the sculpture of any of your temples created during the recent years and you feel what excellence is -- how excellence can be defined.”

“This is not one poem in stone. This is a million poems in stone. One of the great epics of India is Akshardham. That is why I consider this the greatest pilgrimage of the truth, the good and the beautiful. There is no place other than Akshardham where the truth, the good and the beautiful are combined so beautifully.”

"This is truly the greatest gift that Pramukh Swami Maharaj has given to India. It is the greatest temple built in 10,000 years of human history on the face of this Earth." - 2/11/05

 

 

“It was the most exhilarating and uplifting experience of my life. The beauty and splendour of the creation that we saw today left us speechless. One feels proud to be an Indian when one sees the evidence of our rich heritage, values and culture, the like of which does not exist anywhere. It will be my endeavour to see that the entire family of CSIR, with 20,000 members, have the same priviledge that I and my wife had today – namely to see, experience and feel this ‘miracle’ here.” -20/11/05

 

“I didn’t expect anything like this at all. I had seen it from the outside while driving across. What I have seen here is much more than a temple. It is an expression of modern India - with our feet firmly planted in our ancient past. It has been a Bharat-darshan so far. It has also been an immersion in Indian cultural ethos for me. And for just pure sight seeing, I don’t think I have seen anything quite like this anywhere in the world.”

“You know you keep hearing about whether India is shinning, whether India is going to make it, whether it’s going to be a great country – a great power in the 21st century, but then you see what the people have done here. Something that should have taken a decade, something that should have taken 40, 50, 100 years -- you have created this in five years; it’s unimaginable that Indians can do that. I feel very proud to be an Indian to see this. And to all the volunteers: keep up the good work.” – 15/10/05

 

 

“One thing that stands out is that an institution like this, founded so many, many, many years ago, is so much alive today - that is wonderful. There has to be something really moving, really spiritual behind this if it can produce this kind of an impact after so many centuries”

“It has been a wonderful and moving experience – to see this immense work of devotion, of labour, of love and of beauty. This is arguably the greatest monument in Delhi, and it was accomplished in such a short time all because of the greatness of one Great Soul, Pramukh Swami. I am indeed fortunate and blessed that I could witness this.” - 19/10/05

 

“If ever there is again going to be an assessment on the new Seven Wonders of the World, I think this complex is going to get the top-most place. Every Indian should be proud of this. In fact, it is a great contribution to humanity because this is not only the glory of the art and culture of India, but values, living values are being imparted at every stage.”

“This, I think, is something which governments and multinational corporations all over the world should learn. How one person, one sanyasi, one saint who has sacrificed - who has given up everything for the sake of society -- can inspire so much love, affection and dedication is something amazing. That is the biggest of miracles I have seen.” - 30/10/05

 

 

“As a matter of fact, such inspirers are not even rare but they are not available in the world. Because if he fixes a date, however difficult, however impossible things are, he achieves it on that particular date. I have heard so many things about him. Neasden Temple -- he fixed the date; it was impossible, but it was made possible because of the grace of God and the words of Swamiji. And this temple is a jewel on the Earth - not only in Delhi and in India. And the way you put the robotics here; they are life-like; they are amazing. People will forget the house of wax when they will see the robotics here.” - 22/10/05

 

 

 

 

“This abode of Lord Swaminarayan embodies the minutest traits of Hindu religion and mythology. The sculptural renderings are amazing and display the rare and envious artistic skills of Indian artisans. The structure is not only a manifestation of our heritage but is a unique emblem of Hindu values.” - 27/10/05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an excellent monument created to educate the people blending technology, entertainment and spiritualism. - 2/4/06

 

Actually, totally speechless! But I shall have a lot to say. It was the most amazing experience ever. FANTASTIC !!! Mind Boggling !!! Over Whelming !!! - 4/4/06

It we follow Swaminarayan’s followings there can be heaven on this earth. Akshardham Delhi is a power of Spiritualism. Sanskars of India are safe in the hands of Akshardham. - 4/4/06