Akshardham Temple

Eastern Delhi consists of three administrative districts: East Delhi, North East Delhi and Shahdara, which are all on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River. Akshardham is the most famous attraction in the district.

Get in

Red  1 , Blue  3/4 , Pink  7  lines crisscross Eastern Delhi.

See and do

• 1 Akshardham (Hindi: अक्षरधाम Akṣardhām; Delhi Akshardham, Swaminarayan Akshardham), off National Hwy 24 (metro: Akshardham  3/4 ). Tu-Su 9AM-7PM. Completed in 2005 by the socio-spiritual organisation BAPS, no expense has been spared in decorating this large and elaborate temple carved of red sandstone. The central monument, built without any steel, houses an 11-ft golden statue of the founder of the Swaminarayan faith, Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The Premvati food court on the grounds serves up fast, cheap, huge but mediocre portions of vegetarian food, ₹75 for a thali. There is a strict ban on all electronic items, cameras, tobacco and pretty much everything except the clothes on your back. You can leave your belongings in the cloakroom outside. Allow at least three-four hours to explore it all. Free entry, guide booklet is ₹5, access to multimedia exhibitions ₹125. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Sanjay Lake Park (संजय झील Sañjay Jhīl), Gate no 3 Sanjay Lake, Mayur Vihar, ☏ +91 11 2275 2443, [email protected]. 10:30AM–7:30PM. A newly built adventure park comprising a range of outdoor activities, from water sports and treetop courses to archery and beach volleyball. The adventure park also has an artificial lake which attracts migratory birds and is surrounded by indigenous trees. (updated May 2023)
• 3 Yamuna Sports Complex, Master Somnath Marg, Surajmal Vijar, ☏ +91 11 2216 4726, [email protected]. One of India's best maintained sport complexes. Play over 20 sports and activities including archery, squash, table tennis, aerobics, fencing, yoga, chess and snooker. (updated May 2023)

Buy

• 1 V3S Mall, Vikas Marg, Laxmi Nagar (metro: Nirman Vihar  3/4 ). 11AM–11PM. A decent shopping mall. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Park Plaza Delhi CBD Shahdara, Plot 32, Central Business District Shahdara Extension, Vishwas Nagar, Shahdara, ☏ +91 1800 1080 700, [email protected]. The rooms have a nice interior though lack windows. (updated Aug 2018)