Akshardham Temple

Akshardham is a vast modern Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Yamuna, built almost entirely from pink sandstone and white marble without any structural steel, its walls and pillars covered in intricate hand-carved sculpture depicting deities, saints and scenes from Hindu scripture. The scale of the complex, along with a musical fountain show and boat ride tracing India's ancient history, makes it one of Delhi's most elaborate single-site attractions.

Recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple, Akshardham was built entirely through donations and volunteer craftsmanship, with thousands of artisans working over several years to complete the carving. Strict security screening (no electronics, bags or cameras permitted inside) means visits require planning, but the temple's scale and detail reward the extra effort.

Built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) organisation and inaugurated in 2005, Akshardham represents a modern continuation of traditional Hindu temple-building craftsmanship at a scale rarely attempted in the contemporary era.

Near Akshardham metro station on the Blue Line, in East Delhi.