Marvelous Masonry: Akshardham Temple in Delhi

Words: Cass SternPhoto Credits: TkKurikawa, Sumit_Kumar_99, StockByM, Sean3810, Alexander Reshnya, abhisheklegit


The Akshardham Temple in Delhi, India, is not just a place of worship but a monumental achievement in architecture and masonry. Since its inauguration in 2005, the temple has stood as a beacon of spiritual and architectural grandeur, showcasing a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. This article delves into the history of Akshardham Temple, the intricate masonry work involved in its construction, and its lasting impact on the masonry industry.

The Akshardham Temple, formerly known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, is deeply rooted in India's spiritual and cultural heritage. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, envisioned the temple as a place where visitors could not only worship but also experience India's divinity, culture, and architecture in one grand space. The Swaminarayan sect, a prominent Hindu tradition, has a long history of constructing temples that reflect their values of devotion, community service, and cultural preservation.

The idea for Akshardham was conceived in the late 1990s, but the real journey began in 2000. The project was ambitious, aiming to create a temple complex that would serve as a place of worship and a cultural hub. What’s truly remarkable is that this ambitious project involved over 8,000 volunteers, including skilled artisans, engineers, and architects, all working towards realizing Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s vision.



One of the most significant aspects of the temple’s construction was its adherence to traditional Hindu architectural principles as described in the ancient texts of Vastu Shastra. These principles ensured that the temple’s design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also aligned with spiritual and cosmic energies. The construction process spanned over five years, with each phase meticulously planned and executed. Key milestones included the foundation laying ceremony, the installation of the central dome, and the temple’s final consecration in November 2005.

The historical significance of Akshardham Temple extends beyond its architectural splendor. It represents the culmination of centuries of Hindu temple architecture, combining elements from different styles and regions of India. The temple also symbolizes the spiritual continuity of the Swaminarayan tradition and its commitment to promoting peace, harmony, and cultural awareness.

Akshardham Temple’s architecture is a masterpiece that reflects India's rich and diverse heritage. The temple’s design draws heavily from ancient Indian architectural styles, particularly those seen in the temples of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and South India. The main structure, with its towering central dome, is surrounded by smaller domes, arches, and pillars, each intricately carved with scenes from Hindu mythology, floral motifs, and geometric patterns.

One of the temple’s most striking features is its central dome, which rises to a height of 141 feet. It is supported by 148 meticulously carved stone elephants, a motif symbolizing strength and wisdom. The dome itself is a marvel of engineering, constructed using traditional techniques without the use of steel or concrete. This adherence to ancient methods is a testament to the skill and expertise of the artisans involved in the project.



Another key architectural feature is the Gajendra Pith, a plinth that surrounds the temple and is adorned with 1,160 sculpted figures of various animals, including elephants, lions, and peacocks. This plinth is not just a decorative element but also serves a symbolic purpose, representing the interconnectedness of all life forms.

Another highlight of the architectural design is the temple's pillars, which number over 234. Each pillar is intricately carved with images of deities, saints, and scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The carvings are so detailed that they appear almost lifelike, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship that went into their creation.

In addition to its religious and cultural symbolism, the architecture of Akshardham Temple incorporates the principles of Vastu Shastra, ensuring that the structure aligns with cosmic and natural forces. This alignment is believed to enhance the temple’s spiritual energy, making it a place of peace and tranquility for worshippers and visitors alike.

The temple complex also includes several ancillary structures, such as the Yagnapurush Kund, the largest stepwell in the world. The stepwell is a magnificent example of traditional water management systems in India and adds to the complex's overall spiritual and architectural significance. The Akshardham Garden, another integral part of the temple grounds, features manicured lawns, fountains, and a series of bronze statues depicting key figures from Indian history.



Compared to other significant Hindu temples, Akshardham stands apart due to its scale, the precision of its construction, and the integration of modern technology with traditional architectural practices. While temples like Meenakshi in Madurai and the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur are celebrated for their ancient grandeur, Akshardham is a testament to what can be achieved by combining the best of ancient and modern worlds.

The masonry work in Akshardham Temple is a remarkable achievement, representing one of the most extensive and intricate uses of stone in modern times. The temple’s primary materials are pink sandstone from Rajasthan and white marble from Italy, chosen for their durability, beauty, and symbolic significance. The pink sandstone, with its warm and earthy tones, reflects the vibrancy of Indian culture, while the white marble symbolizes purity and spirituality.

The selection of materials was a meticulous process, with each piece of stone carefully chosen for its color, texture, and structural integrity. The pink sandstone was sourced from the quarries of Rajasthan, a region renowned for its high-quality stone used in constructing some of India’s most famous monuments, including the Hawa Mahal and the Amer Fort. The white marble, sourced from Italy, was chosen for its fine grain and ability to be polished to a high sheen, making it ideal for intricate carvings and decorative elements.

Once the masons selected the materials, the next step was the carving process, which was done using traditional techniques passed down through generations of artisans. Each block of stone was hand-carved by skilled craftsmen, many of whom came from families with a long history of working in temple construction. The carvings include many motifs, from floral patterns and geometric designs to depictions of deities and mythological scenes. The level of detail is extraordinary, with some carvings featuring figures that are just a few centimeters in size but contain an incredible amount of detail.

The carving process was labor-intensive and required immense skill and patience. Artisans used various traditional tools, including chisels and hammers, to achieve the desired level of detail. It sometimes took weeks or even months to complete a single panel. The use of these ancient techniques was not just about preserving tradition but also about achieving a level of craftsmanship that modern machinery could not replicate.

Transporting the stone blocks from Rajasthan to Delhi was another significant challenge. The logistics involved coordinating the movement of thousands of tons of stone across hundreds of kilometers, ensuring that each piece arrived on site in perfect condition. Special care was taken to protect the stone from damage during transit, with each block being carefully wrapped and cushioned.

Once on site, the temple assembly began, a highly complex process requiring physical strength and engineering precision. The stone blocks were assembled without the use of steel or concrete, relying instead on traditional construction techniques such as interlocking joints and gravity-based stacking. This method of construction, known as dry masonry, is one of the oldest building techniques in the world and has been used in constructing some of the most enduring structures in history, including the pyramids of Egypt and the temples of ancient Greece.



The use of dry masonry in Akshardham Temple ensured the building's structural integrity and enhanced its aesthetic appeal. The absence of visible joints or seams gives the temple a seamless and monolithic appearance, enhancing its visual impact.

The role of the artisans in constructing Akshardham Temple cannot be overstated. These craftsmen, many of whom were brought in from Rajasthan and Gujarat, brought with them centuries of knowledge and expertise in traditional stone carving and construction techniques. Their work on Akshardham has helped preserve these ancient skills, ensuring they are passed on to future generations.

In addition to the traditional masonry techniques, the construction of Akshardham also incorporated modern methods and materials to ensure the building’s longevity and sustainability. For example, the temple’s foundation was reinforced with a mixture of lime mortar and cement, providing additional strength and stability while still adhering to traditional construction methods. Using eco-friendly materials and practices, such as rainwater harvesting and waste recycling, also played a role in the temple’s construction, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

While the Akshardham Temple celebrates traditional masonry, modern technology played a crucial role in its construction, ensuring that the project was completed efficiently and to the highest standards of quality. One of the key technologies used in the project was Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, which was instrumental in planning the intricate details of the temple’s design and ensuring the accuracy of the stone carvings.

CAD software allowed architects and engineers to create detailed 3D models of the temple. These models were used to plan every aspect of the construction process, from the overall layout of the temple complex to the placement of individual stones. These models were also used to simulate the structural behavior of the building under various conditions, ensuring that the temple would withstand the test of time.

In addition to CAD software, masons used advanced machinery to cut the stone precisely, reducing waste and ensuring that each piece fit perfectly in place. Laser-guided tools aligned the stone blocks, ensuring that the massive structure was perfectly balanced. This combination of traditional techniques and modern technology makes the Akshardham Temple a unique achievement in the world of masonry.



One of the most challenging aspects of the construction was carving the intricate details that adorn the temple. While much of the carving was done by hand, modern tools such as pneumatic chisels and rotary tools were also used to achieve a level of precision that would have been difficult to attain using traditional methods alone. These tools allowed the artisans to create highly detailed carvings in a fraction of the time it would have taken using manual methods without compromising the quality of the work.

The construction of the central dome, one of the temple's most complex elements, also benefited from modern technology. The dome was constructed using a technique known as corbelling, where each successive layer of stone is slightly offset from the one below it, gradually closing the gap until the dome is complete. This technique has been used for thousands of years. Still, in the case of Akshardham, it was combined with modern engineering principles to ensure that the dome was both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.

The use of modern technology in constructing Akshardham Temple extended beyond the building itself. The temple complex also includes several modern amenities, such as a water treatment plant, waste management systems, and energy-efficient lighting, all of which were integrated into the design without detracting from the overall aesthetic of the temple.

The construction of the Akshardham Temple has profoundly impacted the masonry industry, both in India and around the world. The project has set new benchmarks for quality and precision using traditional materials, inspiring a renewed interest in traditional masonry techniques.

One of the project's most significant impacts has been the resurgence of traditional stone carving in India. The success of Akshardham has demonstrated that there is still a demand for high-quality, handcrafted stonework, leading to a revival of the craft and providing new opportunities for artisans. The project has also helped to raise awareness of the importance of preserving traditional skills and knowledge, ensuring that they are passed on to future generations.



The role of masonry industry manufacturers and suppliers in constructing Akshardham was crucial. The project required the sourcing and transportation of large quantities of high-quality stone and the provision of specialized tools and equipment. The project's success has highlighted the importance of collaboration between suppliers and builders. It has led to the development of new products and services tailored to the needs of the masonry industry.

The impact of Akshardham on the international masonry market has also been significant. The temple has attracted worldwide attention from architects, builders, and craftsmen, leading to increased interest in traditional Indian masonry techniques and materials. This has resulted in a growing demand for Indian stone and craftsmanship in international markets, providing new opportunities for exports and collaboration.

The lessons learned from the construction of Akshardham are being applied in other projects around the world, from the restoration of historical buildings to the construction of new religious and cultural monuments. The project has demonstrated that traditional techniques can be successfully integrated with modern technology to create beautiful and durable structures and has set a new standard for excellence in masonry.

The Akshardham Temple’s influence extends far beyond its physical structure. It has become a symbol of what can be achieved when traditional craftsmanship is combined with modern technology and has set a new benchmark for excellence in masonry.

The temple’s success has inspired a new wave of religious and cultural monument construction, both in India and around the world. Projects that draw on the principles and techniques used in Akshardham are being planned and executed, ensuring that the temple's legacy will continue to influence the field of masonry for years to come.

The temple’s emphasis on sustainability and using eco-friendly materials and practices has also had a lasting impact on the construction industry. As the world moves towards more sustainable building practices, the lessons learned from Akshardham will be increasingly relevant.

The Akshardham Temple in Delhi stands as a monument to the enduring power of traditional craftsmanship, the possibilities of modern technology, and the significance of cultural and spiritual heritage. For masonry industry professionals, it serves as a source of inspiration and a reminder of the importance of preserving and revitalizing ancient skills while embracing innovation.

The construction of Akshardham has set new standards in using traditional materials, demonstrated the potential of combining old and new techniques, and has profoundly impacted the masonry industry both in India and globally. As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Akshardham will continue to influence and inspire new generations of builders, artisans, and architects, ensuring that the temple’s legacy will endure for centuries.

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