Gujarat's planned capital, anchored by the monumental pink sandstone Swaminarayan Akshardham complex.
Gandhinagar was planned in the 1960s, with a grid of numbered sectors influenced by Le Corbusier's Chandigarh, as Gujarat's capital and remains one of India's greenest planned cities. Swaminarayan Akshardham, opened in 1992, is a large temple complex in pink sandstone with exhibitions on Swaminarayan's life and an evening water show. The temple is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Sector-wise gardens, the Indroda Nature Park and the Mahatma Mandir convention centre fill out a second stop, and the metro makes the trip easy without a car.
| Distance | About 30 km north of central Ahmedabad |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 45-60 minutes by metro plus a short ride, or 40-60 minutes by road |
| Getting there | Mode: Metro; Detail: Ahmedabad Metro Yellow Line runs from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir with a stop at Akshardham; connect from the Blue or Red line via Old High Court. |
| Cost | Darshan free; exhibition tickets about ₹60 (approx $0.63 USD) for adults and ₹40 (approx $0.42 USD) for children; metro fares ₹20-40 (approx $0.21-0.42 USD) each way |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Swaminarayan Akshardham, Sector 20, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382020, India |
How to get there
- Metro: Red Line to Motera, then Yellow Line to Akshardham
- Train: Vande Bharat from Ahmedabad to Gandhinagar Capital
- Car: app cab about ₹600-1,000 (approx $6.25-10 USD) each way
- Bus: frequent AMTS and GSRTC services to Gandhinagar
Location
Swaminarayan Akshardham, Sector 20, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382020, India
23.2296, 72.6741 View on map
Highlights
- Swaminarayan Akshardham's carved pink sandstone temple
- Evening water show and light display
- Sachivalaya and state capitol precinct
- Indroda Nature Park with its dinosaur fossil museum
- Metro Yellow Line ride from Ahmedabad
Tips for visiting
- The temple is closed on Mondays; visit Tuesday to Sunday
- Phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside and must be left in the cloak room
- Modest dress is required, with shoulders and knees covered
- Allow 3-4 hours including the exhibitions
- Take the metro to avoid highway traffic
When to visit
Tuesday to Sunday, with an afternoon start to catch the evening show
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is Akshardham open on Mondays?
No. The complex is closed every Monday and opens Tuesday to Sunday, with first entry around 10am.
How do I get from Ahmedabad by metro?
Use the Blue or Red line to Old High Court or Motera Stadium, then the Yellow Line to Akshardham.
Are cameras and phones allowed?
No, they must be deposited at the cloak room before entry.
How much is the exhibition?
About INR 60 for adults (approx $0.63 USD) and INR 40 for children.