Akshardham Temple

The Akshardham temple here has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest Hindu temple complex.

An official of Guinness World Records came here to present two world records certificates to the head of Swaminarayan Sansthan,Pramnkh Swami Maharaj. The official presented the awards to Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sansthan ( BAPS ) under 2 categories : the most Hindu temples consecrated by a single person and the world's largest comprehensive Hindu Temple.

"His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj internationally revered spiritual leader and the head of BAPS, has created and consecrated in accordance with the Hindu rituals, a world record of 713 temples in five continents between April 1971 and November 2007 ", the certificate said " Amongst these, the majestic, ornately hand carved BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, stands apart as the largest Hindu temple in the World ".

"It took us 3 months of research. poring over the extensive architectural plans of the Akshardham and also those of the other temples of comparable size, visiting and inspecting the site,before we were convinced that Akshardham deserved the title, "the official said.The temple is spread over grounds covering 86,342 sq.feet. It is 356 feet long, 316 feet wide and 141 feet high.

This is the first time that the Guinness Book has recognised a Hindu Temple in its list of large religious structures.