The concept for Akshardham was envisioned by Yogiji Maharaj (the spiritual head of BAPS) in 1968, who wished for a grand temple on the banks of the Yamuna. However, the project only took flight under his successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Construction began in 2000 and was completed in a record five years, involving 11,000 volunteers and thousands of skilled artisans. The temple was opened to the public on November 6, 2005.
It stands as a modern tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781—1830) and the rich heritage of India, representing a revival of ancient Vedic building techniques in the 21st century.
