1. Akshardham Temple
Completed in 2005, this Hindu temple complex covers 100 acres on the east bank of the Yamuna River. The main temple, carved from pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, took 11,000 artisans five years to build. The Guinness Book of World Records recognized it in 2007 as the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple complex. Everything about Akshardham is oversized: 234 carved pillars, 20,000 figures of saints and deities, and a musical fountain show at dusk. The complex is part temple, part cultural exhibition. A boat ride takes you through 10,000 years of Indian history in animatronic dioramas. A film screened on an IMAX-sized screen tells the story of Swaminarayan. Then there is the temple itself, which you approach through colonnades and courtyards designed to slow you down and put you in a contemplative mood. Security is very tight: no phones, no cameras, no bags are allowed inside. You check everything at lockers near the entrance. This is a top sight in Delhi that requires real commitment. Entry to the temple is free. Exhibition tickets cost extra (check the website for current prices). Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 6:30 PM. Closed Mondays. Budget at least 3 hours. The nearest metro is Akshardham station on the Blue Line.