Akshardham Temple, New Delhi

Monument of Akshardham

The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble. It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of India's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities.

The monument is a fusion of several architectural styles of pink stone and pure white marble. Pink stone symbolizes bhakti (devotion) in eternal bloom and white marble of absolute purity and eternal peace. The monument was built after over 300 million man hours of services rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus and artisans.

It is the one of the wonders of the modern world, and the wonders of modern India.

Pictures and more information at REDIFF

PS: What I do not clearly follow is that "How does a Hindu temple become a monument to World Peace?"... Such elaborate opulence in stone, was it really necessary to spend such vast amounts in creating such a monument? Yeah, it is only a monument*1 and not a temple. Would it not have been better to spend all the amount on actual humanitarian causes? I know I am going to draw flak from some people because of my comment. But, I welcome it.

*1: Archeological Survey of India defines all those structures which were built with a religious intention but are no longer being used as a place of worship as "monuments".