US Vice President JD Vance, his Indian-origin wife Usha, and their three children started a four-day tour of India on Monday with a visit to the iconic Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple along the Yamuna River.
The family of Vance spent around an hour at the temple complex, which is renowned for its exquisite architecture and superb carvings. The children—Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel—dressed in traditional Indian attire lured numerous tourists.
Writing in the temple guest book in appreciation, Vice President Vance stated, “Thank you so much for all your kindness and hospitality in inviting me and my family to this beautiful place. It is a great testimony to India that you built such a beautiful temple with care and precision. Particularly our children enjoyed it. God bless.”
After visiting, the family took photographs outside the grand temple facade. The family was given a traditional reception and involved in ‘darshan,’ which is a spiritual sight. Some gifts given to the family include a wood-carved elephant, a small model of the Delhi Akshardham Temple, and children’s books.
Meera Sondagar, who is one of the temple volunteers, said that the vice president was particularly impressed with the intricately carved-out Gajendra Peeth which also has carvings of elephant figures that symbolize wisdom and strength. “He was taken through the entire Akshardham complex and was also deeply touched by his visit. He talked about an experience of serenity during the visit,” she said.
The temple also posted on social media about the visit of the Vance family, mentioning how they came to experience the grand architecture and art of the temple. “The Vance family enjoyed India’s heritage and cultural wealth, relishing the lessons of peace, family values, and timeless wisdom found on the Akshardham campus,” stated the post.
Committed to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, who is held to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the temple opened in 2005. He established the religion of Swaminarayan and reestablished Hindu principles during 18th-century India, preaching a religious way of living and an ethic code.
Notably, erstwhile British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty also visited the temple while on their recent trip to India.
The Vances were warmly received when they came to Delhi during the day, greeted at the airport by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a private dinner for the Vances following bilateral talks.
This is the first visit to India by Vice President Vance, weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and subsequently suspended a comprehensive tariff regime against around 60 nations, including India. The two nations are currently negotiating a bilateral trade pact for tariff relief and increased market access.
