Akshardham Temple
On October 8 in New Jersey, the world’s biggest Hindu Akshardham Temple built outside of India in the contemporary period will be officially inaugurated.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in the tiny Robbinsville Township of New Jersey was built by over 12,500 volunteers from throughout the US over 12 years from 2011 to 2023. It is situated about 60 miles south of Times Square in New York or 180 miles north of Washington, DC.
Known for its enormous size—it spans 183 acres and measures 255 feet by 345 feet by 191 feet—the Akshardham Temple today receives hundreds of tourists each day. Before the ceremonial inauguration, these guests, who come from all across the nation and include Hindus, congregate.
The temple’s spectacular collection of 10,000 sculptures and statuettes, as well as its meticulous carvings of Indian musical instruments and dancing styles, are inspired by ancient Hindu texts and feature design elements based on India’s rich cultural past.
The temple is arguably the second largest in the world in terms of scale, behind Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The Angkor Wat Temple Complex, which dates to the 12th century and spans 500 acres, is the biggest Hindu temple in the world and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 100-acre Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, which first welcomed visitors in November 2005, is much smaller.
The revered 19th-century Hindu spiritual guru Bhagwan Swaminarayan is said to be honored by the towering Mahamandir, a magnificent temple. The respected saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor, served as an inspiration for its building.
The building of this Mahamandir started in 2015, and Mahant Swami Maharaj and other eminent dignitaries are expected to preside over the ceremony on October 8, 2023.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, which spans 185 acres in Robbinsville, was created thanks to the knowledge and commitment of more than 12,500 volunteers from around North America. According to reports, this group effort resulted in a lasting monument that will be remembered for well over a millennium.
This holy building was painstakingly constructed in India by a group of devout BAPS swamis and committed volunteers. European stones were sent to India, where they underwent complex workmanship, after being gathered from various locations.
The stone components were sent to the United States, where a diverse group of volunteers worked together to construct the temple under the direction of knowledgeable Indian craftspeople.
The ground floor and main mandir are receiving final touches at the temple in New Jersey, and work is gradually moving forward in the direction of a prompt conclusion.
The Kalash, a golden vase signifying perfection and wholeness, is adorned on the top of the Mahashikhar. Above this, the Dhaja flag, which represents triumph and the victory of good over evil, floats triumphantly.
There are intricate stone carvings and figurines within the temple that masterfully capture the enduring history of Indian music, dance, and performing arts. They also honor the respected saints, sages, and spiritual figures who have made significant contributions to India and Hinduism.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, which is situated inside a vast 100-acre complex and is located in New Delhi, India, now holds the Guinness World Record for being the most comprehensive Hindu temple.
It’s conceivable that the Akshardham Temple in the United States will do better than it did before. Around 1,400 temples have been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha in a variety of places, including India, the UK, the US, Canada, Kenya, South Africa, and Australia.
