Americas Largest Hindu Temple Opens on October-8

The BAPS Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is set to open its doors to the public this October after 12 years of labor from over 12,000 volunteers. This monumental achievement represents the culmination of over a decade of planning and construction, making it the largest Hindu temple outside of India. Situated on a sprawling 183-acre plot, the Akshardham complex incorporates a Maha Mandir, a traditional temple, a welcome center, a museum, and an event space, blending ancient scriptural codes with New Jersey zoning laws.

This Akshardham marks the third of its kind, following those in Gujarat and New Delhi—the latter being the world’s largest Hindu temple complex. The temple showcases the BAPS community’s dedication to selfless service, or seva, a core value in Hinduism, demonstrated by the 12,500 volunteers hailing from diverse cultural backgrounds, languages, and faiths. These volunteers worked tirelessly to construct the Maha Mandir using white sandstone, limestone, marble, and granite, intricately carved by skilled artisans from India.

The Akshardham features a 49-foot statue of Nilkanth Varni at its entrance, symbolizing the teenage form of Swaminarayan, a revered spiritual leader. Inside, the temple boasts nine shikharas (spires) representing different aspects of Hindu scriptures, as well as intricate sculptures depicting dancers, musicians, and musical instruments. Notably, it showcases all 108 poses of the ancient Hindu dance form Bharatanatyam in one structure.

The Akshardham’s completion hasn’t been without challenges, including a lawsuit in 2021 alleging forced labor, which has since been put on hold. The temple’s construction journey has been marked by unwavering dedication, with volunteers sacrificing their time and, in some cases, even years of their lives, to contribute to this remarkable legacy.

For the BAPS community, the opening of the Akshardham represents more than just a physical structure—it embodies the values of humility, compassion, and harmony advocated by their spiritual leader, Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Through their collective efforts, they have created a space where people from all backgrounds can come together, fostering a sense of unity and common purpose.

As the doors of the Akshardham prepare to open, devotees like Ashini Parikh reflect on the significance of their contributions. They see their involvement not only as a personal achievement but also as a meaningful contribution to Hindu American history, leaving a positive impact on future generations.