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NJ Temple: World's Largest Hindu Site Outside India
29 May
Summary
- The temple is the largest Hindu temple outside India in modern times.
- It spans 183 acres and features a Mahamandir with 10,000 sculpted statues.
- Construction involved over 12,500 volunteers and nearly 2 million cubic feet of stone.
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, located in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is recognized as the largest Hindu temple constructed outside of India in the modern era. This expansive complex covers 183 acres and officially opened its doors in October 2023 after years of dedicated planning and construction.
At its heart lies the Mahamandir, the main temple building, which reaches a height of 191 feet. Its construction adheres to ancient Hindu texts and traditional Indian temple-building methods, featuring nine spires and the largest elliptical dome ever built in traditional stone. Inside, over 10,000 sculpted statues depict various aspects of Hindu philosophy and spirituality.
The vision for this grand temple originated with spiritual leader Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Major construction commenced in 2015, fueled by the efforts of more than 12,500 volunteers who dedicated over 4.7 million hours. The project utilized approximately 2 million cubic feet of carved stone.
While celebrated for its architecture, the temple project faced controversies during its development, including allegations of worker exploitation, which BAPS has denied. Visitors are welcomed daily except Tuesdays and must adhere to a dress code. The temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural monument reflecting Indian heritage in America.
