Swaminarayan Akshardham, largest Hindu temple outside India inaugurated
The largest Hindu temple outside India, known as BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, has been officially opened in New Jersey, United States. The inauguration took place in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj after a nine-day celebration that began on September 30. This magnificent Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex is spread across a vast expanse of 185 acres.
During the inauguration ceremony, Mahant Swami Maharaj presided over the ‘Pran Prathistha’ ritual, which was accompanied by various traditional ceremonies and rituals.
Construction of this temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, began in 2011 and was successfully completed this year. What makes it particularly remarkable is that it was a collaborative effort involving 12,500 volunteers from different parts of the world. Notably, one of its distinguishing features is the construction of the largest elliptical stone dome ever built.
#WATCH | The largest Hindu temple in the US – BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham – was inaugurated in Robbinsville, New Jersey on Sunday, 8th October. pic.twitter.com/nSvsJ1kzhG
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2023
“We were waiting for this moment for the last several years,” Volunteer Lenin Joshi said. He added that people from all across the world, irrespective of their religion, would be able to visit the temple.
Regarding the Temple:
The temple was constructed with the dedicated efforts of approximately 12,500 volunteers, including men, women, and children. These volunteers temporarily set aside their regular occupations and educational pursuits to contribute their time and labor to the temple’s construction.
To build this remarkable structure, a total of 1.9 million cubic feet of stone was utilized, sourced from 29 different locations worldwide. This stone included granite from India, sandstone from Rajasthan, teakwood from Myanmar, marble from Greece, Turkey, and Italy, as well as limestone from Bulgaria and Turkey. The temple boasts an impressive collection of 10,000 statues, and it incorporates elements from Indian architecture and culture throughout its design.
#WATCH | Prayers held at BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey on Sunday, 8th October.
The 183-acre, largest Hindu temple in the US, was inaugurated yesterday. pic.twitter.com/q4fEErx3d6
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2023
Globally, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardhams are renowned for their significance in Hindu art, architecture, and culture. They also serve as spiritual and community centers, welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.
This newly inaugurated Akshardham in New Jersey represents the third cultural complex of its kind worldwide. The first Akshardham was established in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India, in 1992, followed by Akshardham in New Delhi in 2005, as mentioned in an official statement.
In the lead-up to the grand dedication ceremony on October 8, a delegation of ambassadors and representatives from the United Nations, led by India’s Permanent Representative at the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, visited the temple during the week.
Popular actor Akshay Kumar also shared his thoughts on the grand inauguration of the Akshardham temple in New Jersey, expressing his pride in its achievement. He highlighted the temple’s status as the largest Hindu temple in America and the second-largest in the world, commending Guru Mahant Swami Maharaj for his visionary leadership in making it a reality.
