World’s second-largest Hindu temple set to open in New Jersey

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has announced that the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville Township, New Jersey, will have its formal inauguration on October 8, under the spiritual guidance of Mahant Swami Maharaj. It will be open to visitors starting from October 18.
This temple, which is the world’s second-largest one constructed outside India, spans an impressive 183 acres and boasts dimensions of 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft. Its design is meticulously crafted in accordance with ancient Hindu scriptures, incorporating various elements from ancient Indian culture, including 10,000 statues and statuettes, as well as intricate carvings depicting Indian musical instruments and dance forms.
The New Jersey Akshardham temple is possibly the second-largest temple after Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The Angkor Wat Temple Complex, dating back to the 12th century, stands as the world’s largest Hindu temple, spanning over 500 acres and holding UNESCO World Heritage status.
The temple’s design comprises a central main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, nine shikhars (tower-like structures), and nine pyramidal shikhars. Akshardham boasts the largest elliptical dome ever constructed in traditional stone architecture, designed to endure for a millennium.
Swami Aksharvatsaldas, representing the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, shared in an exclusive interview, “Our spiritual leader, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, envisioned the creation of a place in the Western hemisphere that could serve as a sanctuary for people from all corners of the world. It was meant to transcend boundaries, catering not only to Hindus or Indians but to people of all backgrounds, offering a space where universal values rooted in the Hindu tradition could be learned and embraced.”
“It was his wish, his pledge,” he stated, referring to Pramukh Swami Maharaj. “In accordance with his determined commitment, this Akshardham has been meticulously constructed using traditional Hindu temple architecture.”
The temple was erected by an enthusiastic group of more than 12,500 volunteers hailing from various parts of the United States. This remarkable endeavor spanned over 12 years, from 2011 to 2023. These dedicated volunteers received guidance from skilled artisans who journeyed from India to assist with the project.
“Volunteerism is deeply ingrained in our tradition,” the Swami remarked. “There are numerous references in our traditional Hindu Parampara, our scriptures, and our lineage that highlight the great merit of Seva (service) in constructing a temple.”
He continued, “In the case of this temple, the scale of the Maha mandir made it particularly unique, leading to a natural increase in the number of volunteers.”
Expressing their commitment, one volunteer from Alabama, who had temporarily left her job, mentioned, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Similarly, Ravi Patel, an accountant from Atlanta, reflected, “The mandir has brought about a transformation within me.”