On October 18, 2023, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham USA, officially named the largest Hindu temple in the United States and the second-largest Hindu temple in the world, opened to the public. The extensive temple located in Robbinsville, NJ spans over 185 acres and took over 12 years and 12,500 volunteers to build. It consists of 7 parts—Nilkanth Plaza, Brahm Kund (the temple’s pond), a Welcome Center, a traditional Hindu Mandir (temple), Akshardham Mahamandir (great temple), Shayona Café, and a Hindu Learning Center, which is a work in progress. The temple’s grandeur and magnificence have attracted thousands of visitors from countries all over the world, and regardless of their backgrounds, visitors have praised the temple for the peace it offers, along with its beauty.
Nilkanth Plaza is a large entrance to the campus, consisting of a 49-foot-tall statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a yogi who was the founder of the Swaminarayan Hindu tradition. Bhagwan Swaminarayan is a recurring presence throughout the temple, as many of his successors are displayed throughout the Mahamandir. His impacts on Hindu culture and the focus, discipline, and calmness he symbolizes are very significant in the temple’s background and history, as the name of the temple, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, is rooted in the contributions of him and his successors. Behind the plaza is Brahm Kund, the temple’s pond, consisting of water from India’s 108 rivers and all 50 states in the U.S. The temple recognizes the vitality and importance of water globally, leading visitors to appreciate Earth’s natural gifts.
The formal entrance of the temple is called the Welcome Center, which is connected to Shayona Café, the temple’s restaurant. In Hindu culture, hospitality is extremely important. Therefore, the Welcome Center serves to welcome the temple’s many visitors into a place of warmth, comfort, and tranquility. In Shayona Café, which branches out of the Welcome Center, visitors can experience the rich and complex flavors of vegetarian Indian cuisine, combined with aspects of Western cuisine. The café offers multiple food options, all of which have been blessed by the Divine before being served to the public. Throughout the Welcome Center and Shayona Café, the intentions of the temple’s founders to truly welcome and satisfy the public are seen.
Akshardham is composed of two mandirs, or temples. The traditional Hindu Mandir is located outside of the Welcome Center and includes statues of Hindu deities. Every inch of the temple is made of carved stone, with intricate carvings and patterns covering the temple from ceiling to floor. This temple allows visitors to establish spiritual connections with Hindu gods and goddesses, and for those who do not practice Hinduism, allows them the chance to familiarize themselves with all Hindu culture has to offer. Additionally, the main focus of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham is the Akshardham Mahamandir, the larger temple, which is located further down the campus, away from the traditional mandir. On the bottom floor of the building are areas for visitors to remove their shoes, a sign of respect in the presence of holiness. The second floor of the building is the temple itself, also completely built of carved stone. In this temple are gold statues of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s successors, with stories of their lives displayed on plaques near the statues. This mandir is located inside Akshardham’s largest building and is based on the ideals of Swaminarayan’s fifth spiritual successor, HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It exemplifies the beauty and depth of Hinduism, along with Hindu architecture.
The opening of this temple has had large effects on Hinduism followers not only across New Jersey but also North America. For those who practice Hinduism, this temple offers them an extravagant and mesmerizing opportunity to connect with their gods and goddesses—something that can provide immense comfort. In the coming years, the population of Hindus across North America is expected to grow, even reaching around 5.9 million, or 1.3%, of North America’s population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2021 ACS, there are around 5 million Indians in the United States, and over 50 percent of the Indian population practices Hinduism. These numbers are extremely significant, as the rise of Hinduism in America is only projected to grow. Temples such as Akshardham provide Hindus with a sense of comfort, as the roots of Hinduism are directly honored or symbolized throughout the temple. Inevitably, the number of Hindu visitors to Akshardham will continue to increase in the coming years, as the temple continues to establish itself as a place of devotion and contentment.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham USA has received endless admiration and appreciation from visitors due to its uniqueness and the many records it has broken. The opening of this extravagant place, one that so deeply connects to India’s representation of Hinduism, in the United States has led it to be viewed as a kind of national spectacle, as people from all 50 states have flown in to view the campus’s incredible architecture and learn of its meaning. The word “Akshardham” itself is made up of two separate words—“Akshar” meaning “eternal” and “dham” meaning “abode.” Together, “Akshardham” means “eternal abode” of God, something that has so beautifully come together for thousands of visitors to see in the past two months. As Akshardham continues to be viewed as a sensation by many, it will live on in the hearts of visitors as far more than a national wonder.