SWAMINARAYA AKSHARDHAM, ROBBINSVILLE , NEW JERSEY, USA..
Sandeep Mota and his wife drove us on a cultural tour cum pilgrimage to BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey yesterday. It was a ninety minutes car drive from Jersey City. The well-known Princeton University is about 12 miles from Robbinsville . Lake Mercer is also very close to Robbinsville .
BAPS stands for Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. BAPS is a socio-spiritual organisation with its roots in the Vedas.
The Robbinsville Temple is open to all visitors irrespective of caste , creed or religious faith. It was formally inaugurated in October 2023. For visitors, the temple opens at 9 am and closes at7.30 pm . It remains closed on all Tuesdays .The wonderful and spacious vegetarian restaurant inside the temple complex opens at 11a m for delicious Gujrati food .The Dokla and Puran Poli that we had in this restaurant , were simply mouthwatering. We also bought some snacks from the temple store.
It is the largest Hindu Temple in the United States and the second-largest Hindu Temple in the world . The temple rises more than 200 ft above ground.The entree is absolutely free. Photography is not allowed inside sanctum sanctorum . Elevators and wheel-chairs are also available free for elderly and physically challenged.
At the entrance to the temple, there is a water pond that was initially created by adding water from River Ganga. Yamuna and Sarayu. Stone images of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati and Sarayu have been sculpted around this pond . These divine figures are shown pouring water into the pond.The complex has spacious gardens around it and the parking can accommodate more than 2000 cars .Water-proof / rain-proof music speakers have been installed in the flowerbeds of the gardens to play sacred music and Mantras from the scriptures for the visitors.
The temple management expects the visitors to cover their shoulders, back, chest, navel, and upper arms. Leg-wear must be at least below knee-length. Visitors not having appropriate dress are requested by the volunteers to wear wraps provided at the temple .
The architects and the planners of the temple have drawn the designs and patterns extensively from ancient texts like Natyashastra, Shilpa Shastras, Ramayana, Mahabharata , Vastu shastra , and many more texts .Each stone that gives a magnificent look to the marble temple complex comes alive, narrating the story of Ramayana and Mahabharata. One can witness over 150 Indian musical instruments and all the major dance postures carved on its pillars and walls. The temple’s stones have been imported from various countries, including India, Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Myanmar.The intricately carved stone sculptures and figurines artistically portray the enduring heritage of Indian music, dance, and performing arts. Additionally, they serve as a homage to the esteemed sages, saints, and spiritual luminaries who have made significant contributions to Indian culture and Hinduism.
The construction of the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple started in 2011 and was named after its founding Hindu spiritual organisation, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (trust). Spread over a vast area of nearly 185 acres in Robbinsville City, New Jersey, the grand temple is an outstanding result of the countless efforts of 12,500 workers from across the globe. The employment period of the employees ranged from 10 days of service to over three years, five years and more. Many Indian professionals ( mostly from Gujrat ) have volunteered to join construction taking taking unpaid leaves or breaks from their jobs .Among the volunteers were students, business executives, physicians and architects who put their lives on hold to volunteer .This is something amazing that I came to know.The construction was completed at a cost of about $96 million .The temple sits on 180 acres of land and includes 10,000 statues and 200 feet tall spire. The construction was funded by donations pouring in from across the world.The 12500 volunteers did amazing work to create 78 statues of saints,30 murals of great significance, 10,000 statues and statuettes depicting Hindu Culture, 151 Indian musical instruments carved on marble, 235 Mandapams , 548 carved pillars and 9 domes .
The awe-inspiring temple complex has several parts, including Nilkanth Plaza, Shayona Cafe. Shayona Snacks And Sweets Shop, Orientation Theatre, Brahma Kund, Welcome Center, Akshardham Mahamandir, Traditional Stepwell, Exit Lobby,Traditional Hindu Mandir, Parikrama Colonnade, and Museum. Each part of the campus has its own story to narrate to visitors. Every part of the campus takes visitors on a magnificent journey, enlightening them with the joy . The auditorium inside the complex shows a small film to the visitors about the Swaminarayan sect,their aims and objectives and the story of the Robbinsville Temple .
At the entrance one can see a huge metallic statue of Sri Swaminarayana in perfect Yogic Mudra .Born on April 3, 1781, in Chhapaiya village near Ayodhya in northern India, Swaminarayan was a yogi and ascetic whom his followers believed to be a manifestation of Lord Krishna. In his childhood, Swaminarayan was also known as ‘Ghanshyam’. He is believed to have won a debate in Kashi at the age of ten revealing his divine glory to the scholars. At the age of 11, he left home to enlighten people and elevate mankind. There are some more Swaminarayan Temples in the US and Canada.I am told about places like ,Los Angeles, Toronto, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta. I am I formed that BAPS has about 1400 Akshardham temples around the world, including two in India.Take my word ,this temple is going to attain the status of a pilgrimage site in next decade the way I say people from all corners of US, Canada, Latin America , Trinidad, Guyana Suriname, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Grenada, St. Lucia ,St Vincent and Europe visiting the place with devotion and faith . There is a quote engraved on a plate inside this temple that reads this:-
" In the joy of others , lies our own happiness."
