The largest Hindu temple in New Jersey is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville.
It is also the second-largest Hindu temple in the world outside of Asia.
The temple complex is spread over 185 acres and includes a mandir, an exhibition hall, a cultural center, and a haveli (traditional Hindu house).
The mandir is built of hand-carved Italian Carrara marble, Indian pink stone, and limestone.
It is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures that depict Hindu deities, scenes from Hindu scriptures, and symbols of Hindu culture.
The exhibition hall houses a collection of artifacts, exhibits, and multimedia presentations that tell the story of Hinduism and the Swaminarayan faith.
The cultural center offers a variety of educational and cultural programs, including classes on Hindu philosophy, language, and arts.
The Haveli is a traditional Hindu house that is used for cultural events and hospitality.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is open to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds.
Watch the BAPS Robinsville Akshardham Dedication Ceremony
It is a popular tourist destination and a place of worship for Hindus from all over the world.
Swaminarayan Mandirs are found all over the world, from India to North America to Europe to Australia. Here are some of the most notable Swaminarayan Mandirs across the globe:
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad, India
This is the original Swaminarayan Mandir and the headquarters of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a global Hindu religious and social organization. The temple was built in 1822 by Swaminarayan himself and is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in India.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden, London, UK
This is the largest Hindu temple in Europe and one of the largest outside of India. The temple complex was built in 1995 and includes a mandir, an exhibition hall, a cultural center, and a haveli.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto, Canada
This is the largest Hindu temple in Canada. The temple complex was inaugurated in 2007 and includes a mandir, an exhibition hall, a cultural center, and a haveli.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nairobi, Kenya
This is the largest Hindu temple in Africa. The temple complex was inaugurated in 2015 and includes a mandir, an exhibition hall, a cultural center, and a haveli.
These are just a few of the many Swaminarayan Mandirs that can be found all over the world.
Swaminarayan Mandirs are not just places of worship, but also community centers and places of learning. They offer a variety of programs and services to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Image credit
Work for hire; Copyright held by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (web: www.baps.org, email: [email protected]); Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons