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New Jersey might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about Hindu temples, but the Garden State is actually home to one the largest Hindu communities outside India anywhere in the world, so it’s only fitting that one of the world’s most impressive Hindu mandirs is also located in the state.
Constructed between 2011 and 2023 by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu denomination, in Robbinsville, the Swaminarayan Akshardham campus stretches over 185 acres and incorporates design elements inspired by ancient Indian culture, including nearly 10,000 statues. The temple is built from 1.9 million cubic feet of stone sourced from 29 different sites around the world.
Enter and be mesmerized by the puzzle like structure, intricately carved stones, beautiful elephant carvings in teak wood from India, and the over 2700 lamps that illuminate the whole thing. Make sure your hat does’t tip over as you stretch your head upwards to catch it all!
The campus includes a main shrine, a central plaza with a 50 foot tall golden statue, a stepped pond, a welcome and learning center, and a wonderful Indian cafe that stands out for its strong and spicy menu of traditional vegetarian cuisine.
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