Largest Hindu temple in US opens in central New Jersey

The nation’s largest Hindu temple celebrated its opening week in a farming community in central New Jersey.

It took more than 12,500 volunteers from across the country over 12 years to build the Akshardham Mahamandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey. Now complete, it is also the second-largest Hindu temple in the world, NJ Advance Media reported.

Celebratory opening ceremonies were held this week for the 87,975-square-foot temple, which measures 191 feet tall.

Each day had a different theme related to Indian culture and Hindu values, including non-violence, contributions of women, interfaith harmony, community, celebrating the joy of others, and spiritual legacy.

Volunteers from BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham North America, the Hindu complex where the temple is located, will host the inaugural events.

The festivities will conclude on Sunday with a grand dedication ceremony orchestrated by BAPS spiritual leader and Guru Mahant Swami Maharaj.

That ceremony will be broadcast live around the world.

“The tri-state area has a large population of Hindu devotees, so this site was selected to be conveniently accessible,” BAPS volunteer and local media coordinator Darshan Patel told the outlet.

Akshardham Mahamandir is the largest Hindu temple in the country.BAPS The 87,975 square foot temple is 191 feet in Robbinsville, NJBAPS

The temple is made of marble, granite and limestone, brought from Europe and hand carved by Indian artisans.

It is packed with 10,000 statues and 151 carvings of ancient Indian musical instruments.

Mayor Adams and world leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is Hindu, have sent words of congratulations on the new temple.

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The temple is packed with 10,000 sacred statues and 151 carvings of ancient Indian musical instruments.BAPS

Robbinsville Mayor David Fried spoke at a town hall Thursday and thanked volunteers for their work.

“What they are teaching our youth is very important because the next generation needs to be part of our community, and that is something they should be very proud of,” he said. “We are grateful and honored that you thought about choosing our community and had the vision to turn this land into something truly incredible.”

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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