AIA Central Visits the Largest Hindu Temple in the United States
Posted on Jul. 15, 2024 / Subscribe 0
AIA Central NJ had a wonderful, personalized architectural tour the newly completed Hindu Temple Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ (officially known as the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham.)
An Architectural Marvel
The event was sold-out! After entering, we were guided in two groups through the majestic site, in awe of the otherworldly presence this architectural marvel exudes. Built between 2011-2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple in the U.S. and was designed according to ancient Hindu scriptures and stands as a testament to thousands of years of inspiring thoughts, values, architecture, and culture.
Welcoming Campus
Our architectural tour provided an in-depth understanding of the campus. Starting from the Welcome Center we learned about the campus plan, as we passed the Museum (under construction), Café, through the Outdoor Plazas, along the Brahma Kund, a traditional Indian stepwell, (which contains water from over 300 bodies of water from around the world, including the holy rivers of India and all 50 states of the U.S.), through the traditional Hindu Mandir, to the Akshardham Mahamandir, serving as the grand centerpiece of this magnificent site.
Scale & Significance
Spanning over 183 acres, the Temple measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft., and within it are 10,000 statues, statuettes, and carvings. The lecture hall seats 2,000 people, and the entire campus can accommodate over 6,000 visitors at once, underscoring the immense scale and significance of this architectural feat. We also learned and witnessed the Akshardham dome, which is the largest elliptical dome of traditional stone architecture ever constructed. We saw Limestone from Bulgaria & Turkey, Marble from Greece, Turkey & Italy; Granite from India & China; Sandstone from India and other decorative stones from Europe, Asia, and Latin America. (2 million cubic feet of stone was used in the Temples construction.)
Divine Details
From the smallest details to the large direct and formal moves, the Akshardham campus is designed to inspire a connection to the divine and foster a sense of unity among visitors, regardless of their beliefs and backgrounds. This spiritual campus, exuding love and appreciation for art, architecture, and culture, creates a place of both beauty and spiritual reflection for all.
Volunteering Kindness
Captivated by the intricacy and detail in every corner of the project, AIA Central NJ members were also moved by the gentle kindness extended to our group, as we found our way with our guides. The campus takes visitors to another mental place by way of the beauty and grandeur of the structures, and the spiritual ambiance that pervades the campus. Volunteers at the temple were engineers, architects and others who understand the language of architecture and the built environment. We were grateful for the graciousness of these volunteers who stepped in to answer our questions, and to give us insider knowledge of the work behind the scenes.
Summary
At the end of the tour we sat for a presentation and opportunity to ask questions about the project, followed by refreshments and traditional Indian food from the on-site restaurant. For all attendees this special once-in-a-lifetime tour of BAPS provided a deep understanding of the cultural and architectural significance of the Akshardham Temple, making it a learning experience for everyone present.
We extend our heartfelt regards to Pinakin Pathak, CEO of Ohm International Inc., supplier of stonework to the temple, Platinum Sponsor of AIA Central NJ, and all the volunteers who made this tour possible. Their dedication and hard work have created a cultural and architectural masterpiece that will continue to inspire wellbeing for generations to come.
Additional Information:
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Original Event Announcement: AIA CNJ BAPS
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More Information, Statistics and Photos can be found here: Press, Media & More
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Official Website for BAPS Robbinsville, NJ: https://usa.akshardham.org (with amazing videos)
Event Photos:
Provided for non-commercial use by Jay Rubinstein: 7thsignphotography.com
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