Akshardham: translating to “divine abode of God” (from Sanskrit) … Akshar meaning “eternal”, and Dham meaning “abode”), it is a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, peace, and harmony. It serves as a traditional Hindu mandir (temple), and was built to honor Bhagwan Swaminarayan.1
Haven taken multiple architectural drawing classes earlier in life, I had a chance to visit the the Akshardham in Robbinsville recently, before the snow melted, and I can only describe it as the most marvelous feat of architecture I’ve ever seen.
Entering through this ornately carved gateway, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple in the U.S., was built between 2011 to 2023. 12,500 volunteers from across the U.S. dedicated millions of hours to build the temple. The Akshardham measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and spans over 183 acres. Designed according to ancient Hindu scriptures, Akshardham includes design elements from ancient Indian culture, including 10,000 statues and statuettes, carvings of ancient Indian musical instruments, and dance forms. We entered under this carved stone archway. The artisanship is astonishing!
The unique Hindu temple design includes 1 main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, 9 shikhars (spire-like structures), and 9 pyramidal shikhars. Akshardham houses the largest elliptical dome of traditional stone architecture ever constructed. Nearly 2 million cubic feet of stone was used in the construction and was sourced from different sites around the world, including: limestone from Bulgaria and Turkey, marble from Greece, Turkey, and Italy, granite from India and China, sandstone from India, and other decorative stones from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
As you enter the complex, the first thing you see is the Nilkanth Plaza, and overlooking the large Brahma Kund2, a 49 foot statue of the Bhagwan Swaminarayon stands, portrayed as a youth. Much statuary surrounds the Kund. I will definitely return in the summer when all the fountains are going.
We had signed up for a tour, which I highly recommend, and the first part of the tour is watching an introductory video in the theater. Our guide’s name was Yogi, and as it was just the two of us, so we were able to ask as many questions as we wished. Yogi was just fantastic! I would definitely recommend asking for him if he is available.
Author’s note: Photographs are not allowed inside the mandir.
Now, after the really fabulous tour, I was feeling a bit peckish, and sure enough, BAPS has you covered, at the Shayona Cafe. I had the Medu Vada – “crispy lentil fritters, flavorful stew, and coconut dip”, with a mango lassi. It was very tasty.
Going back outside for a final photo, I saw that the 80′ tall Mahashikhar also had a beautiful covering of snow on it. Do go visit! You will be amazed.
1Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830), born Ghanshyam Pande in Chhapaiya, India, was a major 19th-century Hindu spiritual leader and reformer who established the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Regarded as a manifestation of Purushottama (supreme God), he promoted vegetarianism, morality, and bhakti, leaving a lasting legacy through six major mandirs and the foundational Vachanamrut text.
2Brahma Kund. The Brahma Kund at this Akshardham is a stepped pond, with water coming from over 300 sources.
The dress code for BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey requires modest attire: tops must cover shoulders, the chest, back, and upper arms, while bottoms (pants, skirts, dresses) must reach at least knee-length. No sleeveless, low-cut, or revealing clothing is allowed, and you must remove your shoes before entering the Mahamandir, so wearing socks is recommended. Wraps or sarongs are provided for those not in appropriate dress.
