New Jersey Akshardham: World's Largest Modern Hindu Temple Outside India to Open on October 8 - 10 Key Details

New Jersey Akshardham Temple

New Jersey, US is on the verge of welcoming the world's largest contemporary Hindu temple constructed outside of India, as reported by PTI. 

Regarded as a monumental representation of Hindu culture and architectural excellence in the Western hemisphere, Akshardham is scheduled for its official inauguration on October 8, with guidance from BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj. Starting from October 18, this magnificent temple will be accessible to visitors.

Now, let's delve into 10 noteworthy aspects of this grand temple:

1. Named as BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, this temple is situated approximately 60 miles (90 km) south of Times Square, New York, or around 180 miles (289 km) north of Washington DC in the United States.
2. Over a span of 12 years, from 2011 to 2023, a dedicated workforce of more than 12,500 volunteers from all across the US came together to build this remarkable temple.
3. The dimensions of Akshardham temple are impressive, measuring 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft and covering an expansive area of 183 acres.
4. Prior to its formal inauguration, thousands of Hindu devotees and individuals from various faiths are already visiting the temple.
5. The temple's design is deeply rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and incorporates elements from India's rich cultural heritage, including an astonishing array of 10,000 statues and statuettes, as well as intricate carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms.
6. It is reported to be possibly the second-largest temple globally, following Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat.
7. The temple's distinctive design comprises a central main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, nine shikhars (towering spire-like structures), and nine pyramidal shikhars.
8. Akshardham is also home to the largest elliptical dome constructed using traditional stone architecture, designed to endure for a millennium.
9. Within the temple complex lies the Brahma Kund, a traditional Indian stepwell, containing water sourced from over 300 bodies of water from around the world, including India's sacred rivers and all 50 states of the US.
10. The assembly of Akshardham involved the collaborative efforts of volunteers from across the US, guided by skilled artisan volunteers from India. Countless volunteer hours were dedicated to the creation of Akshardham.