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BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple in the United States
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, the largest Hindu temple in the United States, spanning 185 acres, was inaugurated here, with devotees highlighting the temple’s message of unity, peace and harmony for the people living across the America and the world.
The grand inauguration ceremony of Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, took place on Sunday in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj after a nine-day celebration that began on September 30.
Swami Maharaj performed the ‘Pran Prathistha’ ceremony at the temple amidst traditional rituals and ceremonies.
Construction of the temple, dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, began in 2011 and was completed this year. It was created by 12,500 volunteers from around the world. Among the main unique features of the temple is the largest elliptical dome ever built in stone.
Volunteer Lenin Joshi noted that Swaminarayan Akshardham introduces the heritage and culture of India to modern America.
Created by volunteers from around the world, this masterpiece serves as a symbol of enduring love while preserving traditions and spreading messages of peace, hope and harmony between generations, he said. declared.
“We have been waiting for this moment for several years,” Joshi said, adding that the day has finally come when people from all over the country, regardless of their beliefs and religions, will be able to visit the temple and see the great symbol of Hindu tradition Indian, peace, devotion and architectural wonder.
He explained that the temple was built by nearly 12,500 volunteers – men, women and children from all walks of life – who took a break from their work and studies and dedicated themselves for days and months to build the temple .
Highlighting some of the unique aspects of the temple, Joshi said 1.9 million cubic feet of stone was used for its constriction. The stone comes from over 29 different sites around the world, including granite from India, sandstone from Rajasthan, teak from Myanmar, marble from Greece, Turkey and Italy, and limestone from Bulgaria and Turkey .
He said the temple was designed to incorporate elements of ancient Indian art, architecture and culture, including 10,000 statues, sculptures of ancient Indian musical instruments and dance forms as well as water from the sacred rivers of India.
Deputy Commissioner, New York Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, Dilip Chauhan told PTI here that the inauguration and dedication of Akshardham Temple is a “dream come true” for devotees, volunteers and devotees at across the United States.
He said the Akshardham in Robbinsville is not just a temple for a single community, but “this cultural complex is going to bring all the communities together” and will be a bridge between the local, state and federal governments and the religious community.
“We can see real diversity here,” Chauhan said.
Chauhan said US Congresswoman Grace Meng dedicated October 8, 2023 as “Akshardham Day” in Congressional District 6 of the borough of Queens in New York, comprising west, central and northeast Queens .
He said that although Akshardham was based in New Jersey, New York also wanted to be a part of it. “New York, New Jersey and the entire United States want to celebrate the importance of Akshardham,” so Congresswoman Meng designated October 8, 2023 as “Akshardham Day.”
Highlighting New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ message of “breaking bread and making connections”, Chauhan said the temple highlights the message of unity in diversity and harmony.
Yogi Trivedi of New York, a scholar of media and religion, emphasized that the spirit of selfless service and devotion is the foundation of the temple.
“This spirit will speak not only to Hindu-Americans, Indians and Indian-Americans, but also to America and the world at large. It’s that feeling of inclusion and the feeling of bringing people together that will speak to those who visit the temple,” said Trivedi, who is also an author specializing in Bhakti studies and a volunteer at the temple.
He said that while the architectural innovation is impressive in itself, the innovation in the message of the temple is unique and revolutionary.
“Akshardham Mahamandir is rooted in tradition and at the same time embraces innovation,” he said, pointing out that while walking around the base of the Mahamandir, one will also see messages from the life of Sri Krishna and the Lord Ram, from the Vedas and the Upanishads. as messages of democracy, liberty, equality and liberty from iconic leaders of American society and the Western world that will resonate with visitors.
These include Socrates, Albert Einstein, Rumi, former President Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King.
“These messages, which are universal, now speak to Americans, Hindu Americans and international visitors who come here in a way that is familiar to them. This is a Sanatan Hindu Mandir with an articulation of this universal message that speaks to the world,” he said.
Trivedi said at a time when the world is really divided and there are also divisions between people in American society, “this Mandir is a step in that direction to bring these people together, to help them understand that we need to celebrate humanity, that we must celebrate the things we share, have in common and not those that divide us. This is the message of our Guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj and this is the central theme and message of this inclusive Mahamandir Akshardham.”
Globally, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardhams are monuments of Hindu art, architecture and culture and serve as spiritual and community centers, open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
“Akshardham, New Jersey, is the third cultural complex of its kind in the world. The first Akshardham was established in Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, India, in 1992, followed by Akshardham in New Delhi in 2005,” a statement said.
During the week, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, led a delegation of ambassadors and UN representatives to the temple ahead of the grand inauguration ceremony on October 8 .
