Who would’ve thought that a temple like this exists in Robbinsville, New Jersey of all places? Located about an hour away from both Philly and New York City, this awe-inspiring structure holds the title of the largest Hindu Mandir in the Western Hemisphere. I was introduced to this temple through the news in October 2023 when construction wrapped up and I immediately knew that this was a destination I had to visit. In this article, I’ll share my experience at the temple, insights into Hindu culture, and tips for planning your visit.
Construction and Architecture
The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey is currently the largest Hindu temple complex outside of Asia and was built between 2014 and 2023, taking nearly a decade to complete. The temple was built in traditional Northwestern Indian architecture and sits on 185 acres of land. At 191ft tall, the temple was built by 12,500 volunteers and was carved from over 1.9 million cubic feet of natural stone and marble. The complex also houses more than 10,000 beautifully detailed statues and statuettes for visitors to admire.
Throughout the complex, you will notice a lot of elephant carvings. Elephants are sacred animals in Hindu culture and are symbols of good fortune, strength, majesty, intelligence, power, and wisdom. They are usually associated with Hindu god Ganesha, one of the more popular deities in all of Hinduism.
If you aren’t able to visit the temple in New Jersey, no worries. BAPS Mandirs are located in several major cities in North America such as Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Toronto. See addresses below:
Atlanta, GA
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
460 Rockbridge Road NW, Lilburn, GA 30047
Chicago, IL
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
1851 S IL Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103‑3008
Houston, TX
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
1150 Brand Lane, Stafford, TX 77477
Los Angeles, CA
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd, Chino Hills, CA 91709
Toronto, Ontario
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
61 Claireville Drive, Toronto, ON M9W 5Z7
Visitor Etiquette
Modesty is key. Since this is a place of worship, please show respect by dressing and acting accordingly.
Dress Code
– No sleeveless or low-cut tops
– No shorts or skirts above the knee
– No tight and/or revealing clothing
– No clothing containing offensive language and imagery
Inside the Mahamandir
– No shoes, sandals, or socks (Shoe racks are provided to place footwear)
– No photography or videography
– No outside food or drinks
– No large bags
– No pets, service dogs only
– Phones must remain silent
Best Time to Visit
Parking on-site is free and the complex features a large parking lot for visitors. Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services are good alternatives and there is a section near the main entrance for drop-off.
The BAPS complex and Mahamandir are open everyday except Tuesday from 9am to 7:30pm. Free tickets must be purchased for weekend, holiday, and select Hindu holiday visits.
To avoid crowds, the best time to visit the temple is during the week around 9am when the temple opens.
Gifts and Refreshments
The temple complex has a gift shop that offers many unique items including traditional Indian crafts, books, statues, prayer beads, incense, soaps, and other souvenirs. Prices for keepsakes vary, but many of them are high-quality and reasonably priced.
Akshardham Store: 9:30am – 8:30pm
There is a cafe on the complex where visitors can take a break and enjoy light beverages, snacks, and other refreshments.
Shayona Cafe: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Cultural Exposure and Appreciation
Cultural appreciation begins with education and exposure. I’m very thankful to my parents for raising me in a multicultural environment where I was surrounded by kids who came from various backgrounds. My best childhood friend was of Hindi descent and I enjoyed being invited for sleepovers to learn about her families’ traditions. At times, I met many of her family members and would even attend family parties. I would be in awe at seeing them dress in their traditional Indian attire and wanted one of my own. I remember going to my friends’ house for a sleepover one day telling her that I started watching an Indian soap opera called Kasam Se. I randomly came across this show as kid flipping through channels and was instantly hooked. When I told my friend that, she immediately ran to her grandparents and told them that I watched the show. Seeing my friends’ and her families’ reaction reminded me that curiosity and exposure like this highlights the importance of learning about cultures beyond our own. Since this trip was rather last minute, I didn’t have enough time to purchase a saree so I improvised by buying a dupatta scarf and pairing that with black slacks, a white top, and a pair of Panjabi juttis that I got from an Indian store in Old Town, Alexandria.
Visiting the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham offers insight into Hindu culture and traditions while still sharing commonalities of community, spirituality, and human connection. People from all religions and faiths are welcome to visit the temple so whether you come for spiritual reflection or cultural and architectural appreciation like me, I highly recommend visiting.
Thanks for reading!
