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Mousetoescamper

(5,290 posts)
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 07:57 AM Aug 2024

My visit to the second-largest Hindu temple on the planet--in New Jersey!

Last edited Thu Aug 22, 2024, 12:15 PM - Edit history (1)

I visited the Swaminarayan Akshardham, a Hindu temple (mandir) in Robbinsville, New Jersey, yesterday (Wednesday, Aug. 21.) The mandir is the largest in the U.S., the second largest in the world (#1 is Ankgor Wat in Cambodia), and a religious tourist destination for Hindus from around the world. Photography is forbidden in the main temple building, but I was able to find plenty of subjects in the areas where photography is permitted.

The mandir is dedicated to the religious leader Swaminarayan (1781-1830), also known as Sahajanand Swami, who was a yogi and ascetic believed by followers to be a manifestation of Krishna. The tall golden statue (49 feet tall) represents Nikanth Varni, Swaminarayan’s name during his teenage years as a yogi.



Visitor center teakwood interior




Ceiling mandala




























Found in the gift shop










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My visit to the second-largest Hindu temple on the planet--in New Jersey! (Original Post) Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 OP
the exterior of that large building is stunning! nocoincidences Aug 2024 #1
I was awestruck Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #2
Beautiful... Think. Again. Aug 2024 #3
You won't be disappointed Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #5
Wow ... I am just stunned! Diamond_Dog Aug 2024 #4
I was awestruck Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #6
Astonishing! Drum Aug 2024 #7
Indeed! Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #10
The details, the art, the artists, the seen and the unseen sanatanadharma Aug 2024 #8
Hundreds of artisans and thousands of volunteers worked millions of hours to complete the complex Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #11
Amazing HAB911 Aug 2024 #9
The main building is constructed of 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #12
Wow, another place I've never heard of that is now on my bucket list. lark Aug 2024 #13
Glad you enjoyed the post! Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #15
This post is a real treasure. There is so much in each photo to see, study, absorb Judi Lynn Aug 2024 #14
Thanks for the honor! Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #16
An astonishing assortment of incredibly beautiful photos! Thank you, my dear Mousetoescamper. CaliforniaPeggy Aug 2024 #17
Thanks and you're welcome! Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #18
Amazing! FuzzyRabbit Aug 2024 #19
Thanks and you're welcome! Mousetoescamper Aug 2024 #20

nocoincidences

(2,324 posts)
1. the exterior of that large building is stunning!
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 08:05 AM
Aug 2024

The whole complex is beautiful. What a joy it must have felt to be there!

Thank you for sharing!

Diamond_Dog

(34,905 posts)
4. Wow ... I am just stunned!
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 08:14 AM
Aug 2024


Who’d a thought this was in New Jersey??

Fabulous photos! So much to see. You could probably spend the whole day there and not see everything

sanatanadharma

(4,074 posts)
8. The details, the art, the artists, the seen and the unseen
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 08:49 AM
Aug 2024

Look (especially) at the picture of the Krishna-Govinda murti (statue) with the flute.
The unseen devotion of the unseen artist(s) is seen in the delightful details of colored devotion.
The work, the actions (karmas) of so many have resulted in this place, where those with their hearts similarly so colored can be at home.

HAB911

(9,363 posts)
9. Amazing
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 08:49 AM
Aug 2024

the white building, do you know what that is made of? If it wasn't here I would assume carved stone.

Judi Lynn

(162,441 posts)
14. This post is a real treasure. There is so much in each photo to see, study, absorb
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 09:28 AM
Aug 2024

and still you can't cover it at all in one viewing. I have to do it all over again. It is enormous.

Someone mentioned the choices and use of colors. That is another world, as well, as there is a depth there which is impossible to not try to witness.

Absolutely overwhelming. There was real love and devotion poured into each aspect there, nothing wasted, and everything entirely needed. 🐁

Mousetoescamper

(5,290 posts)
16. Thanks for the honor!
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 10:12 AM
Aug 2024

I'm a big fan of your posts. While composing the introductory paragraphs, I thought, Judi Lynn could write something that would better complement these photos. Thanks for your providing many hours of fascinating reads and interesting photo essays to view.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,229 posts)
17. An astonishing assortment of incredibly beautiful photos! Thank you, my dear Mousetoescamper.
Thu Aug 22, 2024, 10:17 AM
Aug 2024

The details, the colors, the visions brought forth for us to see! Extraordinary works.

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