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

[Mousetoescamper]

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

[nocoincidences]

1. the exterior of that large building is stunning!

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

Thank you for sharing!

[Mousetoescamper]

2. I was awestruck

You're welcome!

[Think. Again.]

3. Beautiful...

Added to my bucket list.

[Mousetoescamper]

5. You won't be disappointed

The interior, where photography is forbidden, is breathtaking.

[Diamond_Dog]

4. Wow ... I am just stunned!

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

[Mousetoescamper]

6. I was awestruck

Thanks!

[Drum]

7. Astonishing!

[Mousetoescamper]

10. Indeed!

[sanatanadharma]

8. The details, the art, the artists, the seen and the unseen

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.

[Mousetoescamper]

11. Hundreds of artisans and thousands of volunteers worked millions of hours to complete the complex

[HAB911]

9. Amazing

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

[Mousetoescamper]

12. The main building is constructed of 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble

[lark]

13. Wow, another place I've never heard of that is now on my bucket list.

[Mousetoescamper]

15. Glad you enjoyed the post!

[Judi Lynn]

14. This post is a real treasure. There is so much in each photo to see, study, absorb

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]

16. Thanks for the honor!

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]

17. An astonishing assortment of incredibly beautiful photos! Thank you, my dear Mousetoescamper.

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

[Mousetoescamper]

18. Thanks and you're welcome!

[FuzzyRabbit]

19. Amazing!

I had no idea. Thanks for posting these photos.

[Mousetoescamper]

20. Thanks and you're welcome!