The second-largest Hindu temple outside India and the largest in the US, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham, is set to be opened for the devotees on October 8. Thousands of miles away from India, this majestic 'Mahamandir' in New Jersey will be dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a spiritual leader from the 19th century, who was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The construction of this temple began back in 2015 and now it is all set to be completed by Mahant Swami Maharaj on October 8, reported news agency ANI. The first largest temple in the world is the Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia which is spread across 500 acres.
The said temple is being built in Nagaradi style using Italian Carrara marble. The world’s second largest temple constructed outside India measures 255 ft x 345 ft x 191 ft, reported the Mint. The premises will contain around 10,000 statues and statuettes, carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms. The design of the temple includes one main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, nine shikhars (spire-like structures), and nine pyramidal shikhars, Mint reported.
According to the Mint, around two million cubic feet of stone was used to construct this temple and it was sourced from various different sites from across the world, including limestone from Bulgaria and Turkey; Marble from Greece, Turkey and Italy; Granite from India and China; Sandstone from India and other decorative stones from Europe, Asia, Latin America.
Yagnesh Patel, who is a part of this project, told ANI, "History is being chiselled here. With the temple opening up to all visitors, they will learn Indian art and architecture, culture. This Mandir adds to the fabric of this nation. It's not only a proud moment for many Americans to celebrate but, also when I brought my neighbour Joe, even he was very eager to know about Indian culture, Indian art, and more specifically about Hinduism. This would be one spot that we can bring them. They will not only learn about the culture, about the art, but also the devotion that over 12,500 volunteers who came together, either from three days to three years."
A volunteer who has also been working on this project, Jena Patel told ANI, "My guru and what he's done for me that was a reason why I was able to drop everything and come here. He was my inspiration. He has lived a very inspiring life and it was his dream that we built a monument, a Mahamandir here to showcase and spread our Indian culture. This is a part of my identity of who I am as a Hindu-American, and it was a way to be part of something big, something that will impact generations to come. This is not just something for me, but it's a small way to say thank you and to make an impact for a lifetime.”
This Akshardham temple will be spread across 185 acres and will stand tall as a testament to the love, dedication, and skill of over 12,500 volunteers who came together from all corners of North America in order to build this unprecedented landmark that will last for over a thousand years.
This religious structure was designed in India by a team of BAPS swamis and volunteers. The stones were quarried in several parts of Europe and then shipped to India, where it was artistically chiselled. It was then shipped to the US where volunteers of all backgrounds assembled them under the supervision of volunteer artisans from India. That’s how the Mahamandir came together like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
The inauguration slated to take place on October 8 will include a week-long celebration. A number of US congressmen, senators, officials with the Biden Administration, as well as, state governors are expected to attend this grand ceremony, reported ANI.