United States all set to get its largest Hindu temple next month

The United States is all set to get its largest Hindu temple next month on October 8. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham is located 90 km south of Times Square in New Jersey.

The 183-acre temple took nearly 12 years to be built and its construction has involved more than 12,500 volunteers from across the US.

As per reports, the temple has one main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, nine shikhars (spire-like structures), and nine pyramidal shikhars. It also has the largest elliptical dome of traditional stone architecture.


At the temple, a traditional Indian stepwell called the 'Brahma Kund' has the water from over 300 water bodies across the world.

The temple has been designed as per the ancient Indian culture. There are over 10,000 statues and carvings of Indian musical instruments and dance forms at the temple. At Akshardham, every stone has a story. The four types of stone selected include limestone, pink sandstone, marble, and granite, which can withstand extreme heat and cold. It is designed to last a thousand years.

This majestic grand temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, a Hindu spiritual leader of the 19th century, and was inspired by his 5th spiritual successor and renowned saint Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

Said to be a landmark of Hindu culture and architecture in the Western hemisphere, Akshardham would be formally inaugurated by Mahant Swami Maharaj. It will be open for visitors from October 18.

This temple is possibly the second largest after Angkor Wat in Cambodia, a UNESCO World Heritage site spanning across 500 acres.

The Akshardham temple in New Delhi is spread over 100 acres.

BAPS officials said volunteers have devoted millions of hour of selfless service to the temple. They range from 18 years old to over 60, from students to CEOs of companies, doctors, engineers and architects.