New Jersey, USA: In a grand inauguration ceremony, New Jersey witnessed the unveiling of a magnificent Hindu temple, touted as the second-largest in the world and the largest in the western hemisphere. Located 99 kilometers south of New York City, the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville City, New Jersey, graces the landscape with its towering 191-foot structure, which was inaugurated on October 8, attended by several thousand people and presided over by Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan (BAPS) leader Mahant Swami Maharaj.

The temple's creation was driven by the divine wish of Pramukh Swami Maharaj to establish an Akshardham sanctuary in North America, open to all, regardless of their background, in a bid to inspire people with timeless values. Dharma, gyan, vairagya, and bhakti, the four pillars of ekantik dharma outlined in Indian scriptures by Bhagwan Swaminarayan, serve as the guiding principles for this monumental structure. Akshardham Temple stands as a resplendent monument dedicated to Indian culture, tradition, and the profound teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Recognized as the largest Hindu temple outside India in contemporary times, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple opened its doors on a momentous Sunday, October 8, in Robbinsville, New Jersey, and has quickly gained significance for devotees worldwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledging its profound spiritual significance, conveyed his wishes in a letter to BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. The temple is set to welcome the public from October 18, marking a new era in spiritual and cultural enrichment for the region.

The temple's construction is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship that went into its creation. It boasts a mesmerizing combination of four distinct varieties of marble sourced from Italy and limestone from Bulgaria. These exquisite materials embarked on a remarkable journey, traversing continents and covering over 8,000 miles before reaching their final destination in New Jersey, as reported by the Associated Press. The intricate assembly process resembled a colossal jigsaw puzzle, resulting in the breathtaking Akshardham Temple.

This architectural marvel sprawls across a vast 126-acre expanse, brought to life through the unwavering dedication of countless artisans and volunteers. An astonishing 4.7 million hours were invested in meticulously hand-carving approximately two million cubic feet of stone, transforming the vision into a monumental reality that now graces the landscape of New Jersey.

Grand Unveiling: World's Largest Hand-Carved Hindu Temple to Inaugurate Tomorrow