Travel

Visiting the 2nd Largest Hindu Temple in the World

Spiritual thoughts at a new temple site

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.”

— Richie Norton

Recently, a friend had posted breathtaking photos of a temple she’d visited in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The temple was inaugurated on October 8th, 2023.

Robbinsville is about 65 miles southwest of NYC and about 47 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

As I looked at her vibrant photos, I found myself drawn toward finding out more. I was raised Hindu but have most definitely veered toward the spiritual in recent years. There was something about her photos that moved me spiritually.

When I reached out to her and expressed an interest in visiting, she advised me to go during sunset if I could.

As you may know from a recent article of mine, I spent quite an adventurous but lovely Thanksgiving driving over to Jersey with a large turkey. I had never thought I would be back in NJ so soon, but given how beautiful the weather was and remembering what my friend had said about the sunset visit, I thought that this was a good opportunity to get out there.

So it was decided. We were driving to Robbinsville.

Let me tell you more about this majestic addition to the Garden State of New Jersey.

BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple

Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (quite the mouthful, hence shortened to BAPS) is a highly specific movement within Hinduism, with its beginnings rooted in early ancient scriptures.

It’s the largest Hindu temple in the United States and is considered the 2nd largest Hindu temple in the entire world. It’s open to anyone from any faith or background. It’s more than a religious site; it’s a breathtaking marvel of human skill and endurance.

The temple was built over 11 years (2011–2023) and sprawls across a site measuring over 180 acres. It houses the largest elliptical dome ever constructed from stone. Around 1.9 million cubic feet of marble and other stones have been used in its construction, sourced from Italy, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and India (source).

How I felt on the site of the temple

The sunset visit turned out to be a golden (no pun intended) tip, as evidenced by my photos.

We got there right at the cusp of sunset. Even with all the cacophony around me, I felt like I was the only one present.

Can you picture movie scenes where the camera zeroes in on the protagonist and whatever they’re focused on? I felt like that for a moment. Nothing else registered for a few minutes, but the temple and the golden hues behind it.

The carvings were mind-blowingly intricate and you could be forgiven for thinking you were in India, not rural Jersey.

I found a place to sit and close my eyes momentarily. I experienced a state of calm and centeredness.

I thought about how grateful I was to be there, to exist, to have a loving family, to have a job. I wondered why I worried about trivialities when there were so many things around me that were bigger than my existence. Like the quote at the beginning of this piece, I looked at the sunset as an opportunity to reset, to have another chance. Coupled with the fact that we visited right after Thanksgiving Day, I felt very thankful to be in the presence of such beauty.

I briefly forgot all my worries and felt encouraged by the future.

Closing Thoughts

Don’t feel intimidated by the fact that it’s a religious temple. As mentioned before, I saw hundreds of people from different countries and cultures all over the site. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the beautiful grounds and the skilled carvings.

The entire experience is free, but you’re welcome to make donations and use the cafe or store to support the temple.

If people aren’t your cup of tea, perhaps you’d like to plan an early or late visit. I wish I lived closer, to experience the temple at the break of dawn, listening to the low hum of rhythmic chants.

Nevertheless, I was able to get lost in myself and tune out the noise. Beautiful structures have a way of doing that to you, don’t you think?

If you find yourself in New Jersey or live in the area, do not hesitate to explore the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple. For more information, visit their website. It’s beautifully laid out with 3D multimedia and more comprehensive information.

But then again, don’t go to the website first if you intend to visit in person. We did no research when we visited, and were well and truly surprised at how spiritual we felt on site.

Sometimes, doing no research and experiencing accidental beauty is the best travel experience you can give yourself.

I want to share this great piece by DJ Hopkins, where he and his wife visit the mighty Kata Tjuta Down Under. Its colossal scale makes him think about humanity’s insignificance and arrogance at the same time:

I don’t know why, but I continue to be fascinated by Jerusalem. I have never been, so this account by Rhonda Carrier where she tours the different holy sites in the city coupled with her precious photos from a trip in the 90s makes Jerusalem come alive:

If you’re interested in reading more about experiencing spirituality during my travels, you may be interested in my stories about ‘Iceland’: