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The largest Hindu temple in North America is reported to be the massive Swaminarayan Akshardham, located in Robbinsville, New Jersey. If one is interested in exploring the rich Hindu culture without actually visiting India, then consider visiting this new and intricate temple. But if one does go to India, there are many historic and UNESCO-listed temples that everyone must see there - as well as the new and eye-catching Lotus Temple in New Deli.
Not far away in New York City is one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the largest in North America. It is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and is only two-thirds complete - it is fully functioning, and construction first started in 1892.
UPDATE: 2023/02/04 13:38 EST BY AARON SPRAY
Learn More About Hinduism & The Symbolism Of Hindu Temples
Hinduism is the third largest and the oldest of the world's major religions. It has a rich history and is filled with symbolism. Hinduism is not specific religion but more of a collection of ancient Indian teachings, beliefs, and philosophies. This article was updated with more information about Hinduism and the role of Hindu temples.
UPDATE: 2022/11/11 15:33 EST BY AARON SPRAY
Visit Hindu Temples In India Too
There are many large Hindu temples being built in major cities across North America. But nothing can quite replace the experience of visiting age-old Hindu temples in India. This article was updated to reflect guided Hindu temple tour options in India.
Background Of The Swaminarayan Akshardham
"The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service."
- BAPS
The Swaminarayan Akshardham is a Hindu mandir (or temple) complex. Mostly complete now with the first component of the campus being opened to the public on August 10, 2014. It is mostly built now, although some parts are still under construction, like the Akshardham Mahamandir and a visitor's center. The visitor center is to include an exhibition of the Hindu faith and culture.
The proposal for the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, was first made in 1997 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. 13 years later, in 2010, the ground was broken, and construction got underway. There was a lot of volunteer work dedicated to the creation of this massive Hindu temple.
- First Opened: August 10, 2014
- Visitor Center: Under Construction but Will Exhibit Hindu Faith and Culture
When it opened, there was a great three-day celebration with over 20,000 visitors participating in various events. There was also a grand yagna in which the participants prayed for world peace.
The temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - a fast-growing Hindu denomination that was founded in 1905 by Yagnapurushdas (Shastriji Maharaj) and is of the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism. Like Christianity (which has various Protestant denominations, Catholicism, etc.) are many Hindu denominations.
Visiting The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple
The mandir or temple is open daily to all visitors from all faiths and walks of life. It is open to both visitors and for worship.
"Individuals and families are not required to book their visit in advance. On arrival, please inquire at the reception desk for the availability of a guide. If one is not available, the Audio Tour Guide should always be on hand for your visit."
- BAPS
As one enters the temple, one will see it richly adorned with carvings of peacocks, elephants, and celebrated Hindu devotees of past eras.
- Address: 112 N Main Street, Robbinsville, NJ
- Opening Hours: 9:00 am - 7:30 pm daily
- Who Can Visit: The Temple Is Open to All
There are many more BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Hindu temples around the United States to visit. There are major centers in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Robbinsville, Toronto, and many smaller centers.
To see the schedules for the many rituals, prayers, and hymns in the temple, see their website and schedules. There are also a number of guidelines for visiting - including taking photos. Photography or filming inside the mandir (temple) is strictly prohibited.
These can be a taste of Hinduism and the cultures of India. But still, to really understand and experience the bewildering diversity of India, nothing ever makes up for visiting it in person.
Construction Of The Temple And Rituals
Interestingly, it uses 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble. But this marble wasn't first shipped to the USA. Instead, it was shipped to Rajasthan in India (Rajasthan is a very historic part of India boasting much of its most well-known forts and Raj palaces).
In Rajasthan, the marble was carved by hundreds of artisans and the finished pieces were then assembled and sequentially numbered, and sent to New Jersey.
- Marble Origin: Europe
- Carving: The Carvings Were Made By Artisans In India And then Shipped To the USA
The temple has been built in accordance with the principles stipulated in the Shilpa Shastras (the Hindu texts related to the standards of sacred architecture). It is a shikarbaddha mandir and has sacred images of Hindu deities - which have also been consecrated.
The Swaminarayan swamis (aka monks) offer devotional worship to these deities throughout the day.
These rituals begin before dawn by awakening the deities by singing morning hymns. Afterward, the deities are bathed and offered food as well as garments depending on the time of day and season. There are various rituals carried out throughout the day including singing hymns. At night, they are redressed and retired for the night.
Visit Age-Old Hindu Temples In India
New Jersey's Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple may be the largest Hindu temple outside of India, but the largest Hindu temples are in India. It seems the tours of New Jersey's Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple are self-guided, but there are plenty of guided tours of the many grand Hindu temples in India.
Visiting the Hindu temples in India is one of the best ways to really explore and delve into the rich history and heritage of India. Learn about the various sects of Hinduism and see how architecture varies regionally and through different periods of history.
There are day tours of some of the most noted temples in India's main cities (like New Delhi) and there are multiday tours exploring regions of India. A couple of epic temple tours listed on Tourism of India are:
South India Temple Tour:
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Location: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Sawamimalai - Tanjore
North India Temple Tour:
- Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Location: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Delhi - Agra - Vrindavan - Varanasi - Delhi
One of the best temples to visit in India is the Golden Temple (although it's a Sikh Temple - not a Hindu Temple).
What To Know Of Hinduism & Hindu Temples
Hinduism is the third-largest religion on earth (after Christianity and Islam) with around 1 billion adherents. It is mostly found in India and by those of Indian descent living outside of India. It was once more widespread in Southeast Asia (e.g. the Indonesian island of Bali is Hindu and the famous temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia was originally Hindu).
Hinduism is considered to be the world's oldest major religion with its roots and customs dating back over 4,000 years (or not long after the pyramids of Egypt were built). Hinduism does not have a specific founder, and it is not a single religion. Rather it is a collection and compilation of many traditions and philosophies.
Hindu temples are called "mandir" or "koil" or "kovil" in Indian languages and are believed to be a house, seat, and body of divinity. They were designed to bring people and the gods together through worship and devotion.
It is worthwhile to study the symbolism and structure of Hindu temples as well as to learn about the various forms of Hinduism. Hindu temples are made to incorporate all elements of the Hindu cosmos. There are many Hindu styles and different temples are adapted to different gods as well as regional beliefs.