I had the privilege of joining the Albany Hindu Temple community on a pilgrimage to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey. This journey was a blend of spiritual discovery, community bonding, and awe-inspiring architecture. If you’re looking for an enriching spiritual experience, visiting one of the three largest Hindu temple in the world is something you should consider.
First Impressions
Before embarking on the journey, I made sure to pack my essentials: a camera to capture memories and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Early in the morning, I joined fellow devotees on a bus filled with excitement and anticipation. The atmosphere on the bus was lively.
At our rest stop, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast of paratha, sabji, and tea. Neha, one of our fantastic organizers, kept everyone entertained with trivia games that had us all laughing and engaged. It was a joyful start to a day that promised spiritual enrichment.
As we arrived at the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir, I was immediately struck by the grandeur of its architecture.
In Sanskrit, “Mandir” means a place where the mind becomes still and experiences inner peace. Since Vedic times, India’s sages have been enlightened with profound spiritual truths that served as the basis of their rituals, philosophies, scientific discoveries, and religious faith. As an expression of their spiritual faith, the yogis evolved and created beautiful mandirs to uphold these traditions. In a similar token, this mandir aims to serve as a place of understanding and appreciation of Indian art, culture, and religion for generations to come.
The Making of the Mandir
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ, began construction in early 2010 and was completed in 2014. Built in the Nagaradi style, the mandir is made entirely of Italian Carrara marble, standing 42 feet tall, 133 feet long, and 87 feet wide. It is one of only three mandirs of its kind worldwide.
The construction process involved quarrying marble in Europe, shipping it to India for hand carving by artisans, then transporting the pieces to the USA for assembly. Each stone traveled 21,500 miles from Europe to the USA.
The mandir is encased a beautiful protective mandap standing 55 feet tall and 135 feet wide. The Mayur Dwar, or main gate, of the mandap is adorned with 236 carved peacocks, along with various other carved elephants, devotees, and paramhansas. The mandap allows for the mandir to be enjoyed year-round and, shielded from the elements, it will ensure that the mandir maintains its beauty for generations to come.
The mandir’s design is incredibly detailed, featuring 40 small Fasnakar style shikhars (spires), 2 large and 8 small ghummats (domes), 98 sthambhas (carved pillars), 66 intricately carved peacock style arches, 144 carved sacred figures, 58 decorative ceiling designs, 34 decorative grills, 91 elephants with various musical instruments and flowers, and 44 Ganesh murtis portrayed offering devotion to Bhagwan. In total, there are 13,499 individual carved stone pieces. Each element adds to the overall splendor and spiritual significance of the mandir.
Volunteerism played a crucial role in the construction, with volunteers of all ages contributing to various tasks, totaling 4.7 million man-hours alongside the craftsmen. The mandir stands as a testament to community effort and devotion.
Inside the Mandir
Upon entering the mandir, we adhered to its respectful traditions by removing our shoes and covering exposed areas.
Exploring the mandir, I was captivated by the intricate carvings on the 98 pillars depicting the lives of great paramhansas (spiritual aspirants) and devotees of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Although photography was not permitted inside, it encouraged us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience.
We eventually exited through the gift shop and into the cafeteria, where we shared a meal. Special thanks to the aunty who prepared delicious aloo subji, Punjabi samosas, and tea. Sharing this meal with the group fostered meaningful conversations and strengthened our bonds.
The Journey Back
As we journeyed back to Albany, the bus ride continued with Bollywood trivia games, singing, and most importantly, prizes.
The Albany Hindu Temple community was incredibly welcoming. Despite being new to the group, I felt immediately included. Conversations flowed easily as people asked about my background and shared their stories. I was even invited to future events, which made me feel like part of a larger, supportive community. The hospitality extended to sharing food and snacks, adding to the warmth of the experience.
This love and support made me think about the importance of embracing every moment and cherishing our experiences. The wisdom and peace I found at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir are lessons I plan to carry into my daily life.
I realized that…
Life is not about what we miss out on, but about making the most of the time we have.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers—Ashish Jain, Sri Suresh Bhatia, Manoj, and Neha—for making this pilgrimage memorable. Your efforts in planning and keeping everyone involved and entertained made this journey truly special. Thanks a lot!
I was part of the group invited to join. The beauty of the trip is enhanced by the authors verbatim and detailed descriptions of many items I failed to see. Thank the author and organizers. Gurinder
Gurinder, thank you for the acknowledgement.