ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – The recently completed BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville has officially become the second largest Hindu temple in the world, with a footprint spanning 655,591 square feet, according to official figures released by BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).
Located in Mercer County, the sprawling temple complex is the largest outside of India and was built over more than a decade by a global network of volunteers, artisans, and devotees. The site blends religious significance with intricate architecture, cultural exhibits, and educational features, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond.
Construction of the temple relied on traditional methods and materials. More than 2 million cubic feet of stone—including Italian marble, Indian pink sandstone, and limestone—were hand-carved by artisans in India before being shipped to New Jersey for assembly. The design follows ancient Hindu scriptures, with no steel used in the structural core of the mandir (temple).
The central temple features intricately carved domes, pillars, and statues, with detailed depictions of Hindu deities, stories from sacred texts, and symbols of peace and devotion. The temple complex includes assembly halls, exhibition spaces, and landscaped gardens.
The Akshardham project was led by BAPS spiritual leader His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It reflects both religious devotion and cultural heritage, according to organizers, and is intended to promote values such as peace, unity, and spiritual upliftment.
Thousands of volunteers from across North America and abroad contributed to the construction, including through labor, fundraising, engineering, and logistical support. The temple was built with significant input from Indian-American youth and community members.
The Akshardham in Robbinsville surpasses other major temple complexes in size, second only to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. It now stands as a major religious and cultural landmark in the United States.
With its completion, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham has become a symbol of Hindu heritage and craftsmanship on a global scale.
