Completed in 2023 in Robbinsville, NJ, the Akshardham temple complex spans 185 acres and displays a broad gamut of Hindu architectural styles, from the ancient to the modern. You will see thousands of carved figures adorning several dozen buildings and the intricate designs of the two temples on the grounds.
You will learn the fascinating story of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830), a 19th-century spiritual reformer revered as Supreme God, for whom this complex is dedicated. At age 11, he undertook a seven-year, 12,000 km, spiritual pilgrimage on foot across the entire Indian subcontinent, later settling in Gujarat. There, he established the Swaminarayan Sampraday, promoting bhakti, strict ethics (no meat/alcohol), and social equality.
RSVP: https://nj.alumni.columbia.edu/hindu_temple_guided_tour