Largest Hindu Temple Outside India Unveiled in New Jersey

In a remarkable achievement, the largest Hindu temple outside of India now stands in Robbinsville, New Jersey. This majestic structure, created by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha sect, has been crafted using over 2 million cubic feet of stone.

A Temple of Service and Devotion

Yogi Trivedi, a Hinduism scholar from Columbia University, highlighted the core values behind this grand temple. “Service and devotion are the two basic elements that form the subtle foundation of how a temple so majestic gets built here in central New Jersey,” he explained.

An International Effort

What’s extraordinary about this temple is that it’s not just for the Indian or Indian American community. It aims to express universal values that resonate with all visitors. The temple was brought to life through the hard work of artisans, sculptors, and laborers on a 126-acre plot of land, resulting in over 4.7 million hours of labor.

Legal Controversy Lingers

Despite the temple’s magnificence, it is not without controversy. A civil lawsuit filed in 2021 alleges that the construction team, composed of low-caste Indian laborers, was undercompensated and overworked. However, 12 out of the original 19 plaintiffs have since retracted their allegations.

A World Wonder in Robbinsville

This awe-inspiring temple is the second-largest in the world, following the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia, which dates back to the 12th century. Angkor Wat was constructed by King Suryavarman II and dedicated to the deity Vishnu.

An Epic Journey for Materials

The construction of the Robbinsville temple required an epic international effort. Marble was sourced from Italy, and limestone from Bulgaria, both of which were carefully hand-carved by artisans in India and then shipped over 8,000 miles to New Jersey.

While the temple in Robbinsville has faced its share of challenges, it remains a testament to the enduring values of service, devotion, and artistry that have been woven into its very foundation.