BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Robinsville

This temple is the largest Hindu temple outside India.  Like other BAPS temples this temple is also dedicated to lord Swaminarayan who was an ascetic monk from India born in late 18th century and travelled all across India spreading the spiritual teaching and removing social evils.  This is a spectacular temple which is now a landmark of the state of New Jersey.  You would need to book an appointment if you are a group of 15 or more people and need a guided tour.  However you would still need to book a slot before you visit.

The temple was constructed with more than 1.9 million cubic feet of interlocking, load-bearing stones including granite, limestone, marble and sandstone from countries including Bulgaria, China, Greece, India, Italy, and Turkey

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Key facts

• Scale:
  Akshardham Robbinsville is the largest Hindu temple in the Western Hemisphere and the third largest in the world. It was built on 168 acres of land and contains thousands of statues and intricate carvings.
• Construction: The temple was constructed by over 12,500 volunteers and completed in 2023. Stones were sourced from around the world, including Europe, Asia, and India, where they were hand-carved before being shipped to the U.S. for assembly.
• Religious significance: The central shrine is dedicated to the founders of the faith, Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami, who are worshiped as Akshar Purushottam Maharaj. The complex is a place for devotion and prayer for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
• Cultural purpose: The complex was built to provide an experience of Indian culture and heritage without having to travel to India. It aims for visitors to leave feeling like a better person. 

• Diwali and Annakut: As one of the biggest Hindu festivals, Diwali is celebrated with great splendor, including fireworks and a special vegetarian food offering (Annakut) to the deities.
• Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with devotional songs, discourses, and traditional dances.
• Navratri: The nine-night festival of Navratri is celebrated with traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya Raas, honoring the goddess Durga.
• Ram Navami and Swaminarayan Jayanti: In the spring of 2025, the Akshardham complex hosted thousands of visitors for celebrations of the birth anniversaries of Lord Ram and Lord Swaminarayan.
• Festival of Inspirations: Held in 2023, this unique, large-scale festival celebrated timeless universal values and the inauguration of the complex with cultural programs and a Vedic Mahayagna prayer ceremony.
• Other events: BAPS temples also host celebrations for other festivals throughout the year, such as Holi, Guru Purnima, and Ganesh Chaturthi. 

• Authentic traditions: Events maintain the spiritual and historical significance of the celebrations through traditional rituals and customs.
• Cultural performances: Visitors can experience Indian culture through traditional music, dance, and theatrical performances.
• Family-friendly atmosphere: Special programs are often organized for children and youth to ensure the tradition is passed down through generations.
• Inspiring messages: Spiritual leaders often give discourses to provide insights on how to apply Hindu teachings to everyday life.

Visitor information

• Hours: The temple complex is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., except for Tuesdays.
• Dress code: Visitors are asked to follow a modest dress code. Tops must cover shoulders, the chest, and upper arms. Skirts, shorts, and dresses must be at least knee-length.
• Reservations: Reservations are required for entry on weekends, national holidays, and certain Hindu festivals. Entry is free.
• Location: 112 N Main St, Robbinsville Twp, NJ 08561

Contact Information

• Website: https://usa.akshardham.org/visit
• Email: info.akshardham@usa.baps.org
• Phone: (609) 918-1212

Temple Timings

Monday, Wednesday to Sunday

9 am to 7:30 pm

Tuesday closed

Aarti Timings

Aarti timings are not mentioned in the website but usually it is in the evenings.  You can contact the temple using the contact information above to know more.