If the stones could articulate their journey, they would narrate a tale of devotion and selfless service, says Yogi Trivedi, a Hinduism scholar at Columbia University. These stones, carved by artisans and volunteers over 4.7 million hours, have shaped the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in central New Jersey, standing on a vast 126-acre tract.
The temple’s construction involved four varieties of marble from Italy and limestone from Bulgaria, which traveled across continents to find their place in New Jersey. This marvel of architecture, considered the largest modern Hindu temple outside India, will open its doors to devotees on October 9.
The Akshardham temple is a testament to the Swaminarayan sect’s core principles of seva (selfless service) and bhakti (devotion). While it may not surpass the grandeur of the Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the world’s largest temple complex, it holds its unique significance.
This temple, constructed by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), an organization within the Swaminarayan sect, represents the essence of service and devotion. The organization has previously built two Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gujarat, with the former being the largest Hindu temple complex globally.
The New Jersey Akshardham faced scrutiny in 2021 when a civil lawsuit alleged forced labor, low wages, and harsh working conditions. While some plaintiffs have retracted their claims, the lawsuit remains on hold pending further investigation.
This lawsuit raised important questions about the intersection of selfless service and uncompensated work. However, the Swaminarayan faith emphasizes seeing the divine in all and serving humanity as a manifestation of the divine.
The temple’s construction relied heavily on volunteers, many of whom took time off from their regular lives to participate in the project. Notably, this temple marks a significant step forward by involving women in the actual temple construction under the supervision of artisans.
As visitors from around the country marvel at the temple’s grandeur, it serves as a symbol of universal values that transcend religious boundaries. The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Jersey stands as a testament to devotion, service, and the shared pursuit of higher values.
By Ap
