By Robbinsville, New Jersey, United States–The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan temple, known as a mandir, a 162-acre Hindu mandir (temple) complex, built in the Nagaradi style using 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble, sets the world record for being the World’s Largest Hindu Temple, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
“Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is a Hindu mandir (temple) complex. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, one component of the campus, was inaugurated and opened to the public on August 10, 2014 as the world’s largest Hindu temple outside India. The Mandir is geographically situated at the heart of the U.S. Northeast megalopolis and with relative proximity to Newark International Airport, which handles nonstop flights to India. Portions of the complex still under construction include the Akshardham Mahamandir and a visitor’s center, which will include an exhibition on Hindu faith and culture.
“The mandir was built in the Nagaradi style using 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble. The marble obtained from quarries in Europe was shipped to Rajasthan, India where hundreds of artisans carved the stones. After the finished pieces of stone were assembled in workshops, engineers sequentially numbered the pieces and shipped them to Robbinsville. Upon their arrival, the pieces were organized using the numbering system to facilitate the mandir’s construction.
“A decorative mandap, or enclosure, was built around the mandir to shield it from harsh weather and facilitate its year-round use. The structure is 87 feet wide, 133 feet long, and 42 feet high. The entrance to the mandap, called the Mayur Dwar, contains carvings depicting peacocks, elephants, and celebrated Hindu devotees of past eras. The mandir was constructed primarily through the efforts of artisans and volunteers who provided an estimated 4.7 million human hours. Volunteers engaged in various tasks during the construction process, including design and engineering, carving coordination & stone shipping, site preparation, lighting and electrical wiring, polishing, cleaning the assembled marble, tent-building, meal preparation, and offering medical services.” (Wikipedia)
The temple is 133 feet long, 87 feet wide and 42 feet tall, made of 11 million pounds and 68,000 cubic feet of marble. Its intricate carvings feature 98 sthambhas (carved pillars), 66 peacock style arches, 144 sacred figures, 91 elephants with various musical instruments and flowers, 58 decorative ceiling designs and more,” the Untapped Cities reports.
Read the rest @ https://www.worldrecordacademy.org/2023/3/worlds-largest-hindu-temple-world-record-in-robbinsville-new-jersey-423170
