The largest Hindu temple outside of India has opened in Robbinsville, New Jersey, after over 12 years of construction. The Akshardham Mahamandir stands at 191 feet tall and covers 87,975 square feet, making it not only the largest Hindu temple in the nation but also the second-largest in the world. The temple is a testament to the principles of seva (selfless service) and bhakti (devotion) that are at the core of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism.

The construction of the temple was a monumental task that required more than 12,500 volunteers from across the country. It took a combined total of about 4.7 million hours of work to hand-carve about 600,000 cubic meters of marble, granite, and limestone. Four varieties of marble from Italy and limestone from Bulgaria were transported first to India and then nearly 13,000 kilometers across the world to New Jersey. These stones were then fitted together like a giant jigsaw puzzle to create the magnificent temple.

The temple complex sits on a 126-acre tract of land and is part of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a worldwide religious and civic organization within the Swaminarayan sect. BAPS oversees more than 1,200 temples and 3,850 centers around the world and will be celebrating its 50th year in North America next year. The Robbinsville temple is the third Akshardham, or "abode of the divine," built by BAPS, with the other two located in New Delhi and Gujarat.

The construction of the temple has not been without controversy. In 2021, a civil lawsuit was filed alleging forced labor, meager wages, and grim working conditions. The lawsuit claimed that the exploited workers were Dalits, members of the former untouchable caste in India. However, twelve of the nineteen plaintiffs have now retracted their allegations, and the lawsuit is on hold pending an investigation. BAPS has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Yogi Trivedi, a scholar of Hinduism at Columbia University, believes that the allegations raised in the lawsuit go against the teachings of the Swaminarayan faith and the principles of seva and bhakti. He emphasizes that the temple would not have been possible without the service of thousands of volunteers, many of whom took time off school and work to contribute to the construction. Trivedi also highlights the inclusive nature of the temple, noting that it may be the first Hindu temple where women were involved in the actual construction under the supervision of artisans.

As the temple opened its doors to the public, families from across the country flocked to the temple campus to get a sneak peek. Devotees bowed to each other and to monks in saffron robes as they marveled at the intricate architecture and ornate details of the temple. Avani Patel, a visitor from Atlanta, expressed her awe and pride in being part of an organization that built such a resource to pass on important values to future generations.

The temple's opening week featured various celebrations and ceremonies, each focused on a different theme related to Indian culture and Hindu values. These themes included non-violence, women's contributions, interfaith harmony, community, celebrating the joy of others, and spiritual legacy. The week-long festivities will conclude with a grand dedication ceremony conducted by BAPS Spiritual Leader and Guru Mahant Swami Maharaj, which will be broadcast live worldwide.

The completion of the Akshardham Mahamandir has garnered attention from around the world, with messages of congratulations pouring in from world leaders such as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is Hindu. Mayor Adams of Robbinsville also expressed his gratitude to the volunteers, acknowledging the impact they have had on the community and the vision they had in transforming the land into a remarkable temple.

Overall, the Akshardham Mahamandir serves not only as a place of worship for Hindus but also as a representation of universal values that can be found in all religions and cherished by people of all backgrounds. The temple stands as a testament to the power of selfless service and devotion and will undoubtedly continue to inspire and uplift those who visit for generations to come.