World's Largest Hindu Temple Powered By Sea Of Selfless Volunteers
By A Draft Correspondent
The construction for the site of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA began in early 2010. The Mandir was the second phase of the Hindu American Religious Center construction and was completed early in the overall project to facilitate a leveled growth of the center.
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| The Mandir, built in the Nagaradi style, stands 42 feet tall, 133 feet long and 87 feet wide and is breathtaking for visitors who just cannot help attempting to capture its beauty |
In looking at the construction specifics, chiseled European marble was used to build the 12,000 sq. ft. Mandir. Despite heavy snowfall during the winter months, the mandir was completed by 2014. A consecration ceremony was held on 10 August 2014 in the presence of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, senior swamis from India and devotees from across the world.
The fifth, and the last phase of the project, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mahamandir is expected to be completed within the next 5-7 years. The foundation for the Mandir is complete, and the stone carving has begun in India.
Phase 4, the Visitor's Center, will also house a small exhibition on Indian history and culture. Countless volunteer hours have gone in the design and planning for this project. The devotees have truly upheld their Guru’s vision and woven it into their mission.
In order to fully admire the Mandir’s beauty and grandeur, let’s take a glimpse at how the Mandir was made. The Mandir, built in the Nagaradi style, stands 42 feet tall, 133 feet long and 87 feet wide and is made entirely of Italian Carrara marble (68,000 cubic feet); only the third Mandir of its kind.
The beautiful carvings seen around the Mandir are not only aesthetically appealing, but are also meaningful in many ways. For example, 98 pillars depict the lives of the great paramhansas (spiritual aspirants) and devotees of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Their inspiring stories, as well as Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s key messages are incorporated throughout the Mandir.
The process behind building the World's Largest Hindu Temple outside India, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, NJ, is multifaceted. The stone marble was quarried in Europe and sent to India through sea cargos.
Once the marble reached India, it was trucked to Rajasthan where hundreds of talented artisans would begin the work of hand carving the stones. All the pieces were first assembled at the workshops in India to ensure that they fit appropriately and accurately and were subsequently numbered, using a system developed by the onsite engineers.
The pieces were then disassembled, packed with care and shipped to America, where the pieces were organized to begin the process of assembling the Mandir. From Europe to USA, each stone travelled a distance of 21,500 miles.
Encasing the Mandir is a beautiful protective Mandap standing 55 feet tall and 135 feet wide. The Mayur Dwar, or main gate, of the Mandap is adorned with 236 carved peacocks, and various other carved elephants, devotees and paramhansas. The Mandap allows for the Mandir to be enjoyed year round, and shielded from the elements, it will ensure that the Mandir will maintain its beauty for generations to come.
When looking at it from this perspective, you can certainly gauge the complex process that was required to build such a grand scale Mandir. However, the efforts that are not seen to the naked eye were equally important while making this mandir.
This Mandir, like all other BAPS Mandirs, is the epitome of volunteerism and serves as a symbol to show the value of sacrificing one’s time and efforts towards bettering the community. Volunteers of all ages have devoted their time and resources from the beginning: assisting in the construction work, cleaning up around the site, preparing food for all the artisans on a daily basis and helping with other tasks.
A total of 4.7 million man hours were required by craftsman and volunteers to complete the Mandir. His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj has continuously inspired everyone to dedicate their best efforts towards completing this Mandir that would serve as a platform for cultivating Hindu values and serving the community in many ways.
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