Saturday, April 25, 2026
Paul Aris
Due to unprecedented demand for the Hindu Temple Tour (over 250 signups and wait list), we have decided to add three additional tours on the following weekend (April 25th and 26th). If you signed up for the April 18th or 19th dates and would like to switch to the following weekend which should be less crowded, please email Paul Aris to indicate your new preferred date. If you had not signed up yet and would like to attend, please sign up for April 25th at 10:30 am or noon, or on April 26th at 10:30am.
In conjunction with alumni from Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, WCNJ is sponsoring a free tour of the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, NJ.
Completed in 2023, the Akshardham temple complex spans 185 acres and displays a broad gamut of Hindu architectural styles, from the ancient to the modern. You will see thousands of carved figures adorning several dozen buildings and the intricate designs of the two temples on the grounds.
You will learn the fascinating story of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781–1830), a 19th-century spiritual reformer revered as Supreme God, for whom this complex is dedicated. At age 11, he undertook a seven-year, 12,000 km, spiritual pilgrimage on foot across the entire Indian subcontinent, later settling in Gujarat. There, he established the Swaminarayan Sampraday, promoting bhakti, strict ethics (no meat/alcohol), and social equality.
As you leave your car, you will see the immense, 49-foot bronze statue of Swaminayaran. It overlooks a large plaza with plaques of his teachings and a 5-acre reflecting pool. On the tour, you will witness one religious ceremony and learn the fascinating stories of Swaminayaran's pilgrimage and the all-volunteer work that built this magnificent complex.
The Tour
Tours will begin at 10:30 AM and 12:00 promptly, to enable attendance at a timed ceremony in a nearby temple, so please arrive by 10:15 or 11:45. It will include:
1. An orientation movie at the Welcome Center
2. The Ari ceremony in the Traditional Mandir temple
3. A walk throughout the grounds
4. A video depicting the "Making of the Akshardham"
5. At noon, we’ll have lunch together in the cafeteria
NOTE: The grounds tour will involve a great deal of walking across the huge campus. The final video and optional lunch at the beautiful cafeteria, with nearby food and gift shops, will be within the Welcome Center. Families are welcome.
Arrangements
There is no cost for this event, but the volunteer-run Akshardham will accept voluntary, tax-deductible donations at the conclusion of the tour; we suggest $20+ for the member and optionally more for families or guests. The optional lunch and shopping are on your own.
Choice of dates: Tours are run on both Saturday, April 25 at 10:30am and 12:00pm, and Sunday, April 26 at 10:30am. This All-Ivy event has a limited capacity and is filling fast so please register as soon as possible.
Getting there: The map address is 100 North Main Street, Robbinsville, NJ 08561, off Exit 8 of the NJ Turnpike. Please allow 15 minutes for the walk from parking to the Welcome Center, which will take you past the statue, plaza, reflecting pool and many other features, so you should arrive early.
Dress Code: No sleeveless or low-cut tops. No shorts, skirts, or dresses above knee length. No clothing that reveals the shoulders, chest, back, or knees. No clothing containing offensive language or imagery.
EVENT DETAILS:
Dates:
Register HERE.
Location: 100 North Main Street, Robbinsville, NJ 08561
Price: Free but you must register. If you register and cannot attend, please let us know so that we can take someone off the waitlist.
Registration deadline is APRIL 15.
Questions? Paul Aris
To learn more about membership and to become a supporting member please click here.
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