Experiences

Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, NJ represents ideas that have an impact on people of all backgrounds. The Festival of Inspirations provides a platform for dignitaries and visitors from around the world to share experiences from their visit.

“When I saw what was being built, and how it was being built by volunteers, it really told me that this is the eighth wonder of the world.”

“When I saw what was being built, and how it was being built by volunteers, it really told me that this is the eighth wonder of the world.”
Guy Chiarello

Chief Operating Officer, Fiserv

“You can really connect with the passion that went into the creation of this structure. What they’ve done here, it’s remarkable, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”

“You can really connect with the passion that went into the creation of this structure. What they’ve done here, it’s remarkable, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Chris Augustin

Chief Information Officer, Merchant Services, Fiserv

“I want everyone to come and see how well everyone can work in harmony and exist peacefully. That’s the larger message that I feel Akshardham can give the rest of the world.”

“I want everyone to come and see how well everyone can work in harmony and exist peacefully. That’s the larger message that I feel Akshardham can give the rest of the world.”
Sangeeta Kapoor

Community Leader

“I am inspired by the way this Akshardham has inspired an entire generation to practice selfless service.”

“I am inspired by the way this Akshardham has inspired an entire generation to practice selfless service.”
Ma. Alaka Inamdar.png

President of the Vishwa Vibhag of the RSS

“All 3 of my family members rely on blood or blood products. It’s given life to my son, it’s given life to my daughter, and we’re hoping to give life back not only to my husband, but to the community.'”

“All 3 of my family members rely on blood or blood products. It’s given life to my son, it’s given life to my daughter, and we’re hoping to give life back not only to my husband, but to the community.'”
Karen Kohut Mclaughlin

Resident, Robbinsville NJ

“This mandir is a feat that can be compared to the likes of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It’s very important for this to be here—it serves the community and is an important way of reaching the third, fourth generation of Indians who live here.”

“This mandir is a feat that can be compared to the likes of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It’s very important for this to be here—it serves the community and is an important way of reaching the third, fourth generation of Indians who live here.”
Vaibhav Rajput

Head of Operations, Yashraj Films USA

“I’m in construction for over 45 years, I’ve never seen volunteer work at this level. It’s better than professionals!”

“I’m in construction for over 45 years, I’ve never seen volunteer work at this level. It’s better than professionals!”
Bharat Dhandhukia

Former Vice President, Silvi Group Companies

“I just love the fact that there is a new generation of Indians who are so disciplined, punctual, humble. BAPS has done such a tremendous job creating this generation of leaders.”

“I just love the fact that there is a new generation of Indians who are so disciplined, punctual, humble. BAPS has done such a tremendous job creating this generation of leaders.”
Abhay Wadhwa

Design Principal & CEO, AWA Lighting Designers

“What can happen when people come together is what we see here.”

“What can happen when people come together is what we see here.”
Rahul Jain

Director of public Affairs, Jain Society Metropolitan Washington

“I have been immensely affected by what I’ve seen here today. Having original Türkiye stone here is a sense of honor for us.”

“I have been immensely affected by what I’ve seen here today. Having original Türkiye stone here is a sense of honor for us.”
Honorable Reyhan Özgür

Consul General, Republic of Türkiye

“The unity, the positive energy, if you have any negative feelings, they leave you immediately because you can’t help but be positive when you come and experience Akshardham.”

“The unity, the positive energy, if you have any negative feelings, they leave you immediately because you can’t help but be positive when you come and experience Akshardham.”
David Haubert

Vice Chair, Alameda County Board of Supervisors, CA

“Everybody here, when you’re walking around, everyone is bowing down, we’re all here to feel that same togetherness. There’s humility, there’s no job that’s too small for anybody.”

“Everybody here, when you’re walking around, everyone is bowing down, we’re all here to feel that same togetherness. There’s humility, there’s no job that’s too small for anybody.”
Foye Oluokun

Linebacker, Jacksonville Jaguars

“The children and youth programs that take place at BAPS mandirs give our children values and teach them about our culture when they are young.”

“The children and youth programs that take place at BAPS mandirs give our children values and teach them about our culture when they are young.”
Dilip Joshi

Indian Film & TV Actor

“Today is an opportunity to reflect upon the values that bind us together, that are embodied by this beautiful temple: sacrifice, work, art, the creation of each of us to give thanks to our God.”

“Today is an opportunity to reflect upon the values that bind us together, that are embodied by this beautiful temple: sacrifice, work, art, the creation of each of us to give thanks to our God.”
Pete Sessions

United States Congressman (TX-17)

“The Akshardham Mahamandir will stand the test of time, proudly representing Indian tradition. It is crafted not merely from stones, but also the devotion embedded within.”

“The Akshardham Mahamandir will stand the test of time, proudly representing Indian tradition. It is crafted not merely from stones, but also the devotion embedded within.”
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Founder, Art of Living Foundation

“Our purpose is to give back: there’s so much diversity in Robbinsville and when you come together as a community, you learn from each other, you understand each other, and so I thank you guys for doing this blood drive.”

“Our purpose is to give back: there’s so much diversity in Robbinsville and when you come together as a community, you learn from each other, you understand each other, and so I thank you guys for doing this blood drive.”
Deborah Blakely

Council President, Robbinsville Township

“I’m grateful for BAPS for always be working with our community and for always thinking about what they can do for others.”

“I’m grateful for BAPS for always be working with our community and for always thinking about what they can do for others.”
David Fried

Mayor, Robbinsville Township

“I saw that there was a willingness to volunteer here. Every single person I spoke with was honored to be here, to be a part of this, and that’s something you carry with you forever.”

“I saw that there was a willingness to volunteer here. Every single person I spoke with was honored to be here, to be a part of this, and that’s something you carry with you forever.”
Robert Karabinchak

NJ State Assemblyman

“The power makes you speechless, makes you have tears in your eyes. It is just amazing and unique, if you think about how the whole structure was started and finished. It’s a marvel.”

“The power makes you speechless, makes you have tears in your eyes. It is just amazing and unique, if you think about how the whole structure was started and finished. It’s a marvel.”
Dr. Badhri Nath

Surgeon & Medical Director

“It’s my first time coming here, greeting people, meeting people. Everyone here felt like one big happy family. It makes me want to go out and do more for my team and my brothers that I’m playing with. No matter who you are what religion, what background, you are welcome, and it’s going to feel like home when you come here.”

“It’s my first time coming here, greeting people, meeting people. Everyone here felt like one big happy family. It makes me want to go out and do more for my team and my brothers that I’m playing with. No matter who you are what religion, what background, you are welcome, and it’s going to feel like home when you come here.”
Azeez Ojulari

Linebacker, New York Giants

“To describe what’s happening here, you cannot justify it with words. You have to be here to see and feel what’s happening.”

“To describe what’s happening here, you cannot justify it with words. You have to be here to see and feel what’s happening.”
Sunil Nayak

Founder & CEO, Innzen Hospitality

“This is just to a different scale. Everyone said how big Akshardham is, but you really don’t understand the scale until you come here.”

“This is just to a different scale. Everyone said how big Akshardham is, but you really don’t understand the scale until you come here.”
Niraj Antani

State Senator, 6th district, Ohio