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prismmediawire · 7 months

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Akshardham in New Jersey: A Majestic Blend of Hindu Spirituality and Architectural Brilliance

12 years in the making, this beacon stands as a symbol of the love and devotion of 12,500 volunteers

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ, October 9, 2023 - On October 8, 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey was inaugurated by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS. This monumental occasion for Hindu Americans was marked by the presence of volunteers, dignitaries, and well-wishers, all coming together under a shared spirit of reverence and community spirit.

The campus resounded with Vedic chants in the early hours when murti-pratishtha, a life-infusing Hindu ceremony, was performed on the sacred images of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781-1830), the founder of the Swaminarayan tradition within Hinduism, and his first spiritual successor, Gunatitanand Swami in the central sanctum of Akshardham. In his blessings after the sacred ritual, Mahant Swami Maharaj shared, “May all souls who come here experience param shanti (eternal bliss) and param anand (eternal happiness) in their lives.”

The grand dedication ceremony in the evening was breathtaking to behold. As fireworks illuminated the night sky, they symbolized the spirit of celebration that lit up the hearts of all those in attendance, including those connected through the LIVE webcast. Esteemed dignitaries, including Governor John Carney of Delaware, Congressman Andy Kim of New Jersey, Congressman Steny Hoyer of Maryland, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and Randhir Jaiswal, Consul General of India in New York, attended the evening ceremony.

Grand Dedication Ceremony Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, NJ, USA (baps.org) (Dedication Ceremony Assembly)

Grand Dedication Ceremony Swaminarayan Akshardham, Robbinsville, NJ, USA (baps.org)

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“The temple is a bridge, a bridge from the past to the future, a bridge from India to America, a bridge from one community to the next,” remarked Governor Carney, sharing his admiration for Akshardham.

Envisioned by the esteemed spiritual leader His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham serves as a place of peace, inspiration, and unity for individuals from all walks of life. It is a center for religious practice, cultural expression, art and architecture, and education.

BAPS initiated the creation of Swaminarayan Akshardham in 2011. At its essence, Akshardham is a revered Hindu place of worship that honors Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Hindu deities across its 13 inner sanctums.

Drawing from traditional mandir architecture described in ancient Hindu scriptures, Akshardham was created to stand for over a millennium. With stones from Italy, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, India, and other countries, it was intricately hand-carved by master artisans in India and assembled in Robbinsville, New Jersey by over 12,500 volunteers from North America and around the world. Akshardham is truly a global endeavor. It is destined to be a guardian of universal values of faith, unity, and selfless service for generations.

“I felt the sense of community from the second I stepped into this space today. I strive to make clothing that empowers women and the next generation. Today, I met so many women [who] gave me a new understanding of what strength and power really means. They’re here to make a difference, to inspire generations to come through the work that they’ve done to preserve our culture, so that it lives on. That is truly the ultimate form of strength and power,” said Megha Rao, founder and designer at holiCHIC by Megha, at an event celebrating women’s contributions.

“[BAPS] has become part of our community, and we are honored that you thought to choose our community and had the vision to turn this piece of land into something that is truly unbelievable and one of the wonders of the world,” said Robbinsville Mayor David Fried at the Community Day celebration that brought together over 38 elected officials of which 16 were mayors from across the nation.

Volunteers from diverse age groups and professions, including students, entrepreneurs, and career professionals, united to create this spiritual haven. Beyond safeguarding their cultural heritage, Akshardham symbolizes the diversity and vibrancy of the Indian American community in the United States. Their selfless contributions, offered as acts of devotion, highlight the essence of unity and mutual respect shared among them all.

“The samp (unity) between the volunteers is incredible. The ability to come from so many different walks of lives and so many places and all come together and contribute to something that’s bigger than themselves... To accomplish something great, you need to be devoted to something outside of yourself. This [Akshardham] will have a greater impact than [winning] the NBA Championship,” said Aaron Gordon, NBA Champion with the Denver Nuggets, during his visit to Akshardham in September.

With a deep commitment to service, BAPS launched several community programs in anticipation of the grand opening of Akshardham. Among these were the Days of Giving campaign and an extensive 10-week marathon blood drive. The Days of Giving initiative successfully gathered over 12,000 donations, encompassing school supplies, hygiene essentials, and food items to address the pressing needs of the local community. Meanwhile, the marathon blood drive, recognized as one of the longest-running drives in New Jersey, was a response to the nationwide blood shortage, amassing enough donations to potentially save over 10,000 lives. These efforts resonate with Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s guiding principle, “In the joy of others lies our own,” and align with Akshardham’s central aim: to inspire selfless service for the greater good of the community.

Sgt. Scott Kivet of the Robbinsville Police Department shared, “As we enter the gates here [Akshardham], we enter a community of absolute beautiful spirit. Your ability to always serve... I’ve noticed we have doctors directing traffic, cleaning dishes; we have engineers driving trucks. There is no ego on this campus. You serve, and everybody here is a stakeholder. It is God’s will that we met you and understand your culture now.”

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The “Festival of Inspirations,” a three-month-long celebration leading up to the opening of the Swaminarayan Akshardham, commemorated Hinduism’s legacy of inspiring thoughts, values, and culture. As part of the festival, a series of Vedic Mahayagna, a traditional Hindu prayer ceremony, was performed by devotees and well-wishers to offer heartfelt prayers for peace and harmony with oneself and the world. Events leading up to the grand opening ceremony featured a variety of programs celebrating diverse communities throughout the nation, honoring women for their contributions, and highlighting Hindu principles of unity, non-violence, and interfaith harmony.

“Through harmony, unity, and inclusivity, you all have accomplished a remarkable feat under the guidance of your spiritual gurus. I am positive that great people like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi would appreciate the beautiful art and architecture of this Akshardham. More importantly, they will cherish the principles of peace for all, harmony and love upon which the structure stands,” expressed Ndileka Mandela, the eldest grandchild of Nelson Mandela at the Women’s Youth event.

“As I looked through this magnificent structure, the words that popped into my head were words from the Vayikra from Leviticus: love your neighbor as yourself. We are on this planet together and need to work together to make the world a better place. There’s more that unites us than divides us,” said Rabbi Jay M. Kornsgold, Senior Rabbi at Beth El Synagogue, at the Interfaith Harmony Day, where religious leaders from different faiths engaged in an open dialogue.

Akshardham, the largest Hindu mandir in the western hemisphere, houses a unique feature at its foundation. Messages from Hindu scriptures and esteemed thought leaders, including Abraham Lincoln, Confucius, Buddha, Mirabai, Martin Luther King Jr., and others, adorn the Mahamandir’s Wisdom Plinth, reflecting the universal teachings and inclusivity at the heart of Hinduism.

In a reflective address days before the opening, Mahant Swami Maharaj emphasized, “While the physical structure of Akshardham is complete, our task now is to internalize the values it represents.”

Beyond being a sacred space for Hindu Americans to deepen their faith, Akshardham invites the broader community to experience Hindu and Indian culture and traditions. For enthusiasts of culture and architecture, it will serve as a hub of knowledge and learning.

Looking ahead, Akshardham will also feature a museum with interactive exhibits explaining not only Hinduism’s history, core teachings, and universal values but also the remarkable journey of how Akshardham was created.

Akshardham will be open to all visitors on October 18, 2023. For more information or for inquiries about future visits, please visit https://usa.akshardham.org/.

About BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham

The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham at Robbinsville, NJ, is a sacred place of worship and a center of Hindu architecture, culture, unity, and selfless service. Presenting India’s heritage to modern America, it embodies the visionary guidance of BAPS leaders Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. Created by volunteers around the world, this masterpiece stands as an enduring symbol of love while preserving traditions and spreading messages of peace, hope, and harmony across generations.

About BAPS

BAPS is a volunteer-driven spiritual organization committed to fostering individual growth through Hindu values of faith, service, and harmony. It enriches society with the devoted efforts of tens of thousands of volunteers from diverse professional and social backgrounds, contributing millions of volunteer hours annually. Under the spiritual leadership of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, BAPS nurtures Indian traditions in over 100 North American and 3,500 communities worldwide. Through these communities, it champions holistic personal growth, promotes social progress, and encourages diversity by embracing all.

CONTACT:

Lenin Joshi

BAPS North American Headquarters

Phone: 732-777-1414, ext 3352

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham

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nhouvang-blog · 5 years

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Pankaj and I first met in graduate school, by way of introduction from a mutual friend. Over the course of several months, our friendship blossomed. He asked me to go on a date with him several times; I was initially skeptical, but eventually conceded. I still remember staying up all night after our first date, talking about our families, our shared love of travel, and our life’s ambitions. It was as if we had known each other in a previous lifetime. We knew right away that we wanted to marry each other, but, of course, the actual proposal came years later. Ultimately, I found myself marrying my best friend and the man of my dreams.

What was your wedding style/theme/colors & how did it represent the two of you: Our goal was to create a magical, memorable, elegant experience for our family and friends, that was a true reflection of ourselves, our love, and our gratitude. The entire process really was a labor of love. Pankaj and I are both very detail-oriented people, so we poured our time and energy into making the wedding weekend an experience that everyone would remember forever. We brought on board Beth Helmstetter and Madeline Hunter, of Beth Helmstetter Events, to bring our ambitious vision to life. Beth’s creativity inspires me and she has such vast experience with luxury destination events; we knew that she was the one right away. Even now, several months after our wedding, we still receive countless compliments on how beautiful and meticulously planned the wedding was. The credit for that goes to her – she and her team are extraordinary. All events were held at the Ritz Carlton Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, California. We wanted every event to be distinctly different from the others in terms of mood, décor, and color palette. The resort has such a striking beauty of its own, so it was important for us to keep the décor elegant yet simple, to enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings without competing with it. We were fortunate to be able to take over the resort for the weekend, so that all guests could be hosted on property to create a unified experience. The staff was amazing and took great care of our guests, which meant a lot to us.

The wedding was held over an extended weekend in September 2018. The events were as follows: Intimate mehendi gathering on Wednesday AM. The wedding festivities started with a small mehendi gathering on Wednesday afternoon. This was an informal event for family before the rest of the guests started to arrive. It was held in a private villa overlooking the ocean. The goal was to have my mehendi ready by Thursday night, so I could move around and enjoy the Welcome Party the following night. Vaishali Gordhan, of Henna by Vaish, was my mehendi artist. She has a wonderful energy and she did a beautiful job of bring my creative vision to life. We used fleur-de-lis motifs to symbolize the city of Paris, where Pankaj and I got engaged, and wave patterns to symbolize Santa Barbara. In the end, Vaish captured our love story beautifully through her art. I wore a crimson colored silk slip-dress and an off the shoulder blush cashmere cropped sweater. I paired it with mother’s vintage pearl and diamond necklace and earrings. The hair and makeup were natural.

Welcome dinner and Mehendi Party on Thursday PM: The Welcome Dinner was on Thursday night. It was a fun, summery, bohemian inspired event that was held in a private, enclosed lawn space on the resort for our closest family and friends. The space was decorated with suspended, hanging lights and hundreds of candles and lanterns. We had one long dinner table, which was draped with block print textiles and mismatched china. Centerpieces featured florals with feathers in dusty tones, periwinkle, and pale blush interspersed with gold lanterns and wooden bowls of heaping nuts and fruit. A separate lounge area with polished ivory furniture paired with mismatched block printed pillows and Persian rugs was created for guests who wished to get their mehendi done. Dinner featured a farm-to-table family style menu, incorporating seasonal produce local to the region. Guests especially loved that Ronobir Lahiri played renditions of modern songs on his sitar, filling the air with beautiful and mystical sounds. Pankaj wore a draped, mousepeach colored jersey kurta, with silk churidar style pants. He paired it with a mousepeach and silver brocade vest. All were from Shantanu & Nikhil. Accessories included an Omega watch, which was an engagement gift to him from my parents, and Grecian-style sandals by Joy. I wore a custom JADE by Monica and Karishma organza wrap blouse with a matching netted ivory and nude lehenga skirt. I paired it with champagne wedges and a Whiting & Davis silver clutch. Jewelry included Tiffany & Co gold leaf, pearl, and white diamond earrings and necklace. I paired this with my grandmother’s vintage gold and pearl bangles.

Wedding Ceremony on Saturday AM: The wedding ceremony was on Saturday morning, on a lawn overlooking the ocean. The celebrations commenced with a baraat procession around the resort property, which led into the wedding ceremony. Upon arrival to the ceremony, guests were greeted with rose water lemonade. The Hindu ceremony took place under an 18 foot mandap made of a light mango wood. Overgrown blooms in shades of deep red, fuchsia, aubergine, blush pink, and cream were wrapped around the mandap, giving the appearance that they had been there for years. The stage was covered in layered rugs in the same color palette. The ceremony was adapted to include our personal vows and ended with a kiss. Following this, guests enjoyed brunch overlooking the ocean. Pankaj wore an ivory sherwani from Sabyasachi, paired with a matching ivory raw silk kurta and churidar pants. In keeping with the tradition of his family, he wore an ivory silk safa tied in a traditional Rajasthani style. He paired it with ivory suede loafers from Joy, a vintage emerald kalgi brooch, and an emerald necklace. He looked so handsome! Originally, for my wedding day, I wanted to be a non-traditional Indian bride and wear a muted palette. However, as the setting of the ceremony was finalized, we realized that a more vibrant color would be more striking with the blue sky and ocean as our backdrop. I ultimately decided to wear a red and gold lehenga from one of my favorite designers, Sabyasachi. It was traditionally inspired, but with a modern feel – a perfect representation of who I am as a person. The blouse had a sweetheart neckline and the chiffon dupattas had playful gold polka-dots. The all-over golden embroidery featured an intricate paisley pattern. I paired it with gold wedges. My mom and I made a special trip to Hyderabad, the city in India where she was raised, to pick out my wedding jewelry. I ultimately decided on a set from Kishandas & Co, a heritage jeweler in Hyderabad. I wore a maang tikka headpiece, earrings, collar choker/necklace, and bangles featuring raw, uncut diamonds, emeralds, and pearls in yellow gold. It was exquisite and complemented the lehenga perfectly. The whole experience of picking it out with my Mom was a memory I will treasure forever. Bridesmaids wore couture saris designed by me, in collaboration with Megha Rao of holiCHIC. Groomsmen wore bespoke raw silk kurta-churidar sets arranged by Mallika Oberoi, an upcoming Mumbai-based designer. She was incredibly resourceful for our wedding outfit preparations!

Reception on Saturday PM: The reception was held later that evening. This was a formal affair with women in summery gowns and men in summer suits. We wanted it to feel like an intimate dinner party with 250 of our closest friends and family –it was romantic and elegant. Cocktail hour was held at sunset, on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Grey tarnished bars were donned with saturated blooms repurposed from the ceremony. Guests were greeted with custom cocktails and treated to sounds from Ybarra, a local Spanish guitarist. Guests were then escored to the Bacara ballroom, which was draped with a soft grey velvet. Half of the tables were light wood, and the other half were linened with a luxurious textured linen in shades of cream. We used a combination of cream velvet, rose velvet, and X backed wooded chairs. The tabletop featured gold leaf china with gold flatware and classic glassware. Centerpieces featured blooms in shades of lavender, blush, and aubergine. Blush and grey taper candles were placed in gold holders, with tealights in rose colored glass votives. We especially loved the chandelier with overgrown green foliage and twinkle lights, and the custom leaf-printed gobo projection over the dance floor. The rest of the room was filled with potted plants and trees, in keeping with my vision of bringing the outdoors in. One of the most special memories was our first dance, which was to “La Vie en Rose.” Anthony Ybarra, a local Spanish guitarist, was kind enough to play this for us. Pankaj and I had spent countless hours with our choreographer, practicing every turn and twirl. But, in that moment, nothing else mattered – it was just the two of us, husband and wife for the first time. This was followed by sentimental toasts from our parents, our siblings, and our closest friends. Shortly thereafter, guests jumped on the dance floor and didn’t stop partying until 2 am! The afterparty consisted of guests wrapped in blankets, under the stars, enjoying late-night snacks. It will be a night to be remembered for years to come! Pankaj worked closely with the Executive Chef at Bacara to develop a custom-plated Indian-inspired menu using local ingredients. Our triple-berry wedding cake was brought in from Sweet Lady Jane, one of our favorite LA bakeries. Pankaj wore a made-to-measure tuxedo from Tom Ford and woven leather shoes from Lanvin. He paired it with his Omega watch, and his David Yurman black diamond wedding band. I wanted to wear a soft pastel shade to complete the romantic feel of the event, and a modern silhouette that would contrast with my previous looks. In the end, I wore a custom blush version of the Sunset Gown by Naeem Khan. It was so special to be able to visit his atelier in New York and work with the team on this special dress. It featured a deep cowl neck at the back, and intricate crystal beading that shimmered under the candlelight. I paired it with a custom a yellow diamond bracelet, cocktail ring, and earrings. Shoes were from the French designer Jonak, and sourced from their store just steps away from where we got engaged in Paris. Clutch was from Inge Christopher.

For us, the most special parts were: -Milni: This is the Sanskrit word for “meeting” and is an opportunity for the family of the bride and groom to welcome each other. Our mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and elders greeted each other, exchanging smiles and garlands of roses. It was really special to see their willingness to embrace one another.

-Vows: Somehow, in the all the last-minute preparations leading up to the weekend, I had forgotten to write my vows. I remember well staying up late to write them on the night before our wedding. Once I put the pen to paper, though, the thoughts flowed freely. It was very special to be able to share these promises to one another, in front of our friends and family.

What about your venue made it “the” place: Pankaj and I had always fancied a destination wedding. We really wanted to create something special and memorable for our guests, who would be flying in from all over the world. We explored several destinations, but ultimately kept coming back to Santa Barbara. We have a long-standing tradition of visiting every year: it’s stunning and picturesque, but also feels familiar and intimate. It’s one of our favorite places, and we wanted our family and friends to fall in love with it just as we did many years ago.

What flowers were used in your bouquet: The bouquet featured blooms in shades of fuchsia, raspberry, burgundy, nude, and pale blush. Holly, our florist, affixed lockets containing photos of each of my late grandparents on their wedding days at the base of the bouquet. This was a really special way to include them in the festivities.

What from your wedding was DIY: One of the most fun aspects of wedding planning was preparing for the Sangeet dances. We had a joint dance for Pankaj and I, a bridesmaid dance, a groomsmen dance, and then one huge group dance.

We hired a local choreographer, Ana Perales of Get Amped Entertainment, to help us create Western choreography to several of our favorite Bollywood songs. Most of our bridal party didn’t have dance backgrounds, so we were really humbled by everyone’s willingness to participate. It was endearing to see how focused and eager they were to master the moves! The whole process brought us much closer together as friends.

Most memorable moment from the day: One of my favorite memories was our first look, which took place on a private bluff overlooking the ocean. The clouds were clearing, and the sun was breaking through; there was something so beautiful about it. At the time, it felt like some sort of blessing. In that moment, there was a rush of emotions. I’ll never forget the look in Pankaj’s eyes – we couldn’t hold back our tears of love and joy. We had both been dreaming about the day for so long. Now, in hindsight, we never could have anticipated how that moment would change our level of commitment to one another and solidify us as a team, ready to take on the adventures of life ahead, hand in hand. Another really special moment was the Father Daughter/ Mother Son Dance during the Reception. Pankaj and I wanted to recognize the special role our parents have played in our lives. Without them, we wouldn’t be who we are today. In an effort to acknowledge them for that, we did a Father-Daughter/ Mother-Son Dance. While the dance itself was space, the preparation for it was arguable more memorable. We took two joint dance classes at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Santa Barbara during the week leading up to the wedding. There were lots of smiles and laughter (and crushed toes)!

How long it took you to plan & the biggest hurdle you overcame: We planned our wedding over the course of a year and a half. Pankaj and I are both physicians, and our unpredictable work schedules would have made it hard to plan any quicker. For us, it was just the right amount of time to be thoughtful about our decisions and mindful of the guest experience. The biggest hurdle was learning to reconcile our differences of opinion. In the end, we compromised and our weekend really was the best reflection of both of us. We are both very proud of what we accompanied. I am in tears every time I look thought our photos and watch our highlight film! I believe that planning a wedding represents the first of many challenges in life, and it’s important to remember that things won’t always go as planned. That’s OK. Focus on what is most important: the commitment to love each other unconditionally and to prioritize each other above all else. Stay positive and forward-thinking. Having all of your loved ones in the same place to celebrate one of the most special moments in your life is priceless. Other advise would be to put yourself in the shoes of the guests. They have come long and far to celebrate this day with you. How can you make the experience enjoyable and seamless for them? When planning your bridal looks, start as soon as you can. It takes a lot of time to produce, ship, and alter these garments. And, on top of that, you need accessories for multiple outfits. Decide early and order well in advance! Meet in person with key professionals that will be with you throughout the weekend. You want to make sure that you are surrounded by the right kind of positive energy during that time. When it came to assembling the rest of our team (photography, videography, makeup artist, priest), we were very discerning. I had a particular vision of how I wanted things to look and be captured, so I spent a lot of time researching, meeting with, and selecting the right people to make it happen. They all did a wonderful job.

The post MEGHNA + PANKAJ // Santa Barbara Wedding Photography by Lauren & Abby Ross appeared first on South Asian Bride Magazine.

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