Gujarat Chief Minister Visits BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey
ROBBINSVILLE, N.J.— Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel visited BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, on Saturday during his visit to the United States.
Patel was accompanied by senior Gujarat government officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Vikrant Pandey, Secretary to the Chief Minister.
At Akshardham, Patel was welcomed by Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami and Pujya Nilkanthsevadas Swami. He toured the complex and met with volunteers involved in its operations.
During the visit, Patel viewed the Akshardham Museum, which is under construction. According to BAPS, the museum will include 12 architectural replicas, 40 multimedia presentations, 85 immersive dioramas and 200 statues. It is planned to present aspects of India’s history, culture and spiritual traditions.
Patel also spoke with volunteers and thanked them for their work at Akshardham.
“From my heart, I thank all the BAPS volunteers for their contributions to the construction of Akshardham, which will inspire many generations to come,” Patel said. “Everyone who comes here from across the world will find peace, wherever he or she is from.”
Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami said Patel commented on the site’s architecture and spiritual atmosphere during the tour.
“It was a privilege to have Gujarat’s Honorable Chief Minister, Bhupendrabhai Patel, visit BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville today,” said Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami, a senior swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. “Not only was he overwhelmed and fascinated by the beautiful carvings and the sheer size and scale of the Mandir, but he was deeply touched by its serene and spiritual environment. While touring the museum, the Chief Minister remarked, ‘You brought India’s ancient culture back to life.”
Patel is in the United States in connection with the Vibrant Gujarat initiative. According to BAPS, his visit is the first by a Gujarat chief minister to the United States in nearly three decades.
During his visit, Patel also highlighted the role of cultural institutions in maintaining connections with India’s heritage among the Indian diaspora.
The Robbinsville complex includes a Hindu mandir and cultural facilities and is operated by BAPS, a volunteer-based Hindu organization. BAPS says the organization operates more than 120 mandirs in North America and more than 5,000 centers worldwide.
BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham was built with the participation of thousands of volunteers and is intended to serve as a center for Hindu worship, culture and education.
