The palatial Patel House would have been the shooting location if Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani had been filmed in the United States. Spread over 17 acres, the majestic residence – Surya Kiran Palace – is either a dream or envy of every Indian-origin billionaire. Home to three generations of an Indian American billionaire family, the Patel House is worth a visit (by invitation only) in the southeast US.

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Surya Kiran Palace is a most prized possession of Dr Kiran Patel and Dr Pallavi Patel who call Tampa their home in Florida. Their newly-built Carrollwood residence is, apparently, the largest in Hillsborough County. It took 10 years to be complete in 2023 following the ground-breaking ceremony in 2013. This is where the Patel couple hosted their golden marriage anniversary amid fun, feasts and fireworks 9 months ago.

With Mughal-style arches, towering columns, and pink-hued sandstone, the multimillion-dollar Patel House features traditional architecture (an eclectic mix of Indian, Persian and Italian styles) from outside. The grand interior is very much American and exudes contemporary elegance, from 22-ft floor to ceiling windows to the exclusive collection of handpicked artifacts for décor.

The residential part of the Patels’ 17-acre estate in Tampa Bay has two main wings over a total area of 63,000 square feet. Dr Kiran Patel resides in one wing with his wife Pallavi, and the other wing houses their son and his family. Each wing has a private entrance. They share the kitchen, the living area, the home theatre, and the indoor temple out of their adherence to the age-old Indian practice of keeping family members united.

Be it philanthropy or their personal space, the Patels are equally liberal with their wealth. The colossal entrance leading to the main hall faces a pool with fountains; a testimony to their king-size living. It is a square structure with shikharas and intricately designed arches on four sides, like the magnificent porch of mansions in the erstwhile Rajputana provinces of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Surprisingly, bigger than this is the outermost entrance built like a watchtower.

The central unit consists of a fully airconditioned, palatial edifice having 32,000-sqft space. The formal living area is as immensely spacious as over 15,000 square feet that can accommodate more than 500 guests at a time. What is more surprising is that the Patels’ Surya Estate in Tampa has a banquet hall sprawling 4,000 square feet and three guest houses. The residential area is meticulously landscaped with sprawling lawns, gardens, fountains, waterfalls, and an astounding 450m long swimming pool.

In Florida, the Patel House compound also has two small blocks, each having over 7500sqft space, where the Patels’ two physician daughters will gradually move in with their spouses. “I am very fortunate that all my three children decided to stay in Tampa, which is unusual in this day and age,” the Tampa Bay Times quoted Dr Patel saying in an article. There is dedicated space for yoga and meditation, and a beautiful lotus blossom made of glass draws attention to this relaxing space.

The compound, on the inner side, is lined with cypress trees which were planted celebrating Dr Kiran C Patel’s 65^th birth anniversary. The 17-acre Surya Estate does also encompass a lake that adds to the serene ambience and scenic beauty of the palatial residence. If the richest Indian business family’s Antilia in Mumbai is a vertical wonder, the Indian-American pharma baron’s Surya Kiran Estate in Tampa is a marvel on ground.

Florida-based Dr Kiran Patel and Pallavi Patel are healthcare entrepreneurs with several philanthropic undertakings to their credit. In 2019, they made a whopping, nonprofit investment of $200 million to Nova Southeaster University for free medical education of meritorious students from India and other developing countries. Most recently, they inaugurated a new medical college of osteopathic medicine in Orlando, Florida, among their funded projects for the welfare of humankind.

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OM, a most sacred symbol in Hinduism, embodies the essence of the cosmos and connects to the absolute Supreme. This monosyllabic sound is believed to reverberate at the core of the universe. Recently, India inaugurated a grand temple which resembles the Sanskrit version of OM from a certain height. Constructed over 29 years after its foundation was laid in 1995, the world’s first OM-shaped temple is a must visit in Rajasthan.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple may have incurred a total cost equal to or a little lesser than the cost of the Radhika-Anant Ambani wedding in India’s richest business family. The first-of-its-kind OM mandir is located in Pali near Jodhpur, the Blue City. It is also 140km away from Nathdwara that homes the Ambanis’ family deity, Shrinathji and the world’s tallest Shiva statue – the Statue of Belief.

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The OM Temple of Rajasthan is an architectural masterpiece sprawling 250 acres of land in an idyllic village called Jadan. It houses as many as 1008 idols of Lord Shiva and 12 Shivlings resembling the 12 divya Jyotirlingas spread across India, thereby giving devotees a rare opportunity holy darshan of all the 12 Jyotirlingas at one place. The Shivling installed at the topmost part of the temple building is made of a special rhinestone.

India’s first OM-shaped temple layout and architecture         

The monumental temple supported by a whopping 2000 pillars stands tall at 135 feet. It comprises of 108 residential compartments laid out like the ॐ design with imposing structures at the end points. A serene crescent-shaped lake and a 108-ft tower make up the chandrabindu (diacritic sign) at the top of OM as written in the Devanagari script. The tower has 12 temples, one of which is dedicated to the Sun God.

Built in the Nagara style of architecture, the temple adheres to the age-old architectural traditions of the region, such as the use of iconic pink sandstone and hand-crafted sculptures. The pink sandstone construction of modern times beautifully echoes the architectural splendor of age-old monuments such as Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace, and Jaigarh Fort among the historical landmarks in Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

The 108 compartments are symbolic of 108 rudraksha beads of a rosary thread (japamala) – this sacred number is believed to attract cosmic energy of the universe. The vastu-complaint temple complex houses a school, a college, a library, a star-shaped hospital, and a Swastika-shaped hostel to facilitate residential learning programs for students from different parts of the country and abroad. Also called OM Ashram in Pali, the temple is a monumental initiative for uplifting individuals and society at large to spiritual heights.

Other than the newly inaugurated OM Ashram, Pali is largely known for its beautiful Jain temples; the most prominent being Ranakpur Jain Temple, a significant pilgrimage site for Jains from across the world. Once part of the Marwar kingdom in the erstwhile princely state of Jodhpur, Pali has ancient forts standing tall to this day and narrating stories of the city’s glorious past. Interestingly, Kumbhalgarh Fort known for the Great Wall of India, where bravest Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap was born is an ideal road trip from Pali.

Pali is only a one-hour drive from Jodhpur Airport served by regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Jaipur airports. You can book your flight tickets to Delhi and then take a domestic flight or train to Jodhpur. Several other important landmarks such as Ranakpur Sun Temple, Parshuram Mahadev Temple, Nimbo ka Nath Temple are within the religious and spiritual circuit of Pali.

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Similar to the largest Akshardham Swaminarayan Temple in America, the Middle East’s first-ever stone temple is all set for a grand inauguration on February 14. Located near Zayed International Airport of Abu Dhabi, the BAPS Hindu Mandir resembles a lotus in the sprawling desert from high on. The temple, a monumental piece of architecture spread across 27 acres of land donated by the UAE government, is a beacon of global harmony, embodying the cultural legacy of both countries – India and the UAE.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir in UAE makes for an ideal detour for Indian travelers transiting through Dubai DXB Airport or Abu Dhabi (now Zayed International) Airport. This newest addition to a Dubai or Abu Dhabi stopover itinerary would turn your layover into a spiritual sojourn when you connect to India or USA via the UAE. Built for a whopping US$ 110 million, the temple with 410 pillars rises 108 feet above the golden sandscape of Abu Dhabi.

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A spiritual oasis for global harmony in the Gulf

With its foundation laid in 2017, the temple is a beautiful artwork in stone that evokes wonder and admiration for thousands of skilled artisans, engineers and volunteers from India, the UAE, the US and other countries. “A Muslim king donated for a Hindu mandir, where the lead architect is a Catholic Christian, the project manger is a Sikh, the foundational designer is a Buddhist, the director is from the Jain community, and the construction company is a Paris group,” said a BAPS spokesperson. Indeed, the temple is a tangible emblem of communal harmony in the Gulf.

Massive construction and 700,000 volunteering hours     

The construction of Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Temple had been a huge logistic undertaking over the past four years. 180,000 cubic feet of sandstone from Rajasthan and 40,000 cubic feet of marble from Italy have gone into the making of this spiritual Xanadu. More than 25,000 hand-carved pieces of stone from India were assembled on site as per the preconceived digital model. It demanded more than 690,000 hours of over 200 volunteers from different walks of life.

The temple construction commanded strict adherence to the principles of Shilpa Shastra. The use of iron and steel was completely avoided in the construction of the Middle East’s first BAPS mandir, just like Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. Fly ash was predominantly used in the concrete mix for the foundation to make the temple sustain 1000 years in extreme temperatures of Abu Dhabi. Interestingly, 100 sensors have been embedded in the foundation and 350 sensors throughout the temple structure to receive data on seismic activity, pressure changes and temperature volatility in the area surrounding the temple.

Design, architecture, sculpture, facilities, attractions

BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi is a spiritual Xanadu with a waterfall, a Varanasi-like ghat, a pillar of pillars, and the Dome of Harmony. Despite being a modern structure, the temple exudes the age-old charm of ancient Indian stone shrines in its every inch from the splendid sandstone exterior to the majestic marble interior. The intricate carvings on the pillars, domes, walls and arches bring to life timeless tales of the Indian epics and teachings of the Hindu scriptures – which walk the followers of various faiths through the cultural heritage of Bharat.

The temple pays homage to its geographical host by integrating some elements of the Arabian heritage into its traditional design. The seven shikaras (spires) with beautiful figurines of Hindu gods and goddesses carved onto them, represent the seven emirates of the UAE. The temple walls feature carvings of horses, camels and falcons among the animal-centric motifs found in the Emirati sculpture, alongside engravings of classical dancers and musicians from the history of India. The Sun, the Moon, and other objects of celestial importance have also been sculpted to connect the temple with the cosmos.

BAPS Mandir of Abu Dhabi, open to all, is a congregation of the most worshiped deities from all over India. the temple has shrines dedicated to Radha Krishna, Ram Sita, Hanuman, Shiva Parvati, Lakshmi Narayana, Ganesha, Kartikeya, Jagannath, Ayyappa Swami, and Padmavati Venkateswara. It also houses lifelike idols of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Akshar-Purushottam. With a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people at a time, the temple has earned the distinction of being the largest temple in West Asia

Among the attractions within the  temple complex are thematic gardens, an amphitheater, and a waterfall feature symbolic of the confluence of three holy rivers – the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The amphitheater designed like a ghat on the Ganga River in Varanasi boasts of serene ambience. The temple complex also houses an exhibition hall, a meditation hall, a library, a food court, a visitor center, a gift shop, children’s playgrounds and several other facilities.

The Dome of Harmony, one of the architectural highlights of the temple, features exquisite carvings of the pancha bhutas – air, water, fire, earth and space – signifying the harmonious coexistence of these basic elements in the universe. Among other attractions are 96 bells adorning the path leading to the main temple. These bells collectively signifies Pramukh Swami Maharaja’s 96 years of mortal life on earth.

The post BAPS Mandir, UAE’s First Hindu Temple Built for $110M, is a Lotus in the Desert and a Beacon of Global Harmony appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

North America homes not only the largest Akshardham Temple in New Jersey, but also the temple with the tallest gopuram in stark contrast to the skyline of North Caroline dotted with modern high-rises. GOPURAM, a most distinctive feature of South Indian temple architecture, is more than a majestic structure at the main entrance of a temple. Rising to the sky, it attracts positive energy from the universe and serves as the gateway to a divine space brimming with cosmic energy. Precisely, it stands for India’s ancient history, cultural prosperity, and spiritual glory.

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North Carolina’s Sri Venkateswara Temple is the only Hindu shrine with the tallest gopuram in not just the States, but North America. Cary, a quaint town near Raleigh in the Research Triangle Park where thousands of Indians have settled over years, is the location of the temple. Though the temple was built in 2008, the 87-feet raja gopuram is the newest addition. The 7-storey gopuram of Sri Venkateswara Temple in Cary, NC was commissioned when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees. The tower was erected and inaugurated when the world began to rise over the pandemic.

“The raja gopuram is the threshold between the mundane and the divine. Named the ‘Tower of Unity and Prosperity’, the intricately sculpted gopuram of North Carolina’s Sri Venkateswara Temple is where devotees leave their worries behind while stepping into the sacred complex, according to the board of trustees. So high is the sociocultural significance of temple towers that the entrance of Trichy International Airport’s new terminal is modelled on the 240-ft high gopuram of Ranganathaswamy Temple,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats.

The 2.5-million-dollar tower came into being because of the “donate a brick” program that elicited a warm response from the local Indian Diaspora. Evidently, the Tower of Unity and Prosperity signifies the growth and harmony of the Indian community in North Carolina, especially Wake County that houses over 51,000 Indian-origin immigrants, according to the 2021 census. Built in adherence to the Shilpa Shastra and Vastu Shastra principles, the tower was unveiled on Diwali, the festival of lights, in 2022, with North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper in attendance.

The temple housing a 9-ft murti of Sri Venkateswara Swamy is the Tirupati Balaji Temple of North Carolina. In the late 1990s, an Indian couple bought 2.8-acre land for the temple, raised funds for construction and laid the foundation brick. Inaugurated in 2009, the temple has the Dravidian style of architecture and features beautiful carvings of Hindu deities as well as mythological figures from the Indian epics. 14 skilled artisans from India were brought to Cary to sculpt the idols and figurines for the temple. There are also small shrines consecrated to 18 other gods and goddesses besides the presiding deity, Lord Venkateswara.

A bridge to the roots and a spiritual anchor for Indians in and around North Carolina, the temple has a gurukulam (traditional school) among other facilities within the 9-acre complex, which will house a two-story multipurpose assembly hall and a sprawling cafeteria in the next phase of expansion. It was at this temple that the state governor signed the historical Diwali Proclamation in 2017, declaring October as the month of Hindu Heritage.

Sri Somesvara Temple on Mount Soma, known as the Mount Kailash of America, is another must-visit place in North Carolina for Indians. Mount Soma, a 450-acre Vedic community amidst lush greenery and profound serenity, is where science and spirituality complement each other. Read our exclusive article about Mount Soma, home to one of the most beautiful jyotirlinga shrines outside of India.

The post This Indian Temple, Dubbed as the Tirupati Balaji Temple of East Coast, has Tallest Gopuram in America appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

India will ring in the New Year 2024 with elaborate preparations for the most anticipated inauguration of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya on 22 January – that will go down as a momentous event in the annals of Indian history. Of the most ambitious religious constructions, such as Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir and Mayapur ISKCON’s Vedic Planetarium Temple; the Ram Mandir is a manifestation of the deep-rooted faith of millions of Indians who hold Ram Lalla close to their hearts.

Designed 3 decades ago by Chandrakant Bhai Sompura, who hails from a renowned family of architects credited with over 200 shrines, including Gujarat’s Somnath Temple; the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya is a lot more than a brick-and-mortar edifice. Each and every brick in the grand temple complex, which will spread over 70 acres on the holy banks of the Saryu River, is concretizing the spiritual and cultural glory of India. It’s a harbinger of cultural renaissance, a testament to resilience, and a monument celebrating the homecoming of Ram Lalla.

Expected to be the world’s third largest temple next to BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, New Jersey upon the final-phase completion in 2025, the Ram Mandir complex will be spacious enough to host a million devotees at any time. The massive three-storey structure that rises 161 feet above ground is supported by a 50-ft deep foundation, ensuring that the temple can withstand the blows of time for at least one thousand years without requiring renovation. The foundation can resist even a 6.5-magnitude earthquake, asserts Champat Rai, the general secretary of the temple trust.

A sneak peek into garbhagriha of Ram Mandir

The garbhagriha of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is a world of ancient Indian art in itself. A kaleidoscope of various sculptures from different parts of the country, it is modelled on the inner sanctum of Gujrat’s Modhera Sun Temple wherein the first rays of the sun fall on the deity. Similarly, the garbhagriha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is designed in such a way adhering to the millennia-old Vaastu Shastra principles that sunrays would fall on Ram Lalla to be enthroned on an 8-ft-high gold-plated marble throne. A 5-ft murti of Lord Ram shows Him as a 5-year-old child armed with a bow and an arrow.

Interestingly, no steel or iron has been used in construction of the Ayodhya temple. The main temple is built entirely of stones, wood, copper and white cement. Every brick with ‘Ram Naam’ engraved on it has gone into erecting the temple, just as the stones bearing the same sacred name were laid to build Ram Setu in Treta Yuga. It reflects unbridled devotion of Hindus through ages.

Artisans and sculptors from across India have come together to bring Ram Mandir alive as an immortal wonder on earth. The superstructure is carved out of Bansi Paharpur pink sandstone from Rajasthan. Crafted by a team of carpenters from the temple towns of Tamil Nadu, the 44 doors of the mandir, including the garbhagriha door and the main entrance, will leave devotees in awe of their intricate design, impeccable beauty, and geometrical precision.

A most intriguing feature of Ayodhya Ram Temple is its east-facing Gopuram-style entrance, masterfully integrating Dravidian glory into the Nagara architectural splendor. Every inch of the temple – from walls and doors to columns, ceilings and plinths – is adorned with exquisite carvings of gods, goddesses, and narratives from the epics and scriptures of India. The sculpture of the temple provides a window to the cultural heritage of Bharat. The 366 columns feature life-like idols of various avatars of Vishnu, Shiva, Saraswati, and Chausath (64) Yoginis.

An octagonal shikara towers above the sanctum sanctorum, which is surrounded by five dome-shaped mandapas. Kudu, Nritya, and Rang mandapas are located on one side of the garbhagriha whereas Kirtan and Prarthana mandapas are on the opposite side. Of the colossal temple accessories is a whopping 2100-kg bell that will fill the air of Ayodhya with sonority of the morning and the evening aarti. A 44-ft dhwaj dand (flag pole) will be perched atop the temple. A dhwaj dand or dhwaj stambh represents the cosmic axis and draws the energy of the universe to the garbhagriha.

Arrangements are in full swing for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony to take place on 22 January. 600 kg of desi ghee from Jodhpur and turmeric from Cambodia have already arrived in Ayodhya. The Maharishi Sandipani Ram Dharam Gaushala in Jodhpur sponsored ghee for the first aarti and hawan rituals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and 10,000 dignitaries from different parts of the country will attend the inauguration ceremony. On the auspicious day of Ram Lalla’s consecration, a special puja will be performed at 5 lakh temples across India.

As per reports, a time capsule has been placed 200 feet under the ground where the foundation of the temple has been laid. The main objective of placing the time capsule is to save the origin of the temple so that the temple history can be traced thousands of years down the line.

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India is touching dizzying heights of glory with back-to-back massive constructions. The country, which is now home to the world’s tallest Statue of Unity in Gujarat, the world’s tallest Shiva statue in Rajasthan, and the world’s tallest railway bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, will see the inauguration of more wonders including the world’s largest Vedic monument in Bengal, and the world’s tallest temple in Uttar Pradesh.

The world’s tallest temple in question is Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir under construction at a whopping cost of $1 billion. Speculated to be one of the most expensive temple buildings in the world, this ISKCON temple will boast an astounding height of 700 feet on completion. Interestingly, the temple will surpass the world’s tallest Statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (597 feet) in height.

The temple complex sprawls over 62 acres, while the 7-story temple building will have a total floor area of 540,000 square feet. A contemporary touch to the temple’s traditional Nagara style of architecture is meant to serve ISKCON’s purpose to reinterpret the profound wisdom from India’s ancient scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam within the modern context to render their eternal relevance to the current generation.

The towering structure will have four temples on its four ends. The temples will be dedicated to Krishna Balram, Radha Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and Swami Prabhupada. The main temple housing the idols of Radha Krishna will have a grand prayer hall that can accommodate 5000 devotees at a time. The prayer hall will be beautified with sculptures and frescoes depicting the life of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan. The soon-to-be inaugurated Mayapur ISKCON Temple near Kolkata will have the largest prayer hall with space for 10,000 devotees.

Anticipated to be a colossal wonder of white marble, the world’s tallest ISKCON temple will feature a lotus-shaped dome with the glass surface that will be dazzling on moonlight nights. The temple is a dream project for renowned architect Bimal Patel, a Padma Shri awardee, and his team. He is the chief architect for the Rs 14000cr Centra Vista, Gandhinagar Akshardham Temple, Gujarat High Court, Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Varanasi Viswanath Dham, and the new campus of IIM Ahmedabad.

The upcoming Radha Krishna temple site in the holy land of Vrindavan will also house a spiritual sanctuary comprising 12 forests, which will be named Madhuvana, Talavana, Kumudavana, Bahulavana, Kamyavana, Khadiravana, Vrindavana, Bhadravana, Bilvavana, Lohavana, Bhandiravana, and Mahavana after the twelve gardens of Brijbhumi. These forests are said to be modelled on the gardens described in the stories of Sri Krishna. Each forest will be landscaped with orchards, lush vegetation, green pastures, waterfalls, lotus ponds, musical fountains and artificial hillocks.

There will be a heritage museum, a library, a cultural center, and a viewing tower with telescopes at the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Temple complex. Visitors can catch panoramic views of the premises, Vrindavan town and the Yamuna River from the viewing tower. The 7-storey temple tower will have an elevator. Visitors will be able to enjoy a light and sound show on the universe’s planetary systems, as described in the Vedic literatures of Bharat.

Seva being integral to the culture and philosophy of ISKCON temples worldwide, the Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir will have a spacious Annadanam Hall and food distribution counters. Sadhus, pilgrims and the underprivileged will be served sattvic meals in the well-ventilated Annadanam Hall, while the food distribution counters will offer one serving of prasadam to every visitor. A huge temple kitchen where sattvic food will be cooked for the deities, priests and visitors is also on the construction agenda.

An expansive biodiversity park within the temple complex will feature themed zones like sacred forest, butterfly park, and ayurvedic herbal garden. It will not only serve as a natural habitat for some local species of flora and fauna, but also provide a serene space for visitors to revel in the beauty of nature. Beautiful nature trails will meander through flower gardens, trees, small lakes, and water fountains. A walk through the ayurvedic herbal garden will enrich your knowledge of medicinal plants.

One of the most interesting facts about ISKCON’s Vrindavan Chandrodaya Temple is that its foundation is deeper than the world’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa in Dubai by five meters. Burj Khalifa has got its foundation rooted 50 meters under the surface. Moreover, the temple will have earthquake-proof features, like shock-absorbing foundations and seismic isolation systems. Despite its location in the earthquake-prone region of the country, the temple can withstand intense tremors up to magnitude 7.5.

Reportedly, one end of the temple complex will be connected to the other end with skywalks. Devotees from across the country will have various accommodation options to enjoy the divine bliss for a few days within the complex. Other than a helipad, the temple site will have a 12-acre parking lot, goshalas, and a huge convention hall for religious and cultural events. The convention hall can also be booked for marriages and other social ceremonies.

Interestingly, the temple site is expected to have a Krishna theme park with fun rides among various attractions for young devotees (kids). other than community development, welfare programs for the underprivileged and widows of Vrindavan will be on the agenda of the temple body, as per reports. While Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is expected to be fully completed in 2026, its south wing is set for inauguration in the auspicious month of Kartik in 2023.

Vrindavan is a 3-hr drive from New Delhi IGI Airport, which is well connected with major US cities by Air India, British Airways and other airlines.

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Hindus make up half of the Indian American community in the United States, according to the 2023 Pew Research Center Survey. Their cultural identity and contribution to America’s ethnic diversity is being acknowledged more than ever. The opening of America’s largest Hindu temple in New Jersey and the celebration of Hindu heritage by more than 20 US states in the month of October are testimonies to their cultural influence on the American way of life.

Recently, the state of Michigan declared October as ‘Hindu Heritage’ month through an official proclamation. Celebrating this monumental achievement for Indians in Michigan, Travel Beats – Indian Eagle Travel’s community portal for Indian Diaspora in America – takes you on a trail to five best temples in Farmington, Novi, Canton, Detroit, and Pontiac. These temples in Michigan are not just places of worship, but also hubs of community events.

Sri Sharadamba Temple, Farmington Hills

Of the new temples in Michigan, Sri Sharadamba Temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Saraswati. The second cultural establishment of Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (SVBF) in the United States, the Sri Sharadamba Temple of Michigan is next to the first such temple located in Pennsylvania. The other two temples are coming up in Houston, Texas and San Diego, California.

The Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation is an extension of the ancient Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka, established by the 8^th century Advaita Vedanta philosopher, Adi Shankara whose 108-ft statue of Oneness was unveiled for Rs 2141 crore in Madhya Pradesh on September 21. The new campus of Sri Sharadamba Temple in Farmington Hills spreads across 17,000 sq. ft and houses several shrines of Hindu gods and goddesses.

The main sanctum enshrines the Panchaloha (a mix of five alloys) murti of Sri Sharadamba, along with the idols of Adi Shankara and Chandramouleeswara (Lord Shiva). With intricate carvings and delicate sculptures, the temple features a spacious community hall and a temple kitchen. The other shrines on the temple premise are consecrated to Durga, Hanuman, Sri Rama, and Sri Krishna.

Sri Venkateshwara Balaji Temple, Novi

Among the Hindu temples in and around Detroit, Sri Venkateshwara Balaji Temple of Novi stands for the faith and harmony of the Telugu-speaking Indians in Michigan. Built by the Detroit Telugu Association, the two-storey temple is home to Lord Venkateshwara Swamy, the presiding deity of Tirumala Tirupati in India. Envisioned as a ‘cultural and spiritual anchor’ for the Hindu community in Oakland County, the temple caters to the spiritual appetite of and provides cultural enlightenment to devotees.

The temple has a modest canteen, though not as huge as New York’s Ganesh Temple Canteen in size or menu. Known as Balaji Kitchen, the canteen serves authentic South Indian dishes such as idli, sambar, vada, upma, and pongal on Saturdays. The temple complex also houses a library, and an art and heritage section where one can learn deeper about Indian cultural heritage through events and programs held there. Sri Venkateshwara Temple of Novi also enshrines the idols of Sri Ganesha, Sri Hanuman, and Goddess Lakshmi.

The Hindu Temple of Canton

Established in 1990, the Hindu Temple of Canton is one of the most beautiful and serene temples in Michigan. Unlike most temples in America, this temple does not have any presiding deity. Landscaped with well-manicured gardens, the temple complex houses the shrines of Lord Krisha and Radha; Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati; Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, Lord Hanuman; Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesh; and Lord Balaji with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

The Hindu Temple of Canton in Michigan is more than a mandir with a spacious multipurpose hall, a grand prayer hall, a kitchen, a guest room, a library, a dining area, and a gift shop. The multipurpose hall can accommodate over 600 devotees together, and the main prayer hall has the seating capacity for nearly 1000 devotees. There is prasad distribution area too. There is a parking lot with space for nearly 130 vehicles at a time.

Other than hosting religious and community events, the temple offers an educational scholarship program to three eligible graduating seniors among the registered members of the temple. The scholarship application form can be downloaded from the temple website. All Hindu festivals are celebrated with equal enthusiasm at the temple nourishing the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indian immigrants.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Detroit

The grand Akshardham Mandirs in different parts of USA shine as icons of India’s cultural and architectural heritage and Detroit’s Swaminarayan Mandir is no different. It is among the most-visited temples in Michigan, with visitors from all far ends of the state. Inaugurated in 2015, the temple is more than just a place of worship for Hindus. It serves as a philosophical and spiritual learning center for anyone interested in Hindu way of life. The place is imbued with a divine aura that can mystify anyone. Apart from the cultural and spiritual programs, BAPS Swaminarayan temple also hosts a variety of charitable acts to bring various communities together to take part in the acts of seva (service).

Devi Parashakthi Temple, Pontiac 

Indian immigrants of Michigan visit Devi Parashakthi Temple in Pontiac to seek the blessings of Shiva Shakti. Built in 1999, the temple is dedicated to Parashakti Karumari Ambika and one of the Shanmatha tirthas (pilgrimage sites) in the West. Shanmatha refers to the Smart tradition aligned with Adi Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta philosophy. The Smarta tradition is known for the worship of five shrines with five deities – Shiva, Shakti, Ganesha, Vishnu, and Surya.

Parashakti Karumari Amman, the presiding deity of Michigan’s Devi Parashakti Temple, is commonly worshiped in Tamil Nadu villages around Chennai. The temple architecture is inspired by the Dravidian style of temple architecture prominent in South India. sprawling across 16 acres of forested land in the heart of Pontiac MI, the temple has a Navagraha mandapam where devotees offer prayers to the nine celestial planets in the solar system.

Annadanam is one of the humanitarian rituals practiced at the temple where a huge kitchen and a big multipurpose hall were recently built as part of the expansion plans. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, Lord Hanuman, Sri Bala Murugan, Sri Radha Krishna, Lord Jagannath, Lord Venkateshwara Swami, Shiva Lingam, Lord Kubera, and Sri Astha Lakshmi at the temple.

This article is part of the series, Indian Life in America, by Travel Beats, a leading community portal for Indian Diaspora. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of IndianEagle.com that thousands of Indians in USA have chosen as their reliable travel-booking partner for international trips. Subscribe to our newsletter for community stories, US-India travel news, visa and immigration updates.

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The United States is home to not only the growing community of Indian immigrants but also their revered deities. For the first time, the world’s oldest democracy will witness the rare confluence of Buddhist values, equality message, spiritual teachings, and Indian history at one place near the White House, with the scheduled unveiling of Dr BR Ambedkar’s 19ft statue in Maryland on October 14. Termed as the Statue of Equality, the Ambedkar statue will democratize the nation further by sharing space with the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Freedom in the northeast US.

The world’s largest Ambedkar statue outside India is the center of attraction in the upcoming Dr Ambedkar Memorial complex spread over 13 acres in Accokeek City of Maryland, about 20 miles from Washington DC. To be built for $1.5 million, that is a mere 1% of the total cost of the world’s largest BAPS Akshardham Temple, the Ambedkar Memorial will memorialize the Indian visionary of the modern world and spread his ideals on the American soil, where many Indian immigrants including Kala Bagai have been subjected to racism.

PC: Ambedkarinternationalcenter.org

A beacon of equality in the land of the American Dream, the statue of Ambedkar in Maryland depicts Babasaheb holding the Indian Constitution in his left hand. It is designed by India’s renowned sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar who breathed life into the world’s tallest Statue of Unity in Gujarat and India’s tallest statue of Ambedkar (108 feet) in Hyderabad, Telangana. The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee also sculpted the 108-ft tall statue of Kempe Gowda at BLR International Airport, among 90+ sculptures in India, the US, France, Italy, Russia and other countries.

Other than the Statue of Equality to be unveiled in Maryland this October 14, the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial will feature Buddhist sculptures, a memorial hall, a residential center, a library, fountains, beautiful gardens, and a souvenir shop among the facilities and attractions celebrating the father of the Indian Constitution. If things fall in place as planned, the project will be completed in 2025.

Among the highlights of the Ambedkar Memorial near Washington DC is Buddha Garden featuring a 6ft Buddha statue as the Symbol of Peace and Humanity. The statue made of white marble will be seated against a replica of Sanchi Stupa. Buddha Garden, also known as the Garden of Enlightenment, will be adorned with sculptures, statues, and murals mirroring the Buddhist art and architecture. The garden will be landscaped with rocks whereon the spiritual lessons of Lord Buddha and Dr. Ambedkar’s inspirational quotes will be engraved.

Another attraction is a replica of the Ashoka Pillar harking back to the Mauryan era when propagation of the Buddhist ideology reached its zenith in India and abroad. A mile-long ‘wisdom trail’ meandering through the Garden of Enlightenment and featuring statues of spiritual reformers on both sides will take visitors on an enlightening walk. Nalanda Library, among the state-of-the-art facilities, will be designed as a treasure of Buddhist literary works and Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thought-provoking works for research enthusiasts from across the world.

In Maryland’s Dr Ambedkar Memorial, the main building spanning 3000 sq. ft will house innovative exhibits related to the life of Babasaheb, one of the founding fathers of India. Equipped with massive display screens and advanced sound systems for presentations, the building can accommodate 150 members during a conference or event. The memorial is envisaged as a ‘center for social change initiatives, learnings, cultural and economic developments, conferences, celebrations, and the propagation of Ambedkar’s philosophy throughout the United States’.

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Hundreds of thousands of Indian immigrants’ spiritual heritage and deep-rooted divine faith have finally taken shape as America’s largest Hindu temple, BAPS Akshardham Mandir in New Jersey. After 12 long years of intensive construction in five phases, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple of Robbinsville NJ will be ceremonially inaugurated on October 8 under the auspices of Mahant Swami Maharaj and in the presence of prominent Indian American community leaders. However, the temple will welcome visitors from October 18, the fourth day of Navaratri 2023.

Sprawling across over 180 acres in Robbinsville, BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir is said to be next to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat Temple Complex in size and area. It may continue to be the world’s second largest temple until the Mayapur Temple of Vedic Planetarium is inaugurated in 2024. Incepted in 2010 under the supervision of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the New Jersey Indian temple, though incomplete then, opened its door to devotees first in 2014.

PC: BAPS.org

The making of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple Robbinsville was a marathon spanning 12 years and involving nearly 13,000 volunteers from across the USA. The monumental construction thousands of miles away from India was a multifaced process that ran from Europe to India to the US. Made of chiseled Italian marbles sourced from different parts of Europe and hand-carved in Rajasthan, the temple is bigger and higher than the Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi.

One of the interesting facts about the world’s largest Akshardham Temple in New Jersey is that as many as 2000 craftsmen in Rajasthan hand-carved the marble stones from Europe into beautiful pieces of art with chisels and hammers; the pieces were assembled twice. The marble pieces were assembled in India first to check if they would fit accurately and then, they were subsequently numbered. They were finally organized and assembled in the US, according to their numbers.

Undeniably, it was quite challenging to transport the two million cubic feet of marble stones 21,500 miles from Europe to India and then to America.

Needless to say, the temple is an aesthetically wonderful edifice both outside and inside in its complete form. It is encased with a colossal mandap for external protection. The 135-ft wide mandap with delicate engravings on the pillars stands 55 feet tall. The main gate of the mandap, called Mayur Dwar, is a major attraction of the temple. Robbinsville Swaminarayan Temple’s Mayur Dwar is meticulously adorned with 236 sculptures, including peacocks, elephants, monks and devotees carved out of marble.

Mayur Dwar (PC: BAPS.org)

“The sculptural beauty of the Mayur Dwar will leave you in awe of the artisans who achieved this rare feat in the 21^st century. It captures the cultural zeitgeist of the pre-Sultanate era when the Dravidian temple architecture known for intricate designs and intensive wall carvings had flourished,” said Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats, a one-stop community portals for Indians in America.

The mandap comprises a grand prayer hall which is spacious enough to accommodate more than 1000 people at a time. Among the breathtaking features of New Jersey’s BAPS Akshardham Mandir are two heavily ornate domes, unique to India’s traditional stone architecture, which are designed to last a thousand years. There are one main shrine, 12 sub-shrines, 9 shikhars, and 9 pyramidal shikhars in the temple complex.

Every bit of the United Sates’ largest BAPS Swaminarayan Temple design is eloquent enough to tell a story. A whopping 10,000 sculptures and figurines of India’s age-old musical instruments, classical dance forms, and epic characters on pillars, panels, walls and ceilings depict stories of ancient Bharat and the Hindu scriptures. The prayer halls are dotted with life-size idols of saints and sages among India’s spiritual leaders.

An interface between the architectural styles of north and south Indian temples, the Akshardham Mandir of Robbinsville NJ houses a world-class research institute. Inaugurated in June 2022, the institute is “the first such center of learning and research of Indian languages and Hindu scriptures in the Swaminarayan tradition in the United States”, with the goal of promoting the highest level of academic excellence in all disciplines of study. The other facilities available within the temple complex include a rest house, a food court, and a visitors’ center housing exhibits related to Indian culture as well as history.

Ornate dome in the ceiling of the grand prayer hall (PC: BAPS.org)

Like many ancient temples across India, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir has Brahma Kund (a sacred stepwell) at its Robbinsville site in the northeast US. Interestingly, the water of the kund has been collected from more than 300 natural sources of water from around the world, including the holy rivers of India and the water bodies in 50 US states.

A one hour drive from Newark, this largest Hindu temple in the US would not have become a reality without the craftsmen and 13000 volunteers of all ages, who generously spent 5 million man hours on making such a complex, colossal masterpiece. Indians from New Jersey and other states came forward to devote their time in all possible ways, including preparing food for the artisans, cleaning up the construction site, etc. Evidently, the temple is an emblem of oneness and harmony among them. On completion of the construction, the total cost of Robbinsville BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, New Jersey may have gone up to more than $150 million.

This article is a part of the series – Hidden Gems of America – by Indian Eagle, a most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in the USA. Travel Beats, a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, is a one-stop portal for stories of Indian immigrants, US-India travel news, and US visa & immigration updates.

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India is touching dizzying heights in both science and spirituality. On one hand, the country’s space ambitions have skyrocketed to the Moon. On the other hand, the country’s spiritual legacy is flying high in the form of sky-kissing statues of saints and sages. After Telangana homed the Statue of Equality and the 120-kg gold idol of the 11^th century saint Sri Ramanuja on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh unveiled the Statue of Oneness as a monumental homage to saint Adi Shankaracharya on 21 September.

PC: Ekatma Dham

Omkareshwar where the heart of India beats with the chanting of Om Namah Shivaya is home to the newly built Statue of Oneness named Ekatmata Ki Pratima. Sitting atop Mandhata Hill at a distance of 12 miles from the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple, the 108-ft statue of Adi Shankaracharya is a new landmark on the tourism map of Madhya Pradesh. The beauty of the Narmada River that backdrops Mandhata Hill adds to the serene ambience around the towering monument.

Built at a whopping cost of Rs 2141 crore, the Statue of Oneness is made of bronze alloy and designed to last more than 500 years. The gigantic statue depicts the 8^th century saint in a walking posture, symbolic of his travels on foot in quest of the liberating knowledge of Atman Brahman (self-identity) across the lengths and breadths of Bharat. Born in Kerala, Adi Shankara had left home and mortal relations behind at a tender age; hence, the statue mirrors Adi Shankara as a 12-year-old boy.

Dedicated to the life, philosophy and profound teachings of Acharya Shankara, the Ekatmata ki Pratima in Omkareshwar stands tall on a 27ft high lotus-shaped base made of stone. The mammoth sculpture rests on a massive pedestal rising 54 feet above the ground. The area surrounding the statue is being developed as Ekatma Dham (State of Oneness), a beacon of unity and harmony, oneness and non-dualism.

Ekatma Dham will become a one-stop hub for the study of Advaita Vedanta in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh where his epic journey to attaining spiritual enlightenment had begun. Ekatma Dham will have the Advaita Lok museum wherein an exclusive collection of exhibits would showcase the message of Advaita Vedanta propagated by Adi Shankaracharya. The Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita Vedanta coming up in Ekatma Dham will take the shape of a research and resource center for those studying the timeless teachings of the saint.

Ekatma Dham, a global center for oneness and harmony in Omkareshwar, will also house a sprawling 36-acre forest called Advaita Forest to support various sustainable development projects. A theatre, a library, a Vedanta interpretation center, a laser-and-sound show, and a nididhyasana kendra are also on the cards. The Statue of Oneness and Ekatma Dham will offer an immersive experience of non-dualism and spiritual wisdom.

One of the interesting facts about the Shankaracharya Statue of Oneness is that the people of more than 23,000 villages across Madhya Pradesh contributed metal for the monument, signifying their adherence to Acharya Shankara’s principles of unity and harmony, irrespective of their caste, religion, and socio-economic status.

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