Day Trip to the Largest Hindu Temple in the USA!

Second in size only to the ancient world-famous Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia, the “BAPS” temple in NJ is a modern marvel as the largest Hindu Temple in the USA.  With 10,000 statues, statuettes, and carved motifs of Indian music + dance forms PLUS 13 shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities, there is much to admire and to astonish the senses. 

Between 2011 and 2023, over 12,500 people volunteered to build the mandir (temple), encompassing a Welcome center, the Shayona vegetarian café, a research institute, a museum and an event center. The volunteers came from various backgrounds which included students, business executives, physicians, and architects. 

At the inauguration, Delaware governor John Carney said, “I was struck by what Swami said — that the temple is a bridge, a bridge from the past to the future; a bridge from one community to the next. It is an incredible place of devotion.” The inaugural ceremony was split over 9 days, each day celebrated aspects of the mandir or the values it represents. Daily themes included celebrating Indian culture, non-violence, women’s contributions to society, interfaith harmony, and community day. 

The temple was built using 68,000 cubic feet of Italian Carrara marble. The marble was obtained from quarries in Europe and was shipped to Rajasthan, India where hundreds of artisans carved the stones. After the finished pieces of stone were assembled in workshops, engineers sequentially numbered the pieces and shipped them to NJ. Upon their arrival, the pieces were organized using the numbering system to facilitate the mandir’s construction. The cost of construction has been estimated at $96 million dollars.

We will learn more about this remarkable monument, as a group tour with a guide has been arranged for us.  Following the tour, you are free to have lunch at the café, visit the Welcome center, and explore the extensive grounds.  

Dress code

Shoulders, chest area, and knees must be covered. Modesty is key. Be prepared to remove your shoes indoors — bring socks.

We will have a full 5 hours to explore the temple inside and outside, have lunch, and take advantage of  everything there is to see without being rushed.

Transportation

We will take a modern comfortable motorcoach with a professional driver. It is equipped with a restroom, free WiFi, electrical outlets for charging personal electronic devices, climate control, music and a DVD system.  Sit back, relax and enjoy the company of kindred spirits!

Meet at the ParknRide near Central Park in Doylestown.  You may park your car there.

Location: 331 New Britain Rd, Doylestown PA.  Meet at 8:30am sharp! 

Cost

$65 includes round trip transportation, driver gratuity and temple tour. Lunch on your own.