BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville — Attraction in Robbinsville Township

BAPS Temple: A Journey Through Art, Culture, and Peace I have visited the BAPS Temple several times, but on my most recent visit, I was in awe of how the space has evolved. The newly completed structures add a grandiosity and serenity that elevate the entire experience. The entrance itself is grand, featuring an incredible statue that towers above, representing the essence of Swaminarayan’s life and teachings. The statue stands tall in its majesty, welcoming visitors with writings and stories from his life, which are awe-inspiring. Right beside the statue, there’s a detailed map of India that marks all the temples he walked and visited—it's a humbling sight to see. The intricate fountains and gentle lighting in the area create a very soothing and reflective atmosphere. Once inside, we explored the small temple that was initially built, and even that structure is nothing short of stunning. Completely made from marble, with heated floors, the attention to detail is incredible. The sculptures—whether on pillars, ceilings, or walls—are a testament to skilled craftsmanship. Every minute feature, from the eyes to the fingernails of the carved figures, has been created with such precision that you can't help but admire the effort and care poured into each piece. Moving to the main temple, which is now completed, the scale is magnificent. You’re greeted with towering white marble that glistens as the sun sets, casting an ethereal glow over the temple complex. As night falls, the temple takes on a serene, glowing beauty that’s enhanced by the well-thought-out lighting. Speaking of the outdoor surroundings, the fountains, statues, and lush landscaping at night are beautifully lit, making for a perfect backdrop to a peaceful walk. The photo we took beside the flowers and fountains captures this ambiance well. It’s a sight that sticks with you long after you leave. After a spiritual and visual treat, we headed to the cafeteria, which was also a part of the experience. The cafeteria is spacious, nicely decorated, and extremely clean, maintaining the same level of care as the temple. However, we did find it a little on the expensive side for temple food. The menu consists of dishes adhering to the Swaminarayan diet (no onion, no garlic), which adds a unique touch to every dish. We tried a variety of items, and here are my thoughts: • Veggie Pizza: A flavorful and fresh offering that brought comfort in every bite. • Pesto Sandwich: This was a standout! The fresh pesto gave it a deliciously rich flavor. • French Fries: Simple but well-made, crispy and seasoned just right. • Dabeli: An okay dish, though it didn't quite meet expectations. It could use a bit more punch in flavor. • Double ka Meetha: Expecting a traditional dessert, we were surprised to find it was a rasgulla. While tasty, it wasn’t what we had anticipated. • South Indian Coffee: A rich and robust coffee, perfect to round out the meal. All in all, the food was tasty, but the slightly higher prices stood out, especially since it’s part of a...

Wow wow wow wow wow. I am absolutely blown away by my experience here today. I have been to many places around the world and this has to have been one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s such a peaceful and emotional experience. The architecture was mesmerizing. I have a very deep appreciation for Hinduism, its devotional practices, cultural richness and philosophical depth. It was so interesting learning about Bhagwan Swaminarayan. I highly highly HIGHLY recommend going here. I will be back and I will tell everyone I know about it. I am so grateful for this beautiful experience. It’s just such a happy place to be.

Some tips that I didn’t know before going that could be useful to others:

Strollers are accepted throughout the entire experience, except in the 2 worship areas. There are spaces to leave your stroller before entering.

I used my baby carrier, which was nice when walking through the areas I couldn’t use a stroller, but honestly, it was tiring having to carry my baby the entire trip. From the time you park your car to the time you leave, you’re spending more time outside of the worship areas, so next time I’ll bring my stroller.

I parked my car and then took a shuttle to the Temple. It was super fast and easy. Literally everything was fast and easy, even though it was crowded from the moment I got there, since I went on a Saturday.

You will spend a lot of time outdoors!

There is no shoes allowed in the worship areas, so bring socks if you prefer, but they aren’t necessary.

There is a sit down area in the cafe with highchairs!!

There’s also a water fountain in the worship areas to refill your water bottles ☺️

PLEASE VISIT THIS TEMPLE. It’s the absolute best experience I’ve had in a while. I want to go back tomorrow! Thank you so much to the staff and everyone who’s a part of this wonderful place.

PS: You must make a reservation on the weekends and you MUST dress modestly! They offer you a garment to cover yourself before you go in if you are not dressed appropriately and they are very kind about it too. No shame, just welcoming and acceptance throughout this entire place! HOWEVER, I will say that everyone should already be showing up with their skin covered, and without tight clothing. Please respect this beautiful Temple.

Also, everything was extremely organized. I was...

Had the pleasure of visiting the temple back in 2022, when it was still unfinished, and finally I revisited it during navratri 2024, and I have no words to describe the beauty, the incredible architecture, cleanliness, and serenity of this temple🛕

Everything is amazingly managed by their volunteers who are friendly, approachable and will guide you through this amazing experience. The interiors, the decor, the carvings, idols, everything is magnificent 🤌🏼

I love that this temple is open to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds, and everyone respects the culture as much. Their cafeteria serves authentic vegetarian Indian cuisine that are cooked and sanctified by the hardworking women 🫡 everything is so delicious- we tried their uttapam, khichu, samosa chaat, filter coffee and paneer tikka pizza 🍕 it was filling and delicious.

Their gift shop is huge with a variety of BAPS own home products that I’ve never seen at any other BAPS temple before. We bought a couple of dietary supplements- made from Ayurvedic plants and herbs, we also bought a few incense sticks which smells beautiful 🙏🏼

They have a store to buy snacks- we got the karela (bitter gourd) khakra 🤤 and let me tell you how good they taste with chai 👌 we also got some Indian desserts from their store. Everything is delicious and made from scratch with good quality ingredients.

The sunset, and the way the temple lights up in the evening is stunning 🤩 it’s a sight to behold. The fountains, the gardens, the main temple, everything lights up in different colors.

I loved every minute spent at this temple for its amazing architecture, history, and everything this place offers.

Just FYI- dress up according to the rules of visiting a religious place- no bare shoulders for men or women, no shorts or skirts, if you wear any of these you will be asked to cover up the exposed areas with their clothes (a wrap around) they provide upon entering.

This place is beautiful, and you must visit if you are...