NYC Day Trip: A Stunning Hindu Temple 🛕

Located ~1.5 hrs from NYC, 50 mins from Philly — advance tickets recommended. 🏛️ Grand Scale & Craftsmanship Covers 183 acres, with nearly 10,000 carvings & reliefs Built over 12 years by 12,500+ volunteers (millions of hours!) Features ~2 million cubic ft of stone, pre-carved in India & assembled in the US ✨ 📸 What to See Main Mandir — intricate pillars, domes & carvings (animals, myths, nature) Symmetrical Gardens — photogenic, best light in morning/evening Cultural Exhibits — learn about Swaminarayan faith & Hindu culture 🦁 Animal Symbolism Elephant 🐘 = wisdom | Lion 🦁 = courage | Horse 🐎 = action Cow 🐄 = compassion | Snake 🐍 = energy | Swan 🦢 = spirit | Monkey 🐒 = devotion 📌 Tips Dress modestly (cover shoulders/knees) Remove shoes inside main hall No indoor photos (outdoors allowed) Nearby Indian vegetarian & American dining options 🚗 Close to Princeton University (~20 mins) & Trenton, NJ (~30 mins) A serene, awe-inspiring escape from the city — perfect for a mindful day trip! 🙏 #NYC #DayTrip #HinduTemple #NJTravel #CulturalTravel #ArchitectureLovers