
What has 98 hand carved marble pillars, 91 elephants and 236 peacocks? The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Religious Center in Robbinsville NJ. This modern marvel sits on 162 acres and was largely created by over 2000 artisans in Rajasthan India who hand crafted the temples from Italian and Rajasthan marble.
The temples are enclosed to protect them from the sometimes harsh elements on the East coast. But that doesn’t keep them from being any less spectacular, in part because of the 4 large skylights from Crystal Structures.
The skylights are positioned to allow daylight to stream down at the front (20′ x 48′) and along the side (19′ x 71′) of the great temple. The light adds to the dramatic effect of the marble temple exterior and accents the gold adornments. In the visitors center another pyramid shaped skylight (18′ x 18′) greets site seers and worshipers while yet another skylight (32′ x 32′) was placed over the food court where everyone is treated to special foods from India.
As one of the only stone “mandirs” in North America, the BAPS temples are simply amazing and certainly worth a visit. Crystal Structures was honored to be a part of such an awe inspiring project.
Architect: Paulus Sokolowski & Sartor Architecture Inc.
Contractor: Sachi Contractors
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