New Jersey, August 24: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham during his historic trip to the United States. He described it as a powerful global symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage, community service, and the dedication of its volunteers.
The saints of BAPS warmly welcomed Chief Minister Patel, who was accompanied by a delegation of senior officials from the Gujarat government, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department, Principal Secretary Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, and Secretary Vikrant Pandey.
During a special tour of the under-construction Akshardham Museum, the Chief Minister learned that this museum, dedicated to Indian heritage, will be one of the first Hindu cultural museums of its kind in America. It will showcase India’s glorious heritage through 12 architectural replicas, 40 multimedia presentations, 85 impressive dioramas, and 200 lifelike statues.
He stated that this museum will connect people of all ages and backgrounds with universal ideals such as faith, harmony, compassion, family values, and selfless service.
The Chief Minister was deeply impressed by the intricate carvings, grand scale, and serene spiritual atmosphere of the temple. While touring the museum, he remarked, “You have revived India’s ancient culture.”
Chief Minister Patel also met with the volunteers serving at Akshardham, praising their discipline, humility, hospitality, and spirit of service. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all BAPS volunteers who contributed to the construction of Akshardham, stating, “This place will inspire generations to come. Every person from any corner of the world will experience peace here.”
This visit was part of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative and marked the first trip to America by a Gujarat Chief Minister in nearly three decades. Regarding his experience at Akshardham, Patel noted that while the focus of his visit was ‘Vibrant Gujarat,’ the culture of India itself is vividly ‘Vibrant’ at Akshardham—a remarkable confluence of culture, art, spirituality, and eternal values.
Representatives and community leaders from various regions of the United States welcomed Chief Minister Patel. This trip highlighted BAPS’s global contributions to the preservation of India’s cultural heritage and its service to society through temples, education, humanitarian relief, healthcare, environmental awareness, youth development, and cultural activities.
In a post on the social media platform X, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel shared that visiting the magnificent BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Jersey was an inspiring and spiritually uplifting experience. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the esteemed saints there. Akshardham beautifully showcases the grandeur of Indian art, spirituality, and humanitarian values on a global stage.
He further stated that he feels proud to see our vibrant Indian community abroad keeping alive India’s spiritual traditions and cultural roots. He prayed for the peace, welfare, and progress of all.
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