Fireworks for the opening ceremony of the Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. AFP
Fireworks for the opening ceremony of the Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. AFP
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the temple. AFP
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the temple. AFP
The central sanctum is lit up during the ceremony. AFP
The central sanctum is lit up during the ceremony. AFP
Mahant Swami Maharaj watches the dancers perform at the Akshardham temple. AFP
Mahant Swami Maharaj watches the dancers perform at the Akshardham temple. AFP
A dancer watches during the opening ceremony. AFP
A dancer watches during the opening ceremony. AFP
The temple illuminated during its opening ceremony. AFP
The temple illuminated during its opening ceremony. AFP
Volunteers make preparations before the ceremony. AFP
Volunteers make preparations before the ceremony. AFP
The Akshardham is the world's largest Hindu temple outside India. AFP
The Akshardham is the world's largest Hindu temple outside India. AFP
AFP
AFP
Inside the temple's garland-like path, or parikrama, an ornate covered walkway. AP
Inside the temple's garland-like path, or parikrama, an ornate covered walkway. AP
The Nilkanth Varni sculpture stands in the plaza at the Akshadham temple. AFP
The Nilkanth Varni sculpture stands in the plaza at the Akshadham temple. AFP
The temple took more than 10 years to build and spans more than 74 hectares. AFP
The temple took more than 10 years to build and spans more than 74 hectares. AFP
The central sanctum of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. AFP
The central sanctum of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. AFP
The ceiling of the temple. AFP
The ceiling of the temple. AFP
The temple took more than 10 years to build. AFP
The temple took more than 10 years to build. AFP
Thousands of statues adorn the Akshadham temple. AFP
Thousands of statues adorn the Akshadham temple. AFP
The ceiling of the sanctum. AFP
The ceiling of the sanctum. AFP
The Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple outside of Asia. AFP
The Akshardham is the largest Hindu temple outside of Asia. AFP
A monk walks inside the temple before the opening. AFP
A monk walks inside the temple before the opening. AFP
The Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. AFP
The Baps Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey. AFP

Hindu temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey - in pictures