Today we will go to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey, which is the second largest in the world and the largest in the United States. The marble materials of the building were first carved by hundreds of craftsmen in India, then shipped to the United States and installed and constructed by more than 10,000 volunteers. The magnificent architecture, exquisite and gorgeous carvings, and the quiet and mysterious atmosphere are very exotic. Afterwards, go to the Grounds For Sculpture, which has a large number of modernist sculptures and carefully manicured landscapes. The founder Seward Johnson said that he hopes that the sculpture park can "let people around the world feel the emotional nourishment brought by the powerful and beneficial connection between art and nature." You can also find the commonality between nature and art here. Finally, return to New York.
New York → BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (2 hours) → Grounds For Sculpture (optional, 2.5 hours) → New York
【BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville】
The Mandir, built in the Nagaradi style, stands 42 feet tall, 133 feet long and 87 feet wide and is made entirely of Italian Carrara marble (68000 cubic feet); only the third Mandir of its kind. The beautiful carvings seen around the Mandir are not only aesthetically appealing, but are also meaningful in many ways. For example, 98 pillars depict the lives of the great paramhansas (spiritual aspirants) and devotees of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Their inspiring stories, as well as Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s key messages are incorporated throughout the Mandir.
【Grounds For Sculpture】
The Garden For Sculpture (GFS) is a 42-acre facility located in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. It is located on the former site of the Trenton Raceway. Founded in 1992 by John Seward Johnson II, the facility is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of contemporary sculpture by organizing exhibitions, publishing catalogs, and offering a variety of educational programs and special community events. Works by more than 700 artists have been exhibited here, and the museum houses sculptures by 150 artists. The Garden For Sculpture (GFS) is a museum, sculpture garden, and botanical garden where art and nature blend seamlessly to create a place where you can experience art.