Members of the Indian community say the Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey has emerged as a powerful symbol of the growing influence of Indian-Americans in the US, reflecting their economic, cultural and political influence.
< p style="text-align: justify;">The long journey of this largest Hindu temple in America is a reflection of how the Indian community has grown stronger in the country and has also become a significant force in the crucial US presidential election. People from the Indian community gathered in Akshardham temple throughout the week for Diwali celebrations. New Jersey resident Swati Patel, who frequently volunteers at the BAPS temple, said it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to vote in the presidential election.
Swati Patel said, ‘I think the Indian community is influential. Now we can see some South Asian representation in local government and everywhere else. I think the most important part is just to vote in the elections. It is a great pleasure to be born and raised in America and to be able to vote here.’
He said, ‘In my childhood, my father used to take me to the polling booth. No matter which election it is, we should just exercise this right. This is the way to raise our voice. Vinod Patel, who has been associated with BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham for several decades, said that the Hindu community has taken small steps to shape its members as a unit.
He said, ‘When we started 50 years ago, there were very few Hindus or Indians. The atmosphere of Diwali was different at that time, it was about meeting each other and thinking about how we will celebrate this festival in India… There has been increased solidarity among Hindus and the influence of the Indian community has increased significantly. For example, if you look at the world of technology today, there are Indian CEOs in big companies. At that time such a thing was unheard of. Akshardham Temple, spread over 220 acres in Robbinsville, is a testament to the architectural and cultural heritage of India.
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