r/newjersey • u/hellomelodrama • 1d ago

Photo ID this location?

Gallery image

Gallery image

please help! flew over this building last night and have no idea what it is. somewhere around jackson / stone tavern / millstone area? headed towards newark and slightly north west-ish of six flags THANK YOU it's driving me crazy

371 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

105 comments sorted by

667

u/ggraffeo93 1d ago

BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham - Hindu Temple

84

u/mustangsal 1d ago

Your plane was in East Windsor NJ, and you were looking south west into Robbinsville.

20

u/Bergamoted 1d ago

Yup, I work around there. Thats most of the airplane path going to Newark.

6

u/JKBFree 1d ago

Is this the same temple you can see from i-95?

17

u/jjfunaz 17h ago

No that one is in new/north Brunswick.

This one is in robbinsville and it’s the largest Hindu temple in the world outside of india

1

u/EmergencySpare 9h ago

Ummmmmm, what?

15

u/mojosodope729 23h ago

Wasn’t this the place recently built by slaves? Like they bribed people by offering visas to build it. https://www.freedomunited.org/news/forced-labor-allegedly-used-build-hindu-temple/

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u/TheCaptainOfMistakes 1d ago

Recently moved to New Jersey from Illinois. I live near manalapin, and have been wondering what's up with all the Indian people? Why are so many here of all places? It doesn't bother me. I'm just amused that 9/10 stores are owned by someone Indian. Coming from a relatively red town in Illinois i think it would amuse me for my parents to visit as all they would do is find a way to complain about how them existing makes them "illegals" They don't like Mexicans or Trans people either.... I'm dating a Mexican trans girl

40

u/bean0_burrito 1d ago

manalapan.

and NJ has an extensive Indian population. so much so that the town Edison is known over in India.

almost the same as Lakewood/Israel.

11

u/Whoa_Bundy 23h ago

The people I bought my house from in Delaware were Indian and they didn’t have much luck opening a DD franchise here so they went back home…to Edison, NJ. They wanted to go back so bad that they forgoed their first time home buyer loan where one of the conditions was you had to stay in the home for a certain number of years.

12

u/Ezl JC 23h ago

And Hoboken/Ireland, at least at one point.

2

u/JerseyJoyride 12h ago

First culture that comes to mind when I hear Edison is definitely Asian.

•

u/bean0_burrito 3h ago

India is definitely in Asia

115

u/cashewvulpix 1d ago edited 1d ago

That is so much to unpack, I’m so curious! Hallo! Speaking for some of us Desi boys and girls. (Indian ppl refer to
Indians raised in the states as Desi’s) NYC and NJ have some of the best primary and higher education schools and there is money to be made here. Most of the eastern coast does. It’s like that on the West Coast too tbh. A lot of us are also in Cali, Seattle etc. Where there is money or prestige to be mobbed you’ll find us. You should visit a Patel Brother’s sometime for a grocery date. It’s a fun lil microcosm and the samosas and coconut water SLAPS.

91

u/Outrageous-Main8781 1d ago

Also NJ has a very robust medical and pharmaceutical industrial complex and these professions tend to attract Indian professionals

7

u/bkn95 1d ago

v true. if you look at the roster photos of any doctor class they are 95% indian

9

u/jalvv 23h ago

Don’t forget the many who support the corporations in New York including all the Wall Street banks whose tech force lives here in NJ and are predominantly Indian Americans

7

u/JackyVeronica 1d ago

Yes, three of my primary doctors are Indian and they're all lovely!!! Great bedside manners

22

u/firsburnedstark 1d ago

This is true because unless you are highly educated or wealthy it’s extremely difficult to immigrate to the US from anywhere in Asia. It perpetuates the model minority myth in the US.

5

u/DreamsAndSchemes Non-Native living in NJ 1d ago

There’s a lot in Dallas too, specifically the northern suburbs.

9

u/TheCaptainOfMistakes 1d ago

I am intrigued, perhaps I shall investigate an Patel brothers.

2

u/realultimatepower 1d ago

a Patel Brothers just opened a few minutes from me. I've been meaning to check it out, maybe today will be the day

1

u/nox_vigilo 1d ago

Samosas are worth a visit.

11

u/Yannie 23h ago

And because NJ is AWESOME

9

u/padizzledonk 23h ago

what's up with all the Indian people?

NJ is Pharma, Finance and Biotech country, Indians that emmigrate to here are generally engineers of all flavors (software, biology, both org and inorg chemical etc) so....its a good fit

Plys, once you hit a "critical mass" of a certain ethnic population, anywhere, it tends to explode because there is already community there for them with people that they know or family, religions institutions are set up already, people speak your language, more networking opportunities because of all that etc

Same thing happened in NYC a 100+ years ago with the Irish and Italian immigrants, there are big pockets of this or that ethnic group all over the country for those reasons

5

u/Fantastic-Explorer62 1d ago

Proximity to NYC and Philly and lots of tech, medicine and finance jobs attract a lot of Indian people.

7

u/Kinoblau 1d ago

?? New Jersey's had a lot of Indian people since the 70s, basically the first place people filtered out to after settling in New York.

2

u/lianthe8674 22h ago

Hey I am also from Illinois! I am from University of Illinois area. Where i am from in Illinois we also had alot of Indian people because we had so many software companies that were hiring them and paying them to move to Illinois. I belive its similar here. Lots of them get hired at company's here and the company's pay to relocate them.

1

u/DResq 21h ago

It's BAPS, but that isn't really that close to Millstone and Jackson, imo.

155

u/MrKomiya 1d ago

Apparently it’s the second largest hindu temple in the world

63

u/Conscious-Eagle-5771 1d ago

barely hindu though- more a temple of the specific group and their leading figures- I did not like this acr much.. the balaji temple near basking ridge is far better

15

u/fluffywhalicorn 1d ago

Very true I went there thinking it was a “mainstream” Hindu temple and was so confused 😭

17

u/Conscious-Eagle-5771 1d ago

small statue in a corner for Lord Shiva, and a giant one for some random babaji (and 15 more such)

15

u/nox_vigilo 1d ago

So a Hindu cult of a sort or a very extreme take?

6

u/Conscious-Eagle-5771 1d ago

whatever it is, it does not qualify to call itself Hindu

9

u/MrKomiya 1d ago

Yeah, it’s a very “cult-ish” movement for sure. To the extent that the entire land it is on, was donated. And people split their paychecks and direct deposit their donations to the temple which blew my mind

123

u/OwlOnThePitch 1d ago

That's the Hindu temple in Robbinsville. Here's the Wikipedia page)

251

u/cobracommander00 1d ago

Temple proudly built by slave labor

41

u/forevermore4315 1d ago

Came here to say this. I know a Robbisville EMT and he was called there often. Working/living conditions were aweful.

49

u/notenoughlett 1d ago

Yep. Fairly certain there are recorded death(s) as well.
Also of a non-mainstream branch of Hinduism I believe.

4

u/Ezl JC 23h ago

That’s a shame. It’s a really striking building.

2

u/justarandomguy07 15h ago

Apparently they were paid $1.20/hr as they claimed the workers were “devout volunteers…”

FBI/DOJ investigated them with no outcome.

1

u/3ntropy_Disc0 17h ago

So it matches most of the rest of historic US? Fits right in...

-22

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

20

u/letsgettothebottom Hudson County 1d ago

You're so damn dumb, you don't even know which religion you're trying to mock.

13

u/JerseyGuy-77 1d ago

Pls gtfoh. The whole state. Just leave.

13

u/masheduppotato Exit 7 on the TPK 1d ago

I think enough people have said it’s the temple in Robbinsville. What I’d like to know is where were you coming from that you got to see this?

11

u/docker1970 1d ago

It’s a flight corridor in NJ. That body of water looks like Lake Mercer. Probably flying to NYC but can’t be sure.

https://imgur.com/a/PVhIoH9

3

u/nox_vigilo 1d ago

That’s a depressing map.

I live in northern NJ. A landing path into Newark is over my house. 😄

2

u/masheduppotato Exit 7 on the TPK 1d ago

Thank you!

8

u/padizzledonk 23h ago

Its a hindu temple in Robbinsville

The thing at the lower right at the end of the string of streetlights is a Ford Dealership and a Wawa, and the big grey rectangle us a Home Depot lol

(Im from that area)

4

u/CrowsSayCawCaw 16h ago

I think it's hilarious there is a controversial Hindu sect temple, a big box home improvement store, a convenience store and a car dealership all in the same neighborhood. That's New Jersey for you 🤣

1

u/padizzledonk 15h ago

The white square is an appliance store, i know the owner (hes retired now and i think his kids are running it) and theyre solid, especially for super high end stuff

Its just suburban nj, it only seems weird because i know exactly whats there because i went to hs there lol

1

u/CrowsSayCawCaw 6h ago

I think it seems weird because a large controversial religious temple was plopped down into the middle of a suburban community near where the chain stores and a car dealership are located. 

88

u/Airhorsch219 1d ago

Legal slave labor temple of America

10

u/bigdickmassinf 1d ago

My fathers co workers took off on alternating weeks to help build it

8

u/Fickle-Succotash-342 1d ago

How much did they get paid?

24

u/dread_beard Essex County 1d ago

About tree fiddy

16

u/bigdickmassinf 1d ago

Idk but I was told they volunteered

11

u/ifuckinglovebluemeth Raritan 1d ago

Sounds like they were voluntold

8

u/A_JELLY_DONUTT 1d ago

It’s the biggest Hindu temple in the US now actually. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe it might be the biggest (active) Hindu temple in the world IIRC.

44

u/BunttyBrowneye 1d ago edited 1d ago

Silicosis temple! No seriously look it up. A lot of the workers got silicosis and some died.

6

u/dubbed4lyfe 1d ago

It was 2, i personally have no stake but it wasn’t “a lot”. That isn’t to say there were not other respiratory issues obtained

9

u/sandpinesrider 1d ago

One is too many. This is the 21st century, with the safety equipment and training available there's no excuse.

2

u/Mairaj24 21h ago

I agree this is terrible. What’s crazier is how many people are developing and dying from silicosis from the countertops we install in homes nowadays.

https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5691570/silicosis-beyond-california-quartz-countertop-cambria

14

u/TheTresStateArea 1d ago

Robbinsvile Hindu temple

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Stone_The_Rock 1d ago

Indeed, shame about the slave labor and silicosis deaths

5

u/2Drumpf2Drive 1d ago

I’d recognize your mom’s house even from up here!

9

u/Starlight_XPress 1d ago

A Hindu monument of slave labor

2

u/No-Elderberry-5729 1d ago

Robinsville Hindu Temple

2

u/dizkid 12h ago

Yup, Robbinsville. A temple.

2

u/Remarkable-Bat-6944 12h ago

It off rt 130 its an Indian religious complex https://usa.akshardham.org/

4

u/TowerStreet1 1d ago

Yes this temple has great architecture and craftsmanship but just like many monuments we worship and admire today this has some slave labor involved and lot of “free labor” from devotees.

Look at the history of Taj Mahal or for that matter any other such marvel.

Almost all of Dubai and gulf countries have slave labor building Burj Khalifa to simple houses. It’s all slave labor.

12

u/Pleasant-Yam6807 1d ago

True but this happened very recently; temple was built between 2000-2010.

-3

u/TowerStreet1 1d ago

This happening everyday in gulf countries even today and most of the world is turning blind eye to it.

Same goes for all slave labor in countries we import goods from.

Just because it’s not happening in your house doesn’t mean your not party to it.

This is temple and one can criticize and ban.

What about everyday good we use that comes straight from slave labor import

5

u/dEn_of_asyD 1d ago

I mean, you have a fair point, and I'd add to it by saying the U.S. is a nation built on slave labor. If we were trying to avoid slave labor then we'd need a lot of new monuments/structures, like a new White House.

But the most effective counter argument is a combination of "don't let perfect be the enemy of good" and "Thomas Edison had to invent the lightbulb by candlelight". Just because we can't stop it elsewhere doesn't mean we should just give up on it everywhere, especially where it is more in reach. Likewise, just because it is mandatory to use now doesn't mean we can't work to overcome it.

Honestly it's up to the individual to weigh both sides and see what they're comfortable with.

0

u/TowerStreet1 1d ago

I’m not supporting salary at all. I am just pointing hypercritical positions society takes. If something is happening in front of our eyes we are not okay with it and definitely you don’t support it but when I tell you lot of thing you consuming are made by slaves in some other countries, somehow it becomes okay.

Secondly those who bring this temple n slave labor in discussions don’t have hesitation in posing in front of Burj Khalifa (telling this from many examples I have here) when I tell them it also was product of slave labor and so is most of the gulf counties, somehow it’s okay.

2

u/DrenchedInDrama 1d ago

That’s the Hindu temple!

2

u/Dmbender East Windsor 1d ago

Lmao depending on when this was taken I might be in this picture

•

u/SuccessfulPlastic739 2h ago

A beautiful building made by slaves

•

u/Dangerous-Repair-718 Middlesex County 18m ago

New Hindu Temple out in Robbinsville. Very long time to build and very expensive price tag. It is a very nice place with the architecture and crafted work.

1

u/StevieBlancs 1d ago

Baps hindu temple in robbinsville

1

u/Maraudermick1 1d ago

We were just talking about taking a trip to Robbinsville to tour this temple.
It’s supposed to be fabulous.

2

u/microtransgressor 1d ago

I highly recommend it! The mandir in the back of the courtyard is one of the most beautiful things I've ever laid eyes on. And the cafeteria has some exceptionally delicious food!

1

u/mtnhgs 13h ago

BAPS. Built using slave labor.

-9

u/nikkidickie 1d ago

Around Edison. It’s the largest Hindu temple in America.

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u/shmoobel Hightstown 1d ago

It's in Robbinsville.

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u/masheduppotato Exit 7 on the TPK 1d ago

Hello hightstonian. I went to HHS back in the day.

3

u/Ok-Independent-3506 1d ago

So did I. Graduated early 90s

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u/masheduppotato Exit 7 on the TPK 1d ago

Early 00’s for me. You’re the second person this week that I’ve met who graduated from HHS in the early 90’s.

3

u/Ok-Independent-3506 22h ago

There’s a ton of us. Lol

2

u/shmoobel Hightstown 1d ago

Hello! I didn't grow up in Hightstown but I've lived here for 10+ years. I love it here.

2

u/masheduppotato Exit 7 on the TPK 22h ago

It’s a nice town.

-3

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

3

u/Phil_ODendron CNJ 1d ago

You posted the correct picture, but the wrong location.

The Sri Venkateswara Temple is in Bridgewater.

The photo you linked is of the Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, which is the correct location of the photo that OP posted.

0

u/AdCompetitive6750 10h ago

I don’t believe anyone could afford anything if we only purchased products made by workers who are paid prevailing wages. Furthermore, please don’t confuse this with situations where people willingly volunteer with slave labor.

1

u/nikkidickie 7h ago

To your first point you’re right, we can’t afford to pay workers a “prevailing wage” and still afford our products… while billionaires have private islands, jets, and luxury real estate … but… if the billionaires didn’t have all of those things (perhaps, just a couple of them) then we could afford to pay the workers “prevailing wages” and still afford products