DAYS AFTER its inauguration, one of the biggest Hindu temples in the US built at a colossal cost of $100m (£61m) has become a major draw for its grandeur and architecture.
The 68th Swaminarayan temple built near the Hollywood city in Los Angeles has been carved out of traditional stone and marble and cutting edge technology to protect it from earthquakes. It has been designed to last a 1,000 years.
"The temple is a beautiful testament to the hard work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of worship," Chino Hill Mayor Peter Rogers said.
"The temple and Cultural Center will indeed be a place that Chino Hills can be proud of for so many, many generations," he added.
Constructed from 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink Sandstone, the temple encompasses five pinnacles, two large domes, four balconies, 122 pillars and 129 archways.
From the external walls and domes to the inside pillars and ceilings, the temple is completely etched with intricate carvings in marble and sandstone.
The 6,600 hand-carved motifs depict a mosaic of tales of inspiration, devotion and dedication, along with historical figures from Hinduism, temple officials said.
"Artisans created the carvings in India with great love, skill and patience before the pieces were shipped to Chino Hills," a BAPS statement said.
The temple is situated on a 20-acre site, complete with 91 foot lotus-shaped reflection pond, a Cultural Center, gymnasium and classrooms.
It is designed to ‘calm the mind and open it,’ said Ronak Patel, a volunteer of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
BAPS said that it is first earthquake-proof temple in the world.
"The upper structure of the complex is protected from earthquake damage by separating it from the base with a series of 40 base-isolator units," it said.
"The temple also uses a solar power system to generate electricity and reduce adverse effects on the environment. The temple combines the best of traditional stone art and architecture and the best of modern technology," said Divyesh Patel, a member of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha.
