Phil Murphy visits Akshardham in New Jersey ahead of official India trip

He is scheduled to travel to India next month, becoming the first sitting New Jersey governor to make such a visit.

Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy. / X

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey, the temple’s leadership announced this week. Phil Murphy is scheduled to travel to India next month, becoming the first sitting New Jersey governor to make such a visit.

BAPS said in a statement, “We welcomed New Jersey @GovMurphy and @FirstLadyNJ to @Akshardham_USA today. Their visit highlighted the vibrant diversity of New Jersey and emphasized the importance of engaging with diverse communities. We appreciate the Governor for taking time to recognize Akshardham as a place where service, mutual respect, and shared values are cherished.”

We welcomed New Jersey @GovMurphy and @FirstLadyNJ to @Akshardham_USA today. Their visit highlighted the vibrant diversity of New Jersey and emphasized the importance of engaging with diverse communities. We appreciate the Governor for taking time to recognize Akshardham as a… https://t.co/cQvvdFqE5b pic.twitter.com/BPec4jpQir
— BAPS Public Affairs (@BAPS_PubAffairs) August 26, 2025

Murphy shared on X that he and the First Lady “had the privilege of visiting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville — the second largest Hindu temple in the world.” He added that, as the India trip approaches, the visit served as “a reminder of the deep religious and cultural ties that bind our regions.”

Calling Robbinsville’s Hindu temple “a great community in the heart of New Jersey,” Murphy said, “The India-New Jersey partnership is growing and getting stronger and we're proud to play a small role in it.”

The governor was joined by Attorney Darshan Patel, who said on X it was “wonderful to finally have @GovMurphy join in recognizing @akshardham_usa's significance.” Rajpal Bath, Executive Director of the New Jersey India Commission, also attended, noting that “New Jersey & India share strong cultural and spiritual ties that continue to enrich our communities.”

Murphy announced his India trip on Aug.15, writing on X, “India is a close friend and partner to New Jersey and I will always be proud to have been the first sitting New Jersey Governor to visit India.”

Wishing our vibrant Indian American community a happy India Independence Day!

India is a close friend and partner to New Jersey and I will always be proud to have been the first sitting New Jersey Governor to visit India. pic.twitter.com/FDKYnGLZmO
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 15, 2025

He recently met Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s successor, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, and Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan. After that meeting, Murphy said he looked forward to returning to India next month “and building upon the longstanding friendship and partnership between our regions".

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