BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago
Encyclopedia
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago is a Hindu temple in the Chicago suburb of Bartlett, Illinois
, USA. It is one of the largest traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States and was built by BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha.
The Mandir was designed according to ancient Hindu texts on temple design known as the Shilpa Shastras
. It is constructed of Turkish limestone and Italian marble that was shipped to India and hand carved. The stone was then shipped to Chicago and assembled like a giant three dimensional jigsaw puzzle. From the day its first stone was laid, it took 16 months to construct, and was inaugurated on August 8, 2004 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
, the spiritual leader of BAPS
Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism
Adjoining the Mandir, linked by an underground walkway, is Shri Swaminarayan Haveli
, a cultural center. Opened on October 20 2000, it has been designed according to traditional Indian Haveli
architecture - an architectural style fashioned from wood, involving intricate carving. Behind the traditional wooden facade, the cultural center houses a large prayer hall, function hall, dining facilities, and offices.
Bartlett, Illinois
Bartlett is a village located in both Cook County and DuPage County, Illinois. A small parcel on the western border is in Kane County. The population was 36,706 at the 2000 census. A 2002 recount gave the village a population of 37,304. In 2007 another recount gives the village a population of 41,500...
, USA. It is one of the largest traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States and was built by BAPS
BAPS
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha , often abbreviated as BAPS , is a major organization within the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism...
Swaminarayan Sanstha.
The Mandir was designed according to ancient Hindu texts on temple design known as the Shilpa Shastras
Shilpa Shastras
Shilpa Shastras is an umbrella term for numerous Hindu texts that describe manual arts, the standards for religious Hindu iconography, prescribing among other things, the proportions of a sculptured figure, as well as rules of Hindu architecture.Sixty-four such arts or crafts, sometimes called ...
. It is constructed of Turkish limestone and Italian marble that was shipped to India and hand carved. The stone was then shipped to Chicago and assembled like a giant three dimensional jigsaw puzzle. From the day its first stone was laid, it took 16 months to construct, and was inaugurated on August 8, 2004 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu organization, and the current guru of the sect....
, the spiritual leader of BAPS
BAPS
Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha , often abbreviated as BAPS , is a major organization within the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism...
Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism
Haveli
Haveli
Haveli is the term used for a private mansion in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from the Persian word hawli, meaning "an enclosed place"...
, a cultural center. Opened on October 20 2000, it has been designed according to traditional Indian Haveli
Haveli
Haveli is the term used for a private mansion in India and Pakistan. The word haveli is derived from the Persian word hawli, meaning "an enclosed place"...
architecture - an architectural style fashioned from wood, involving intricate carving. Behind the traditional wooden facade, the cultural center houses a large prayer hall, function hall, dining facilities, and offices.