BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Houston
Encyclopedia
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston is a mandir
or Hindu temple in Stafford, Texas
, USA. It was the first traditional mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States.
The mandir was created entirely according to ancient Hindu
architectural manuscripts known as the Shilpa Shastras
, but also meets all modern regulations of today. Opened on July 24, 2004 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj
, the present spiritual guru of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), it was constructed in 16 months starting from the day its first stone was laid.
The 25620 sq ft (2,380.2 m²) mandir is constructed entirely of marble from Italy and limestone from Turkey. There is no iron or steel anywhere in the structure. The stone that makes up the temple was shipped to India where it was hand-carved with traditional Vedic deities
and motifs. Approximately 33,000 individually marked pieces were then shipped to Houston and assembled like a giant three dimensional jigsaw.
The mandir was created by BAPS, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan faith
of Hinduism.
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
or Hindu temple in Stafford, Texas
Stafford, Texas
Stafford is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The city is mostly in Fort Bend County with a small portion in Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Stafford's population was 15,681....
, USA. It was the first traditional mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States.
The mandir was created entirely according to ancient Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
architectural manuscripts 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 ...
, but also meets all modern regulations of today. Opened on July 24, 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 present spiritual guru of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), it was constructed in 16 months starting from the day its first stone was laid.
The 25620 sq ft (2,380.2 m²) mandir is constructed entirely of marble from Italy and limestone from Turkey. There is no iron or steel anywhere in the structure. The stone that makes up the temple was shipped to India where it was hand-carved with traditional Vedic deities
Rigvedic deities
There are 1028 hymns in the Rigveda, most of them dedicated to specific deities.Indra, a heroic god, slayer of Vrtra and destroyer of the Vala, liberator of the cows and the rivers; Agni the sacrificial fire and messenger of the gods; and Soma the ritual drink dedicated to Indra are the most...
and motifs. Approximately 33,000 individually marked pieces were then shipped to Houston and assembled like a giant three dimensional jigsaw.
The mandir was created by BAPS, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan faith
Swaminarayan Faith
Swaminarayan Hinduism, also known as the Swaminarayan faith or the Swaminarayan sect, is a modern tradition in the Vaishnava denomination of Hinduism, in which followers offer devotion to and worship Swaminarayan as the final manifestation of God....
of Hinduism.