A Morning of Introspection and Peace at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois

 

Breathtaking Architecture Inspires Introspection at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois

Disclosure: Thank you to Explore Elgin Area for hosting our visit.

The breathtaking hand-carved marble and limestone BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir immediately captivates starting the minute you gaze upon the structure until the moment you feel the call to depart. Tucked a bit away in Bartlett, a visit to the Mandir should be soon on your list.

A Mandir is a sacred Hindu structure. The word Mandir in Sanskrit indicates a space where the deities reside. Touring the Mandir provided me one of the most moving journeys I have been on. The interior of the Mandir features hand-carved marble as well as beautiful and ornate artwork depicting the deities. Upon entering the Mandir, I became enrobed in gracefully adorned surroundings. Truly an amazing experience. 

Early spring blooms further highlight the intricate architecture of
 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

The Mandir is constructed with carrara marble from Italy and limestone from Turkey. Segments were carved by over 3000 craftsmen over 22 months in Rajasthan in India. The limestone would become the exterior of the structure and the marble the interior. The carved sections were shipped from the Indian port city of Kandla to Virginia. The pieces were then transported from Virginia to Chicago via train. When the pieces finally arrived in Bartlett, they were assembled in a fashion similar to putting together a jigsaw puzzle. The Mandir opened to the public in 2004.

While walking from the welcome center, you will find placards detailing Hindu history. They are pretty fascinating and worth pause. So, make sure to budget enough time to take in details on these placards during your visit.

The hand-carved BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir draws a sense of pure awe
 as you enter the campus.

On your visit to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir be sure to explore the grounds. A grand arch heralds the discoveries yet to be made while wandering the campus. Visiting during early spring, the beginning blooms of trees and tulips added an intriguing flash of nature to the scene. The entire experience visiting BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was quite uplifting. An adventure not to be missed in the Elgin Area!

More Information on BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

• To enter the Mandir, visitors enter into a pavilion where you will find the information area and a gift shop.  
• Check for times during which you may enter the Mandir.
• Dress code: Sleeveless tops and shorts are not permitted. Skirts must fall below the knees. 
• Shoes cannot be worn inside of the Mandir, so there are cubbies where you can place them.
• No photography is permitted within the Mandir but you may take photos wandering the grounds.
• Turn off phones while visiting.
• Stop by the Information Center for information on how to best explore.