BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago
Mandir: An Introduction
A mandir is a Hindu place of worship. A mandir is built for a clear purpose: to create a sacred atmosphere where people can focus on God and on self-improvement. It offers a calm setting for prayer, gratitude, and reflection. It also provides an environment where teachings, values, and traditions are shared in a respectful way.
Located in the suburb of Bartlett (Illinois), the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir consists of multiple points-of-interest. Scroll to explore the campus and learn more!
Learning Space
Haveli
Your journey on the campus will begin at the Haveli building, which functions as our Visitor Center. Exquisite traditional wood-craftsmanship has been combined with modern environment-friendly techniques to create this hub of activity for all who come to learn, worship and celebrate at the Mandir.
Visit the Information Desk to learn more about the campus, pick up a visitor brochure or receive an audio tour.
Worship Space
Mandir
A mandir is a Hindu place of worship and is considered the home of the Divine. Using 8,000 tons of Italian Carrara marble and Turkish limestone, the 40,000 pieces were meticulously hand-carved in India before being assembled in Chicago within 16 months.
In the mandir, worshippers gather in this space to meditate, offer prayers and to seek blessings from the Divine. The space is kept quiet and respectful to support concentration.
Space to seek blessings
Abhishek Mandapam
The Abhishek Mandapam is on the lower level of the Youth Activity Center. Abhishek is the Hindu ritual of pouring water over the murti to honor God and seek blessings.
Here, a gilded brass murti of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan) is enshrined to commemorate his epic journey as a teenager. All are welcome to perform the ritual.
Welcome Gate & Courtyard
The Swagat Dwar, or Welcome Gate, marks the entrance to the campus. On either side of the entrance are reflective gardens and peaceful ponds honoring the sacred rivers of India, symbolizing the importance of inner and outer purity.
A FUSION OF FLAVORS
Shayona Café
Why not complete your visit with a meal at Shayona? With its all-vegetarian cuisine, Shayona is the perfect way to experience some traditional and authentic tastes of India.
Join our Telegram Channel for the weekly menu, Café updates and deals!
Our History
From India to Illinois
The vision for building this campus was inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the 5th spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. He inaugurated the mandir on August 8, 2004 for the Chicagoland community.
Discover the history behind the mandir, its creator and the BAPS community in the Chicagoland area over the decades.
