How Was it built?
Built for the Divine: Art & Architecture
This Mandir revives India's ancient architectural tradition by constructing in accordance with the Hindu scriptures. Hand-carved in India from 40,000 pieces of Italian Carrara marble and Turkish limestone, the Mandir was assembled in 16 months. The Mandir is built in accordance with the ancient Hindu scriptures and stands without the use of ferrous materials, built to last a thousand years.
Scroll to learn more about this ancient architecture.
Ancient Architecture
This Mandir revives India's ancient architectural tradition by constructing in accordance with the Hindu scriptures, such as Vastushastra, Aparajitapruccha, Samarangana-Sutradhara, Vedhavastu-Prabhakara, Shilpa-Ratnakara and Shilpa-Prakash.
Selecting the Design
There are fourteen different ways to build a mandir. This Mandir is built in the nagara style of Northwest India. This was the same style which Bhagwan Swaminarayan built six beautiful mandirs. There are two types of nagara styles: sandhar (enclosed wall) and nirandhar (without walls). Keeping in mind the Inclement Chicago weather, the sandhar style was selected. Characterized by rising spires, the architecture inspires one to attain oneness with the Divine.
Journey of the Stone
The Carrara marble was quarried in Italy and the Limestone was quarried in Turkey, where they were shipped to Kandla in western India. Upon arrival in Rajasthan, more than 3,000 craftsman carved the stones over a period of twenty-two months.
The finished stones were sent to a final location for polishing, packaging and numbering before being shipped to the USA. The stones reached Virginia where the containers were put on a train and transported by train to Bartlett, Illinois.
Upon arrival at the site, the stones were grouped and classified based on a detailed database of each piece. The pieces were then assembled together like a massive, 3-dimensional jig-saw puzzle!
Stories Behind the Stones
Forged in the enduring spirit of reverence, adoration and gratitude, the Mandir is a humble tribute to the inexpressible majesty and unbounded glory of the Divine. Externally and internally, structural features such as columns and beams are profusely carved with traditional Hindu motifs of auspiciousness, peace and piety.
Each carving tells a story from Hinduism and from the Swaminarayan tradition.
Mandir as the form of the Divine
Ancient Hindu builders saw the mandir not just as a sacred structure, but as an actual form of the Divine. Vedhavastu-Prabhakara, Shilpa-Ratnakara and other treatises extensively describe the mandir as ‘devaswarupa’ – literally, ‘God’s body’.
- Pada-Shila – Foundations – Feet
- Sthambh – Columns – Knees
- Shila – Stone Blocks – Bones
- Yavva – Mortar – Muscles
- Foundation up to Jagati – Lower Layer – Thighs
- Garbha-Gruh – Inner Sanctum – Stomach
- Madhyasthan – Central Altar for Murti – Navel
- Sinhasan – Shrine for Murti – Heart
- Murti – Sacred Image – Soul
- Shikhar – Spires – Shoulders
- Ghant – Bell – Tongue
- Gavaksh – Windows – Ears
- Shukanas – Part of the Shikhar (literally “parrot beak”) – Nose
- Amalaka – Crown of the Shikhar – Neck
- Kalash – Finial Urns atop the Shikhar – Head
- Dhvaj – Flag – Hair
Ancient Art; Modern Technology
It is a testament to the fusion of ancient architecture and modern technology. Due to the inclement weather, the mandir has heated floors and a central air conditioning system to control the internal temperature. Fiber optic lighting also enhances the ambiance within the mandir.
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