NationMaster - Encyclopedia: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago is a Hindu temple in the suburb of Bartlett, Chicago IL, USA. It is the largest traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States and was built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temples deity. ... // [edit] Introduction Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or BAPS is a branch of the Hindu Swaminarayan sect with more than 1,000,000 followers worldwide and a greater presence outside South Asia than any other Hindu group [Williams, 2001]. Formally established as BSS (Bochasanwasi Shri Sanstha, later becoming BAPS... Bhagwan Shree Swaminarayan Bhagwan Swaminarayan (April 2, 1781 - 1830) was born Ghanshyam Maharaj to a brahmin family in the village of Chhapaiya, Uttar Pradesh, India. ...

The Mandir was designed according to ancient Hindu texts on temple design called 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. The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temples deity. ... Pramukh Swami Maharaj (born December 7, 1921 in the village of Chansad in Gujarat, India) is a spiritual leader of the Hindu organisation of Bochasanwasi Akshar-Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). ... // [edit] Introduction Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or BAPS is a branch of the Hindu Swaminarayan sect with more than 1,000,000 followers worldwide and a greater presence outside South Asia than any other Hindu group [Williams, 2001]. Formally established as BSS (Bochasanwasi Shri Sanstha, later becoming BAPS...

Adjoining the Mandir, linked by an underground walkway, is Shri Swaminarayan Haveli, a cultural centre. Opened on October 20 2000, it has been designed according to traditional Indian Haveli architecure - an architectural style fashioned from wood, involving intricate carving. Behind the traditional wooden facade, the cultural centre houses a large prayer hall, function hall, dining facilities, and offices. The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temples deity. ... Haveli is the term used for a building of personal residence in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. ... Haveli is the term used for a building of personal residence in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, India. ...

On May 18 2005, the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago was awarded the "Best Building Suburb" award by the Chicago Building Congress (CBC) for displaying 'distinctive design, outstanding construction, and a positive impact on the surrounding community'.¹

Category: Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... BAPS Mandir, Houston BAPS Mandir, Houston is a Hindu temple in Stafford, Texas, USA. It was the first traditional Hindu Mandir (temple) of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States. ... // BAPS Sanstha is a worldwide Hindu organisation. ... // [edit] Introduction Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha or BAPS is a branch of the Hindu Swaminarayan sect with more than 1,000,000 followers worldwide and a greater presence outside South Asia than any other Hindu group [Williams, 2001]. Formally established as BSS (Bochasanwasi Shri Sanstha, later becoming BAPS...