BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago

My 1st time experiencing Diwali Celebrations and my 1st time visiting this temple.
The temple was lit up with so many different colors, inside as well as outside and it looked spectacular!.
The detail in the design on the walls and all over the temple, blew my mind. Absolutely stunning.
The firework display at the end of the night was amazing, over all I had a great experience.
I do recommend visiting this place on a regular day, just so you can take your time to explore it properly, as the temple is very large with several areas inside and out.
They also have a shop and a place to have food.

One of the most beautiful places in Illinois. The architecture is awe-inspiring. Make sure to enter the mandir. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT! Tour guide Miriam is knowledgeable and so kind. My children and I had so much fun in this marvelous place.

Architectural wise its a beautiful place. There is lot of grandeur to it. We could not visit the temple as it is closed from 1pm to 4pm. The place is well maintained. The canteen food quality and price is good. Pooja item prices are also reasonable. Must visit for peaceful and serene experience

Beautiful and serene. It's a spiritual experience and we feel blessed everytime we visit there. This time we bought a mid sized temple from the gift shop in 50$ 😍.

Peaceful place, spent quality time meditating and worshipping the deity. Mandir architecture is incredible and lot of thoughtful craftsmanship in exteriors and interior of temple. It’s hand work with marble sculptures and wood sculptures.

Even though temple is open most of the day, darshan is timed at certain hours of the day. Parking is plenty. There are peacocks near Mandir. Overall it’s a feast for eyes and soul.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a prominent Hindu temple affiliated with the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major Hindu denomination. It is renowned for its architectural grandeur, spiritual significance, and cultural contributions.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs are built according to ancient Vedic architectural principles, featuring intricately carved stone structures, domes, spires, and ornate pillars. The temples are adorned with sculptures and motifs depicting Hindu deities, saints, and scriptures, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India.
Devotees and visitors to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs experience a serene atmosphere conducive to prayer, meditation, and spiritual contemplation. The temples serve as centers for religious worship, where rituals, ceremonies, and discourses are conducted regularly to inspire devotees and foster spiritual growth.
Overall, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs stand as symbols of devotion, architectural excellence, and service to humanity, embodying the timeless teachings and ideals of Hinduism. They serve as beacons of light, inspiring individuals to lead lives of piety, compassion, and integrity.

Very grand temple .Architecture incredible.
One of the best temple on architectural point of view.
Very clean and well maintained.
Cafeteria have great vegetarian food too.
No photography allowed inside the temple.
Free entry.

This is a beautiful temple. It's a definite must see! The food/snacks are also very good!

Favorite temple around the area. I am not Indian nor practice this religion but I am very fascinated to learn about new cultures and traditions. I visited this temple with a friend and we were very shocked and amazed by not only the architecture but also what goes inside of the temples. We were so intrigued by the very fine details of the building. Just absolutely amazing. Also the shop has a-lot of nice things to buy including food and other souvenirs.

Important: if you are a tourist or visitor know that you have to wear pants or something that covers your legs. This applies to both men and women. However in case you forget, they have a few pieces of cloth that you can use to cover up. Also don’t forget to take your shoes off once inside.

PEACEFUL AND BEAUTIFUL!
We went to this mandir during pandemic. The mandir was partially closed due to construction. It was a treat to our eyes. The mandir offer a mesmerizing architecture and clean prayer rooms. It also has a kitchen for fresh food and snacks. We had a great time with darshan and prayers.

This place is so beautiful and magnificent. The intricacies of marble and wood carvings are amazing. Inside the temple, photography isn't allowed, so you'll have to visit to see the beauty yourself. Also, if you're wearing shorts/skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, they have sarong clothes for covering before you can enter the temple.

This is a nice Hindu Temple with cafe in it for quick refreshment. You can feel the spiritual vibes around the campus of the temple. It also has a peacock roaming in its campus.

Very impressive! Well maintained place. Worth it the trip. Almost unreal, considering it’s in Illinois.

Beautiful temple well worth a visit even if you aren’t a Hindu. Wonderful Gujerati vegetarian cuisine available for purchase, or to eat onsite.

A very lovely, peaceful and eye catching place. The buildings are wonderful to look at and there is so much detail on the buildings, you could spend a few minutes just looking at the buildings. There is a small market inside to buy your favorite snacks and dishes from India. The employees were very nice. We came here to check it out and it was definitely worth visiting. If you're in this area as a tourist, I would definitely recommend coming here. There are a lot of parking spaces. Would definitely come here again once they're done building with the other building or if we're in the area.

Had a blast at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chicago today with my partner in crime, my bestie, and our adorable little munchkin! 🥳🌟 This place is simply breathtaking - the architecture, the vibes, and the peaceful atmosphere. Honestly, we felt like we stepped into a mesmerizing labyrinth of divinity! #chicago #travel #travelvideography #bestfriend #summertrip #baps #hindi #art #chicago #girlstrip #goodmorning

the arquittecture of this place is just amazing i'm not of this religius but place was if you are in middle east

Huge Shri Swaminarayan Mandir located outskirts of Chicago , peaceful place away from city hustle .

Visitor parking is at the back, drive all the way from the entrance to the back.

There is gift and food/canteen place , we tried kichuri ($4) and dhokla ($5)
To visit the temple , we need to take 2-3 rounds of stairs , the interior is beautiful, peaceful, divine , magnificent.

No pictures are allowed inside , and we respect that!

No loud sounds inside the temple.

Amazing temple. Very beautiful architecture. You must remove your shoes and remain quiet when entering the main temple. They have peacocks roaming in the gardens. They have a large cafeteria and shop with freshly made food. Free entrance to the temple.

It was very divine experience. And the volunteer named Minalben was very polite and was very informative. And the knowledge she shared with kids which created interest in them to learn more about are culture.