Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois

Vasu Reddy from Chicago

vasureddy@aol.com

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Exclusive Photo  Album

As a long time observer of Temples and their construction in the Chicago area, I am amazed at the level of discipline and efficiency displayed by the volunteers at the just finished BAPS Temple in Bartlett, Illinois.  I first visited the temple on August 3, 2004 evening along for a formal visit with the BIPS team and darshan with the Swami Pramukh Swami Maharaj.  I followed up with a visit on August 6, 2004 for a tour of the temple and the haveli.

I was ushered by various volunteers all along the evening, and they made sure I was comfortable and at every opportunity answered my many questions.  I was not up-to-date on the BAPS organization.  Between my first ad second visits I went through the website of BAPS www.swaminarayan.org and made sure I was up to speed on the organization and it’s global efforts.  It is amazing to see the efficiency displayed at every step of the organization.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the fifth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.  I am also truly grateful for the opportunity presented by the organizers to have the opportunity to meet with the Pramukh Swami Maharaj.  He was immediately approachable, kind with his words, listened intently, and responded with wonderful personal words.  I am sure his holiness touch many people everyday and it was a personal experience I will cherish.  I feel blessed that I was able to see him and speak to him and touch his feet. 

The temple complex is based on a 30-acre complex in Bartlett.  It is just off the junction of Army Trail Road and Route 59.   When you first drive into the complex still bustling with final construction and volunteers ushering crowds you will be amazed at the expanse of the complex and the beauty of the two huge structures.  I was told that the temple is designed based on the 9^th and 10^th century shilpa shastras.  The temple is almost 8 stories tall and about 22,000 sq feet and used over 40,000 pieces of limestone and marble.  The Mandir does not use steel reinforcement to avoid corrosion.  It is built to last over one 1000 years.

The temple construction started on April 12, 2003 and completed on 8^th August 2004.  The temple will hold the images of Shree Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram, Shiv-Parvati, Hanumanji and Ganapatiji.

It is expected that the sixteen-day celebrations will attract more than 100,000 people from all over the USA and the world to attend the 2-week festivities in which the Pramukh Swami Maharaj will inaugurate the temple.  The Murthy Pratishta on August 8^th, 2004 will be the conducted by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

The temple cost an estimated 15.0 million dollars and invaluable contributions and work of 1,700 volunteers and estimated 2.5 million hours of work.

A Mandir

Quote from Pramukh Swami Maharaj

A Mandir

is a center for realizing God

is where the mind becomes still

is a place of paramount peace

inspires a higher way of life

teaches us to respect one another

preserves our cultural values

sustains our unique identity

Facts and Figures

Chicago Traditional Mandir

Please visit with family and friends.  The temple invites all people with out discrimination.  The temple hours (still being set) are from 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM.

Temple Information:

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir

4 N 739 IL Route 59

Bartlett, IL 60103 USA

630-213-2277 - Phone

630-213-2088 - Fax

www.swaminarayan.org