BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chicago

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'BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago'
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago
Name:	BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago
Creator:	BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Date built:	October 20 2000

Architecture:	Shilpa-Shastras.
Location:	Chicago suburb of Bartlett, Illinois, USA

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago is a Hindu temple in the Chicago suburb of Bartlett, Illinois, 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.

The Mandir was designed according to ancient Hindu texts on temple design called the holy 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, an international Hindu organisation belonging to the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism

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 architecture - 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.

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]