BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta
File:BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta Location in Georgia
Coordinates:	33°52′56.65″N 84°9′52.66″W
Name
Proper name:	BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Location
Country:	United States
State:	Georgia
Location:	Lilburn
Architecture and culture
Primary deity:	Bhagwan Swaminarayan
Architectural styles:	North Indian / Shilpa Shastras
History
Date built: (Current structure)	September 2005 (groundbreaking) to August 2007
Creator:	Pramukh Swami Maharaj / BAPS

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta is the sixth BAPS traditional Hindu stone temple built outside of India. It is also the largest Hindu temple of its kind outside of India. It is currently open to the public. The 32,000-square-foot (3,000 m²) temple, officially called the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, sits on 30 acres (120,000 m²). With hand-carved stone spires that tower 75 feet (23 m), it is the tallest building in Lilburn, Georgia, dominating the intersection of Rockbridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway. More than 1,300 craftsmen and 900 volunteers dedicated their time in putting this 34,450-piece stone marvel together. More than 4,500 tons of Italian Carrara marble, 4,300 tons of Turkish limestone, and 3,500 tons of Indian pink sandstone was quarried and shipped to the craftsmen in India. Then, all of the nearly 35,000 pieces were shipped to the United States. It serves members of the Swaminarayan branch of Hinduism, which originated in India more than 200 years ago. The traditional design features custom-carved stonework, a wraparound veranda and five prominent pinnacles reminiscent of the Himalayan hills.

The Lilburn location is the largest temple in North America for BAPS. Built at an estimated cost of $19 million, the temple complex is only the third of its kind in the country, surpassing BAPS temples in Houston and Chicago. Tony Patel with Alpharetta, Georgia based Newport Design Group Architects served as coordinating architects for the project.

The organization’s current spiritual guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, came to Lilburn in 2004 and blessed the first foundation stones. The guru, who celebrated his 86th birthday in 2006, returned to Lilburn in August 2007 to sanctify the completed temple. Upon completion, a keystone weighing more than 2 tons was twisted into place on the ceiling of the central dome inside.

Visitors are welcome at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Individuals and families do not need to book their visit. On arrival, visitors are asked to enquire with Mandir personnel inside the Mandir if they would like a guided tour. However, photography or video may only be taken from ground level outside the mandir. All clothing must cover shoulders and knees. Cell phones should be turned off. Any non vegan food items, including snacks, should not be brought into the facility.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Atlanta

The Mandir after construction (August 2009)

External links

• Official Web site