BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Illinois, United States

5Elana_K 5:00 PM Apr 17, 2011

Beautiful temple!
If you live anywhere near Bartlett, IL, it is definitely worth a trip out here. I am not Hindu but anyone can appreciate the stunning architecture! The grounds are huge and the designs carved into the buildings, gate, and inner pillars are amazing. We went in April so the flowers were not in bloom yet and the fountains were not on, but you can already tell how even more gorgeous it will be. You access the inside of the mandir via an underground passageway through the Haveli (the cultural center right next door). In the passageway there are a number of large posters detailing facts about India and Hinduism. This is one of the most impressive cultural sites in the local area, and a visit is definitely recommended to anyone in the Chicagoland area, especially the northwest suburbs.

5Naresh A 5:00 PM Oct 10, 2014

Serene, peaceful, architecturally wonderful...
The first thing we could feel is the serene setting and a place filled with such peace. Once we entered, the informative walls while we went from the Haveli to the Mandir were so capturing that we probably spent around 30 minutes reading the nicely done and descriptive posters. The woodwork and stonework at the Haveli and the Mandir were so wonderful that my son spent a couple of hours looking at them, completely awed. If you want to show your kids what results patience can derive, this is the place to show them... Saw 4 peacocks and peahens as well around the Haveli. Great tasting food, simple yet filling and satisfying - Srikhand was too good.