BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta, GA, USA

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia, is a spectacular Hindu temple and cultural center known for its exquisite hand-carved stone architecture. Opened in 2007, it was the largest mandir of its kind outside of India at the time of its inauguration.

Architectural features
Hand-carved stone: The mandir was constructed from 34,450 pieces of Italian marble, Turkish limestone, and Indian pink sandstone. These pieces were hand-carved by artisans in India, shipped to the United States, and assembled in Lilburn like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Intricate details: The stone is covered with intricate carvings that depict tales of inspiration, devotion, and historic figures from Hinduism. The mandir also features five tall pinnacles, 86 decorative ceilings, 116 archways, and 340 columns.

Volunteers: The project, which took 17 months to complete, relied on the dedication of volunteers who contributed 1.3 million man-hours to its construction.

Complex grounds: The mandir sits on over 30 acres of landscaped grounds and includes a large assembly hall, classrooms, and a permanent exhibition on Hinduism.

Visiting information

Free entry: The mandir is open to all visitors, regardless of faith, and entry is free.
Hours: It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..
Dress code: A modest dress code is required. Clothing must cover the shoulders and knees, and visitors should remove their shoes before entering.
Audio tour: Visitors can rent a multilingual audio tour for a small fee from the Gift & Book Shop.
Arti ceremony: Visitors can observe the traditional Hindu ritual of arti each day at 11:15 a.m..
Group tours: Guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more with an advanced reservation.
Photography: Personal photography is permitted on the grounds outside the mandir but is prohibited inside.