BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - Greenville, SC

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Greenville, South Carolina, is a Hindu place of worship that was inaugurated in 2016 by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. It serves as a center for spiritual, social, and cultural activities for the local Hindu community and is open to visitors of all backgrounds.

Key features

Purpose: According to BAPS philosophy, mandirs provide a haven for spirituality, a place to connect with the divine, and a way to preserve Hindu values and heritage. The mandir's environment is designed to foster contemplation and inner peace.

Deities: The central shrines house sacred images (murtis) of deities, including Bhagwan Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami, Radha-Krishna, Sita-Ram-Hanumanji, and Shiv-Parvati-Ganeshji.

Style: The Greenville mandir is a hari mandir, a category of BAPS temples constructed with modern materials like steel and concrete. This is distinct from the more elaborate shikharbaddha mandirs, which are built primarily from intricately carved stone.

Worship: Devotional worship is offered throughout the day, including darshan (reverent viewing of the deities) and arti, a ritual waving of lighted wicks. Visitors can also participate in other ceremonies and spiritual assemblies.

Charitable activities: The mandir's outreach is channeled through BAPS Charities, which organizes various initiatives for the Greenville community. Past and upcoming events include Walk-a-thons supporting local causes like the Neighborhood Cancer Connection and Meals on Wheels.

Cultural education: The mandir promotes Hindu heritage through spiritual practices as well as classes on arts, languages, and music.

Inclusivity: The mandir welcomes people from all backgrounds and faiths.

Atmosphere: Visitors often describe the atmosphere as serene, welcoming, and peaceful.