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    BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago

    4.8 (44 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:30 pm

    BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago Photos

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    Hunter S.

    Beautiful architectural find! Gorgeous grounds. Photos CANNOT capture the beauty and intricacy of this place. I did not go into the actual place of worship because I did not want to be disrespectful or intruding. If you do go into the actual worship space, you must remove your shoes and no photos. They recommend modest, though casual, dress. If you're dressed in a fashion that does not align with their rules, they may ask you to don provided clothing. All of the staff were nice and accommodating. There was no feeling of exclusion. I spent almost all of my time outside taking photos and enjoying the carefully and intricately designed grounds. So many fine details and many beautiful fountains, water features, and sculptures. There is also a little cafe and store in one of the buildings, and shaded tables at which to sit. I drove an hour from Olympia Fields to get here, then took a jaunt over to the Baha'i temple in Wilmette (reviewed separately). Also near the Morton Arboretum, so you could make a day of touring picturesque sites on the outskirts of Chicago and Chicagoland.

    Just beautiful
    Gina V.

    I must say I been coming here for years. BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYA has been the most relaxing place to come to worship. You can come on Sundays and enjoy great vegetarian food on the basement. The have also weddings a spectacular place to have a wedding. I brought my sister when she was battling cancer. When you come in to worship you must leave your shoes in a special place and you walk downstairs bare feet. It is one of the most beautiful architectural buildings ever made with Italian marble on. It is a jaw dropping beautify all over. They also have a shop to buy items of worship or soups oils, incense. It is an amazing place to find inner peace.

    Vaidehi P.

    Absolutely divine, peaceful & serene! Can never get sick of this place as the architecture is beautiful both inside and out. Highly recommend!

    Orest S.

    Very nice and calm place. Free of charge. Nice people, picnicking areas. Very beautiful temple.

    Laura N.

    I spent my college years watching films, studying films, writing about films, making films, and acting in films (I was an awesome zombie). That's what film majors at liberal arts colleges do. Of course, once we graduate, we start at the bottom and work our butts off to be seen/heard in the industry, or just give up and find something else to do in life. I fall in the latter category. No regrets. That said, I do reminisce about my film days often. One of my favorite genres to watch and study was Bollywood. Bollywood is awesome. For those of you don't know what Bollywood is, it is an informal word for a part of the Indian film industry complete with bright colors and flashy songs. It's weird. It's fun. When I heard about BAPS in Bartlett, visions of Bollywood filled my head. I half expected to see Hindu men and women in brightly colored attire, ready to break out into song and dance among the carved topiary. Can you guess what I did see? Yeah, it wasn't quite that. Lack of Bollywood aside, I really enjoyed touring BAPS. I headed out here with my reluctant husband on a warm summer afternoon, determined to explore more free places in the area and check this one off my list. After parking in the back and walking along the road around to the front doors (with a quick pit stop at the brightly-colored bathrooms inside), we entered into a large lobby and approached the front desk for further instructions. These are some things you can't do inside: wear shoes, take photos, wear tank tops/short skirts, and talk loudly. You can, however, take your shoes off and place in them in a cubby, give them your camera, borrow a wrap to cover your bare shoulders, and learn sign language so you can speak with your friends 'silently' as you tour BAPS. (See?? There are so many practical reasons to learn sign language. I rock.) We lingered in the lobby, walked down some stairs, read the signs and posters in the hallway, made a wish and poured water over a golden statue (this was kind of cool), walked up some other stairs, and wandered through the beautifully carved temple. Seriously, we weren't expecting to find this inside! The details were jaw-dropping-ly amazing! Some people were practicing, so we quietly walked around them to admire the temple and learn a little more about the religion. After we were done, we went back to the lobby to retrieve our shoes, check out the (small) gift shop, and walk around outside. The topiaries and statues are neat and provide for some great photo ops. When you're here, it's hard to believe you're somewhere in Illinois. BAPS is definitely another world. I really need to come back for Diwali (who wants to come with me!?).

    Swami temple
    Carl F.

    With all due respect to Martin Landau and Halle Berry, I think *this* version of BAPS may have just bumped their flick down a spot on list of favorite BAPS... but don't worry Nisi, I've still got mad love for those up-dos. Moving on... a quick Google search of really cool FREE sh*t to do/see west of Chicago turned up this little Swami gem and had me moving BAPS, the closest thing to suburban Shangri-La, up to the numero uno item on my to-do list for the weekend. It's a bit hidden off route 59, so if your head isn't turned at a 90 degree angle (not recommended while driving) and looking just beyond the tree-lined perimeter, you might miss this masterpiece. As soon as you pull in it's like freebie Disney world with neat-o topiaries of giraffes, elephants, deer, dolphins, and more. A botanical zoo, for sure. You pull around the circle and you can park right in front of the two massive temples, almost entirely hand-carved out of marble and wood by over 2,000 artisans. It is... unreal. Truly. One you go in, you'll receive a bit of instruction. You must check any cameras you may have at the front desk as well as remove your shoes and place them in the walls of cubbies- so make a mental reminder if you're coming to not wear your sh*tty socks. To lower right side of the front desk is a whole restaurant that we forgot to patronize after getting so caught up in the temples and services that we somehow let several hours slip away when we'd initially only meant to pop in for 20 or 30 minutes. In the main temple where you enter we were able to get some assistance and bit of a guided tour from the guy who makes sure you take your shoes off. He told us a bit about the religion, but mostly how the building was made and showed us some of pics they had of other Swami temples across the world. It was SUPER neat. Especially for religion-type stuff, of which I'm generally not a fan of. No offense to those who are believers of any sort. Once you check out the carvings in the first building, take the stairs to the left underground and across the way to the next temple, all of carved marble, but be sure to take note of the signs in the hallways as there is a point at which you cannot speak once you pass the line, that I, like a typical American jerk-off, just breezed right by without reading. Luckily, my much more detail-oriented boo took note of my ignorance, and dragged me back to carefully read the sign. Once you go across the the path and a few smaller rooms for services, you'll need to go up a flight or two of stairs to the 'main event' temple, which looks like it's out of a movie, depicting a palace where the gods would live. It's honestly indescribable. I don't think I've ever been without words for so long in my life. We appeared to be the only non-practicing people at the temple and shortly realized that we'd just walked ourselves into their afternoon services. I didn't know what the proper protocol for non-swami visitors was, but everyone seemed friendly (for being completely silent, at least) so I just did like everybody else and sat on the ground Indian-style, watched the gold gates open to pray to the gold statues of the founding Swami principles and did some laps around the place as it seems to be part of the service for most. It was so neat. I noticed something new each time I did a lap and before we knew it, several hours had passed and our stomachs were growling so we decided to pack it up and head back out. On the way back over to the temple that still housed our shoes, we were able to catch another smaller different kind service where people got bracelets and then after we got our shoes and reclaimed our camera we went outside to capture a few sunset pics when we saw one of the temple let out a group of white peacocks. Not the kind you see in the zoo, but the kind you see in fairy-tails and the second Kung-Fu Panda with the more majestic look and really wispy feathers. It was awesome! Totally felt like I was at a palace in another land and not Bartlett, Illinois. We watched the sun set from the reflection pond and before we headed out we promised to make this visit the first of many.

    A beautiful October day
    Marissa G.

    Is this India? No, it's Bartlett. It took me more than 10 years, but I finally made it to visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. I went with a photography group during the week of Holi. The temple is lit in different colors during this time and it makes for quite the photo. However, the pictures we took couldn't capture the beauty that this place holds. The carvings in both the marble and the teak are so intricate, you can't help but wonder - how'd they do that? Photos are allowed outside, but not inside. But I totally suggest venturing outside. Just take off your shoes and walk right into one of the most beautiful places that I've seen in the suburbs. The temple is completely marble, but decorated with vibrantly colored flowers. I could't help but smile because it seemed so filled with life. The staff there is willing to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to ask away. Having traveled to India, my visit here brought back so many memories. It is such a hidden gem in the Chicago suburbs. Trust me, you want to check this place out.

    Vaishnavi S.

    One cannot help but be in awestruck wonder with the architectural beauty of this place. The MAIN TEMPLE is marble all around. We have visited the BAPS temple at Chino Hills in California where one of the volunteers explained in great detail how their temples were built. Italian marble shipped to India where they were carved with utmost precision. The finished marble was shipped back to the USA. Craftsmen from India then came over to assemble the slabs of intricate stone. While the place is worth visiting over & over again just for the architectural beauty of it, there is more to this place than just that. Once inside the main temple, you are engulfed with a sense of peacefulness - atleast I did. Such a rarity in this fast paced life. Things you must know. It being a place of worship, they require that you dress modestly. No shorts, skirts or revealing attire. No photography inside the buildings. And finally like with many places of worship, please do maintain silence. If you must speak please do so without disturbing those around. If you are looking for a place of worship or just some calm, quiet & eye striking beauty - BAPS @ Bartlett might just be the place to visit.

    Entry Sign
    Robin Z.

    The scent of burning incense provided an ethereal, almost hypnotic impression as we patiently removed our shoes and placed them in neat little cubbyholes before walking the underground hall to the temple's inner chamber. Passing poster-sized images of key Hindu personages and Indian feats, we approached the altar and made our wishes as we poured holy water over the sacred icon while slowly ambulating a circular path beneath the image of this temple's guiding spirit. Paying our respects to the helpful priest, we made our return and as my sister remarked at how quiet and serene it was, I kept my eyes peeled for the fabled treasure of the Temple of Doom, senses keenly alert to any threat. It wasn't here though and after retrieving our cameras from the temple aides, we found ourselves outside again in the cool, crisp April air of rural Illinois overlooking the oddly surreal scene stretched out before us. Ornamental trees and lush green lawns, separated by an abrupt rectangular watercourse, offered a landscape dotted with exotic animal topiary (picture evergreen giraffes, elephants, boxwood dolphins) and drew the eyes to the massive and ornate marble gate. A large white marble statue, looking as if plucked from the gardens at Versailles or St. Petersburg, framed the two main structures of the temple. But instead of over-sized carved gods of ancient Greek mythology, here were two gilded and alluring damsels pouring water from great earthen vessels while a third smiled stonily, her staff at the ready. While not in operation, presumably for the winter, it must be a beautiful sight when the gods fix the plumbing and the water flows. Though sorely incongruous for a typical suburban Illinois landscape where fat cows chew their cud next door, this temple provides a most unusual side-visit around Chicago as well as offering it's adherents a beautiful, idyllic location in which to worship. The incredible artistic talent, time and expense that went into the carvings of the white marble and richly detailed teak of the schoolhouse are well worth the visit. Namaste (For further study, see Bhagavad-gita "As It Is")

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    Stunning temple with such a great spiritual feeling once you enter. Must visit at least once for people of all faiths.

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    A very spiritual and beautiful place. I come here for prayer, peace, silence and excellent food as well. :-)

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago

    My Sister is looking for a nice place to take pictures for her Quinceanera photo shoot. If we chose this place do we need a special permission?

    no you do not! please though be respectful as it is our place of worship, and only photography outside not in the mandir

    How far a drive is this from day Michigan Ave? I'm a tourist and would love to visit but uncertain about drive times

    45mins to one hour depending on traffic

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago

    Once inside the main temple, you are engulfed with a sense of peacefulness - atleast I did.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    This is currently 3 stars but may soon become 4. They are trying something new out and that is…read moreMUCH appreciated. But there are a few challenges. First, they did a great job with this construction! It is a great improvement over the previous building and the building itself is unique. The murtis (God statues) are lovely. But I believe that they should not close the shrine for two hours in the middle of a Saturday. The gift shop was also closed. But the temple room looks neat and is quite large. FOOD: I went to the temple today in particular because they marketed a thali (combo platter) day on Facebook. The thalis were DELICIOUS! They did a Gujarati style one (likely to draw Swaminarayan Temple (BAPS) people. They did a South Indian style one (likely to draw HTGC and Balaji temple people). They also have their usual menu of South Indian snacks and pizza. My son had the Idli (fermented rice patty) and thought it was good. The sambhar (spiced soup) was very YUM. The biryani thali was very good and the biryani tasted like Shan spice biryani.. that is good. But service and price: it took 20 minutes to get my food and that was after I pushed a bit. Also, each thali was $16. That is not a lot for a thali at a restaurant... but it is for a thali at a temple. As comparison, the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Bartlett has a Gujarati that is so unbelievable delicious and costs under $10. So, I suggested the lower the price (while complimenting their chefs). If they keep doing the thalis, lower the prices and improve their service timing, I will change this to a 4 star (or better?). It is a good idea for them to have their normal menu and maybe one thali a weekend. Maybe one thali each weekend with a subji (curry) choice between two subjis? Just suggestions. Managing that many choices seems to be slowing them down a LOT. Anyway, ISKCON temples are known for their food. This is the only Chicagoland ISKCON temple with an all day kitchen, so I am REALLY hoping this gets a few adjustments! Cause it has great potential!

    Food here is truly blissful…read more On festivals they do have extended menu everything cooked in a sattvik manner. For custom orders and catering enquire staff within

    Photos
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    ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago - Sunday Feast Lecture

    ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago - ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago - Founder, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

    ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago - Founder, His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

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    ISKCON Temple of Greater Chicago - Temple Building and Campus

    BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicago - hindu_temples - Updated June 2026

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