Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Chicago
9 October 2004
Saturday morning I was sitting in front of my computer still in a bath robe, sipping coffee and surfing the internet. The phone rang. It was Dave from a couple of blocks over, “Hey, do you want to drive up to Bartlett today?” he said. “To go to the new Temple, right?” I queried. Well, of course I did! Its consecration and grand opening in August was a huge media event locally. So we made a date for early that afternoon. Joey was helping another neighbor clean out the gutters on his house in preparation for winter and Dave’s wife was away for her annual ‘girls-only’ weekend. So it was just the two of us.
The Village of Bartlett, way out in the northwest ‘burbs, is home to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chicagoland’s newest house of worship cum tourist attraction. Opened just 2 months ago the traditional Hindu Mandir (temple) is the largest in North America. The Mandir is Phase 2 of a multi-phase project which is poised to become the largest Hindu Temple outside of India. Phase 1 saw the completion of the Haveli, a large cultural and education center. The Haveli, completed in 2000, is itself a large, imposing, cinder-block type building with the most beautiful hand carved wooden awnings, balconies and doors. But the showpiece is the Mandir itself.
The 22,442 sq. ft. Mandir is formed on the outside of nearly 8½ thousand tons of gleaming white Turkish limestone, shipped to India for traditional, intricate carving and then imported to Chicago for assembly and final touchup. The smallest stone is 15 grams the largest comes in at a hefty 5.2 tons. The Mandir was constructed using ancient and sacred techniques, no iron or steel was used! The site is truly breathtaking!
The newest piece being constructed (as of this writing) is the traditional formal gate and archway in front of the Mandir. Two groups of artisans, using traditional tools, are carving each piece of limestone by hand. It’s fascinating to watch their delicate work!
And this is just the outside!
Presently, to enter the Mandir one must use the visitor’s entrance at the back of the Haveli. An underground tunnel linking you to the Mandir serves as a pseudo educational exhibition. The walls of the tunnel are lined with large prints extolling India’s contributions to religion, science, technology and tourism. It’s definitely informative and worth looking over.
The Mandir’s interior, constructed of Italian and Indian marble, is a site to behold! Intricate carvings abound from floor to ceiling. Don’t forget to look up. The ceiling is a phenomenal work of art itself! The most important deities are set in prayer niches along the walls. The faithful circle the interior praying and prostrating themselves before the gods. They don’t seem to mind the tourists at all. Just remember to be deferential to the worshipers; theirs is a more noble purpose than mere tourism.
Photos can be taken anywhere outside on the temple grounds, but is strictly forbidden – as are your shoes – inside the Haveli and Mandir. Just think how obnoxious cameras would be if you were trying to pray! As of this writing videos, postcards and brochures detailing both the inside and outside of the entire complex are in the works. They will be made available in the Haveli’s gift shop in the near future.
There is no public transportation to the Mandir, you’ll have to drive; plenty of parking is available. From downtown Chicago it’s about 37 miles west. Once you arrive, allot about 3 to 4 hours to walk the grounds and to see the Haveli and Mandir. Visit their homepage on the Swaminarayan (the name of their Hindu sect) website. It gives complete details on construction, visitor information including hours, decorum and directions to the Mandir from throughout Chicagoland. It’s a good idea to call ahead and listen to the recording for any special events or a change in operating hours.
Chicago’s homepage:
<a href="http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/america/chicago.htm" target="_blank">http://www.swaminarayan.org/globalnetwork/...ica/chicago.htm</A>
The official website of this Hindu sect:
<a href="http://www.swaminarayan.org/" target="_blank">http://www.swaminarayan.org/</A>
Phone:
1-630-213 2277
Click this link for photos
