The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn

Monday, January 11, 2016

If you drive down Jimmy Carter Blvd. into Lilburn it is really hard to miss the amazing architecture of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. I can no longer count the number of times I have passed the temple and said to myself, I should stop in there and check that out. I no longer have to tell myself that.

Monday evening I headed down that well known stretch of road and actually stopped to explore the grounds. I now just have to kick myself for not doing it sooner. The mandir was built in 2007 after only 17 months of construction time and utilizing 1.3 million volunteer hours. Yes volunteer. Standing with tradition, the Hindu community at large all pitches in to help create the beautiful structure that stands as the temple for the southeast region of the U.S. More than 34,000 individual pieces were carved by hand in India, shipped to the United States and assembled in Lilburn like a giant 3-D puzzle.

The grounds and mandir itself are gorgeous but they pale in comparison to the inside. Photos are not allowed so you will have to take my word for it. Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. The detail and care that was taken in the construction of this Hindu jewel is unbelievable.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

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The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn on Monday, January 11, 2016.