A Place of Peace

One of the continent’s most magnificent Hindu temples invites visitors to look, learn, and reflect

BY BLAKE GUTHRIE

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t first glance, Lilburn seems like a lot of other quiet metro Atlanta suburban towns with its schools, shopping centers, places of worship, and a quaint downtown in the midst of revitalization. But it also houses something you won’t find anywhere else in the region, a gleaming Hindu monument of towering white spires so different in design from the surrounding landscape that it makes you stop and take notice. Don’t just gawk; head inside. All are welcome at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

Set on 30 acres of delicately landscaped grounds, the mandir—one of the largest Hindu temples in North America—dazzles the eye and soothes the soul. Touted as “a place of paramount peace,” it has drawn comparisons to the Taj Mahal. Experiencing it in person, it’s easy to see why this masterpiece of design and craftsmanship inspires awe. It’s also a feat of engineering.

Dedicated in 2007, the 30,000-squarefoot structure took only 17 months to construct by a team of community volunteers. More than 34,000 blocks of Turkish limestone and Italian Carrara marble were meticulously hand-carved in India in accordance with ancient scripture, then shipped to Lilburn and put together piece by piece like an oversized 3-D puzzle.

The carvings depict important figures of Hinduism and tales of inspiration and devotion. A self-guided audio tour is available for just $5, enhancing your visit with explanations of the deities and the mandir’s story. You can also witness an important ceremony called Arti, when the swamis wave lighted wicks before sacred images called Murtis while singing a musical prayer, and participate in the Abhishek ritual to ask for blessings of health and happiness.

After such a feeding of the soul, complete your visit by nourishing your body at the Shayona food center, where traditional vegetarian Indian meals are served.

Plan a Visit

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is open daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. To witness or participate in the swami rituals, the best times to visit are between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Abhishek takes place during these time periods, while the Arti ceremony starts at 11:15 a.m.) Visitors are required to remove and stow their shoes upon entering. No shorts or skirts above the knee or sleeveless tops are permitted; wraps are provided. Photography is allowed outside from the ground level only; no inside photography. Admission is free (donations are appreciated), but stop by the visitor center for the worthwhile self-guided audio tour, which costs $5. Visit baps.org/atlanta for more details.