The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu house of worship and more! Watch this reel to learn more about what you can do during your visit to the mandir.
For visitor guidelines, visit: /chicago (Link In Bio)
#bapschicago #baps #hindutemple #mandir #hinduism #aboutus
What does it mean to truly care for a community? Yogiji Maharaj — the fourth spiritual successor of Bhagwan Swaminarayan — answered that question through a lifetime of selfless love and quiet determination.
Today, we celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of Yogiji Maharaj. He wss a leader who saw beyond borders and believed that culture, faith, and identity were worth carrying across oceans. He inspired generations of Hindu families around the world to hold onto their traditions.
His vision gave rise to the BAPS children's and youth programs that remain at the heart of this Mandir today, where hundreds of young people gather every week to learn, connect, and grow!
⬅️ Swipe to read verses (stuti) dedicate to Yogiji Maharaj. These verses describe his virtues and his innate spiritual nature.
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#yogijimaharaj #yogijayanti #hindufestival #baps #bapschicago
⏳ 2️⃣ weeks to go - have you registered your family for the 2026 Spirit of Service Walk | Run yet?
Chicagoland! The annual BAPS Charities Walk | Run is just around the corner, and spots are filling up! Don't wait - register and join us in the #SpiritOfService. 🏃👟 Lunch and sports will follow the walk!
📍 Choose your location:
▶️ Bartlett Walk/Run - Saturday, May 30 @ McCaslin Park (West Chicago)
▶️ Chicago Walk/Run - Saturday, May 30 @ Laramie Park (Skokie)
🔗 Register for either event at: https://baps.sl/chi
❤️ Every participant that registers will support this year's incredible beneficiaries: @peoplesresourcecenter and @theharbour_
The clock is ticking - register your family, bring your friends, and let's stride together towards positive change. 💛
❓ Have questions about registration or the event? Drop us a DM (direct message) - we're happy to help!
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#BAPSCharities #BAPS #SpiritofService #Walk2026 #Walkathon #BAPSChicago
Matru Devo Bhava. This sanskrit phrase translates to: respect the mother as the divine. A mother is the first teacher, the first friend, and the first mentor for a child. Guiding their child through every phase in life, mothers impart values and teachings upon their children. With respect for their unconditional love, we bow our heads in gratitude, love, and respect to all mothers not just today, but every day.
Happy Mother's Day!
#MandirMoodMondays · “Believe that the greater a person’s tolerance, the greater that person’s powers.... The foundations of one who tolerates are immoveable.”
- Bhagwan Swaminarayan (Purushottam Bolya Prite)
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#MandirMoods #bapschicago #baps #chicago #mandir #chicagoarchitecture #hindutemple #travelillinois #visitchicago
On April 18, 2026, the BAPS Campus Fellowship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted its annual spring Campus Alumni Reunion. Alumni from Chicago and other cities traveled to attend this one-day event. The day welcomed over 30 students and alumni for an afternoon of networking, connection and reflection.
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion, in which alumni shared valuable perspectives on navigating college and professional careers - covering topics such as academic challenges, finding your village, career guidance and strengthening one's identity as a Hindu living on campus.
Following the discussion, the attendees walked around the campus town as alumni reminisced on their fondest memories.
The day concluded with the Hindu ritual of arti and a dinner discussion, reaffirming the value of having a community across every stage of life.
#BAPSChicago #BAPS #UIUC #BAPSCampusFellowship @illinois1867
🌎 This Earth Day, we celebrate the peacocks that grace the grounds of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Peacocks are living symbols of the beauty and divinity woven into the natural world.
🦚 Not only is it India's national bird, but the peacock holds a cherished place in Hindu tradition - associated with beauty, grace, and divinity.
A peacock feather crowns Bhagwan Shri Krishna, reflecting his beauty and divine playfulness.
Shri Kartikeyaji rides a peacock named Paravani, a symbol of grace and divine protection.
Shri Saraswatiji is accompanied by a peacock, representing creativity, beauty, and wisdom.
On this Earth Day, visit the Mandir and be inspired to preserve the beauty of our natural world!
📍 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bartlett, IL
🔗 Link in bio for visiting hours and visitor guidelines.
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#MandirMoods #bapschicago #baps #chicago #mandir #chicagoarchitecture #hindutemple #travelillinois #visitchicago
April 18 is International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), or World Heritage Day - a global reminder of the importance of preserving the cultural and natural landmarks that connects individuals to a shared history, roots, and the community.
This year's theme - Living Heritage - celebrates the traditions, knowledge, and practices that communities carry forward through generations.
At BAPS Chicago, your visit begins in the Swaminarayan Haveli.
A Haveli is a style of traditional Indian architecture that flourished across Gujarat and Rajasthan, characterized by a central open courtyard and profusely carved doors, windows, and balconies. Some of the most intricate Haveli craftsmanship found its early home in mandirs of the Swaminarayan tradition.
The Haveli is built from Burmese teakwood and inspired by the two Darbar Gopaldas Havelis of Vaso, Gujarat, originally built in the 1870s - a style popular in temples and mansions across central Gujarat.
Beyond its architecture, the campus is a living space where Hindu heritage is practiced every single day through daily rituals, celebration of festivals, and a tradition of passing down the stories of Hinduism through generations.
Come experience the space for yourself!
📍 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bartlett, IL
🔗 Link in bio for visiting hours and visitor guidelines.
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#MandirMoods #bapschicago #baps #chicago #mandir #chicagoarchitecture #hindutemple #travelillinois #visitchicago #IDMS2026 #icomosIDMS2026
Wishing everyone a joyous Puthandu & Vishu! 🌸✨ Today, Tamil and Malayali communities around the world welcome the New Year with joy, gratitude, and tradition.
Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, begins with the a carefully arranged display of auspicious items viewed first thing in the morning as a blessing for the year ahead.
Vishu, celebrated in Kerala, also centers around the Vishukkani, a beautiful arrangement of flowers, fruits and gold in front of Bhagwan Shri Krishna, meant to ensure a prosperous new year.
May the first sights of this new year bring you abundance, peace, and happiness. 🙏
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#Puthandu #Vishu #BAPSChicago #BAPS #hindufestivals
We were honored to welcome Revathi Kamath to the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir. Ms. Kamath is an environmentalist, philanthropist, veena artist and the founder of Calyx - a landscaping and organic farming enterprise.
During her visit, she addressed the Shri Swaminarayan Jayanti and Shri Ram Navami women's cultural program. She inspired all to take initiative in protecting our planet and contributing to a sustainable future.
She expressed deep appreciation for the beauty and serenity of the Mandir. Ms. Kamath commended the dedication of the volunteers and their spirit of selfless service to the community. Ms. Kamath also participated in the abhishek ceremony with her family and friends. During this time prayers were offered for her well-being and continued success in her philanthropic initiatives.
We thank Ms. Kamath for visiting the Mandir and sharing her experiences!
#BAPSChicago #BAPS
On April 4-5, 2026, hundreds of women of all ages came together to joyously celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Shri Ram! This cultural program was crafted by women, for women!
Centered on the theme "Preme Pragatya Re,” the cultural program highlighted the virtues and values of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Shri Ram.
Women of all ages offered their devotion through a vibrant cultural program featuring bhajans, dances, skits, and inspiring speeches.
We thank all the participants and volunteers for their selfless efforts!
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#hindufestival #hinduism #celebration #bapschicago #baps #ramnavami #swaminarayanjayanti
On March 28-29, 2026, hundreds came together to joyously celebrate the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Shri Ram! The weekend was filled with various cultural programs to inspire all who visited the mandir.
Centered on the theme "Enduring Family Values," the cultural celebration highlighted stories of family harmony, forgiveness and positivity from the lives of Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan and Bhagwan Shri Ram.
The children and youth of BAPS performed inspiring skits, devotional music and dance to bring these messages to life. Spiritual discourses inspired the attendees to pledge to connect with one's family on a weekly basis.
We thank all the participants and volunteers for their selfless efforts to make this a divine weekend!
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#hindufestival #hinduism #celebration #bapschicago #baps #ramnavmi #swaminarayanjayanti
