Chicago
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
4N739 IL Route 59,
Bartlett, IL 60103.
USA
Tel: (1-630) 213 2277
Fax: (1-630) 213 2088

Significance:
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chicago is the largest traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States. Created entirely according to ancient Hindu architectural manuscripts known as the Shilpa-Shastras and meeting all the modern regulations of today, it was constructed in a mere 16 months starting from the day its first stone was laid. Lime stone from Turkey and marble from Italy was shipped to India and carved along with Makrana marble from India. Carved pieces were shipped from India to Chicago to build such a beautiful Mandir. The Mandir opened to devotees, well-wishers, and visitors after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony performed by the hands of His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj on August 8, 2004. The adjoining cultural center, known as the Haveli, was opened in October of 2000 and is a revival of wooden craftsmanship. Traditionally, Haveli means courtyard architecture - an architectural style fashioned from wood, involving intricate carving.

Mandir Facts:

• Dimensions:
  Total land: 30 acres
  Mandir: 22442 sq. ft.
  Height: 78 ft.
  Width: 112 ft.
  Length: 213 ft.
• Stones:
  Outside: Turkish Lime stone 42842 Cu. Ft.
  Inside: Italian marble from Italy (32808 cu. Ft.)and Makrana marble from India 4850 cu. Ft.
  Total: 8430 tones.
  Size: Smallest stone 15 gm to largest stone of 5.2 tones.
• Features:
  5 Pinnacles (shikhara)
  1 Central Dome (22 ft. in dia.)
  16 Domes
  4 Balconies
  14 Windows
  151 Pillars
  75 ceilings with 39 different designs
  4 Small Pinnacles (Samaram)
  129 Arches (Toran)
• Infrastructure:
  40,000 stone pieces
  85,000 cu. Ft total stone structure
  No Iron or Steel used
  Central heating and cooling
  Under floor heating with Gel tubing
  Fiber optic lighting

General Guidelines:
The Mandir is a house of God. It is very sacred; hence all visitors are required to abide by the following rules and regulations applicable to all areas including the Mandir, Haveli and the Exhibition

Dress code:
No shorts or skirts shorter than knee length. No sleeveless tops.

Shoes:
All visitors must remove their shoes when they enter the Mandir or Cultural center (Haveli) complex. (Shoe racks provided within the complex)

Photography and Videography:
Photos and Videos may be taken from ground level outside the Mandir and Haveli for personal use only. Photography & videography inside the building is strictly prohibited.

Food and drink:
No food or drinks are allowed on the premises. Please discard any chewing gum prior to entering the complex.

Mobile Phones:
Please turn off mobile phones prior to entering the premises. Any mobile phones with cameras must be left in your car.

Smoking:
No smoking on the premises including parking lots. Please dispose of cigarettes prior to entering the gates.

Conduct:
Please refrain from touching the delicate carvings within the Mandir premises. To maintain the spiritual atmosphere observe silence inside the Mandir.

Security:
All bags and cameras should be left at the security office after entering the Mandir. Remember to collect your items when you leave.

Group and School Visits:
For group visit, call 630-213-2277 to arrange a guided tour of the complex.

PLEASE NOTE:
The management reserves the right to refuse admission to those who are not following the guidelines and to those who are inappropriately dressed.

Daily Schedule:

Annual Festival 2007

Direction
1. Direction From O'Hare Airport
a. From Airport exit, continue on I-190 East to Chicago
b. Take I-90 West (Rockford) for 25 miles (approx)
c. Pass Elmhurst Rd, Roselle Rd and Barrington Rd.
d. Take Route 59 exit
e. Take left onto Route 59 (traffic light) going south for 8 miles (approx)
f. Pass Golf Rd, Streams Rd and Schick Rd.
g. Pass Army Trail Rd (traffic light) (stay in the left lane)
h. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

2. Direction From Midway Airport
a. From Airport, Take Left turn (going North) onto Cicero Ave (Rt. 50)
b. Pass 55th Street and watch for I-55 South
c. Take I-55 South and watch for I-355 North
d. Take I-355 North toll way
e. Take Route 64 (North avenue) exit
f. Take left onto Route 64 (North Ave) continue west for 8 miles (approx)
g. Pass Gary Ave, County Farm Rd and Prince Crossing Rd.
h. Take right on Route 59 (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 miles
i. Pass Smith Road (traffic light)
j. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

3. From Far North West suburbs
a. Interstate 90 East
b. Take Route 59 exit
c. Right on Route 59 (traffic light) going south for 8 miles (approx)
d. Pass Golf Rd, Stearns Rd and Schick Rd
e. Pass Army Trail Rd (traffic light) (stay in the left lane)
f. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

4. From North suburbs
a. Interstate 355 South Or 290 East Or 53 South
b. Take Army Trail Road exit
c. Right on Army Trail Rd (traffic light) going west for 9 miles (approx)
d. Pass Gary Ave, County Farm Rd and Petersdorf Rd
e. Take left on Route 59 (going south) (stay in the left lane)
f. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

5. Direction from Chicago City and East suburbs
a. Interstate 90/94 west (towards O'Hare Airport)
b. Keep on I- 90 west towards Rockford for 25 miles (approx)
c. Pass Elmhurst Rd, Roselle Rd and Barrington Rd
d. Take Route 59 exit
e. Left onto Route 59 (traffic light) going south for 8 miles (approx)
f. Pass Golf Rd, Stearns Rd and Schick Rd
g. Pass Army Trail Rd (traffic light) (stay in the left lane)
h. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

6. Direction from South suburbs
a. Take Interstate 355 north
b. Take Route 64 (North avenue) exit
c. Take left onto Route 64 (North Ave) continue west for 8 miles (approx)
d. Pass Gary Ave, County Farm Rd and Prince Crossing Rd.
e. Take right onto Route 59 (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 miles
f. Pass Smith road (traffic light)
g. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

7. Direction from Far South suburbs
a. Take IL Route 59 (north)
b. Pass 75th street, I-88, IL56 and IL38
c. Pass Route.64 (North Ave) (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 mile
d. Pass Smith Rd (traffic light)
e. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

8. Direction from West suburbs
a. Take IL Route 31 North
b. Right on Route 64(North Ave) going east for 6 miles (approx)
c. Left on Route 59 (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 miles
d. Pass Smith road (traffic light)
e. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

9. Direction from Ohio, Indiana, etc
a. Take I-80/94 West To Chicago
b. Exit I-80 WEST (Iowa)
c. Exit I-294 North (Wisconsin)
d. Exit I-88 WEST
e. Exit RT 59
f. Turn Right at Exit on IL RT 59 (North)
g. Pass Route.64 (North Ave) (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 mile
h. Pass Smith Rd (traffic light)
i. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

10. Direction from Milwaukee, Greenbay, Gurnee
a. Take I-94 South To I – 294 South (Indiana)
b. Take I-90 WEST ( Rockford)
c. Take Route 59 exit
d. Left onto Route 59 (traffic light) going south for 8 miles(approx)
e. Pass Golf Rd, Stearns Rd and Schick Rd
f. Pass Army Trail Rd (traffic light) (stay in the left lane)
g. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

11. Direction from St.Louis, Kansas, Peoria Springfield
a. Take I-55 North
b. Exit RT 59 North Exit 251.
c. Drive about 33 miles
d. Pass Route.64 (North Ave) (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 mile
e. Pass Smith Rd (traffic light)
f. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

12. Direction from Minnesota, Portland, Oregon, Washington, Dakota, Idaho etc.
a. Take I-90 East,
b. Exit for Route-59,
c. Right onto Route 59 (traffic light) going south for 8 miles (approx)
d. Pass Golf Rd, Stearns Rd and Schick Rd
e. Pass Army Trail Rd (traffic light) (stay in the left lane)
f. Within 300 feet turn left into BAPS Complex

13. Directions from Iowa
a. Take 88 East (towards Chicago)
b. Exit Route 59
c. Left onto Route 59 (traffic light) going north for 10 miles (approx)
d. Pass Route.64 (North Ave) (traffic light) continue north for 1.5 mile
e. Pass Smith Rd (traffic light)
f. Within half a mile turn right into BAPS Complex

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