Houston
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
1150 Brand Lane,
Stafford, TX 77477. USA
Tel: (1-281) 765-2277
Fax: (1-281) 765 2278
Email: info.houston@usa.baps.org
Website: http://houston.baps.org

Significance:
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston is the first 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. Limestone from Turkey and marble from Italy was shipped to India where it was hand-carved. More than 33,000 carved pieces were shipped from India to Houston to build such a beautiful Mandir. The Mandir opened to devotees, well-wishers, and visitors after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony performed by His Divine Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj on July 25, 2004.


Mandir Facts:

· Stones:

• Outside: Turkish limestone (29,000 cu. ft.)
• Inside: Italian marble from Italy (22,000 cu. ft.)
• Total: 3826 tonnes
• Size: Smallest stone 15 gm to largest stone of 5.2 tonnes.

Features:

• 5 Pinnacles (Shikhar)
• 1 Central Dome (22 ft. in diameter)
• 11 Small Domes
• 136 Pillars ( 7 Unique designs)
• 70 ceilings (24 Unique designs)
• 4 Small Pinnacles (Saamran)
• 11 Garba Gruha
• 122 Arches (Kamaan)

· Infrastructure:

• Approximately 33,000 stone pieces
• 51,000 cu. ft total stone structure
• No iron or steel used
• 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 and the Exhibition

Dress code:
No shorts or skirts shorter than knee length. No sleeveless tops.
Shoes:
All visitors must remove their footwear prior to entering the Mandir.
Photography and Videography:
Photos and videos may be taken from ground level outside the Mandir for personal use only. Photography and videography inside the Mandir is strictly prohibited.
Food and drink:
No food or drinks are allowed on the Mandir. Please discard any chewing gum prior to entering the gates.
Mobile Phones:
Please turn off mobile phones prior to entering the Mandir. 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. To maintain the spiritual atmosphere observe silence inside the Mandir.
Security:
All bags and cameras should be left in your vehicle before going to visit the Mandir.
Group and School Visits:
For group visit, call 281-765-2277 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.

Explanation: Mandir - Place of Worship.
Murti - Sacred images of God and Saints.
Darshan - Seeing the Deity with reverence.
Aarti - Prayer of Lights.

Visiting Hours
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 am to 8:45 pm

Daily Schedule

 
Weekly Schedule

Annual Festival 2010

Direction
From Highway 59 (North or South):
1. Take Kirkwood exit.
2 . If you are coming from 59 South make a right off the exit.
3 . If you are coming from 59 North make a left off the exit.
4 . Proceed 0.5 mile on Kirkwood. Pass railroad and make left turn on Alt. 90.
5 . Turn right on Brand Lane (very first street)
6 . Keep coming on Brand Lane till it nearly ends.
7 . You will see the Mandir on right hand side.

From William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
1. From airport exit Turn Left onto Airport Blvd.
2. Turn left onto Telephone RD/TX-35 South.
3. Turn right onto Beltway 8/South Sam Houston Parkway
4. Merge onto Beltway 8 South (Portions toll).
5. Take the exit toward South Main Street /US-90.
6. Turn left onto South Main Street/US 90.
7. Turn left onto Avenue E for 1.3 miles.
8. Turn right onto Brand Lane.
9. Mandir Complex will be on the left hand side.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH)
1. Start out going West on Terminal Road North towards Airport Exit.
2. Turn slight right onto John F. Kennedy (J.F.K.) Blvd.
3. Take the Beltway 8 West ramp toward I-45.
4. Merge onto Beltway 8 via the ramp- on the left- toward I-45(Portions toll).
5. Make a right onto US 59 S, enter ramp.
6. Take the Kirkwood Dr./West Airport Blvd exit.
7. Make a left onto Kirkwood Dr.
8. Cross the railroad tracks and make a left onto US-90 ALT/Main St.
9. Make a right onto Brand Lane and continue for 1.3 miles.
10. Mandir complex will be on the right hand side.

From Hwy-6 and US-90 ALT
1. Head down US-90 ALT E towards US-59.
2. Pass US-59 and at Dulles Avenue make a right.
3. Make a left onto Avenue E.
4. Make a left onto Brand Lane.
5. Mandir Complex will be on the left hand side.

From Hwy-6 and Murphy Rd/FM 1092
1. From Hwy-6, take FM 1092 towards US-90 ALT/Main St.
2. Make a left onto Avenue E.
3. Make a right onto Brand Lane.
4. Mandir Complex will be on the left hand side.

From Rosenberg
1. Travel US-59 North
2. Take the Kirkwood Dr./West Airport Blvd exit.
3. Make a right on Kirkwood Dr.
4. Cross the Railroad tracks and make a left onto US-90 ALT/Main St.
5. Make a right onto Brand Lane and continue for 1.3 miles.
6. Mandir complex will be on the right hand side.

From Katy
1. Take I-10 East towards Beltway 8.
2. Take the Beltway 8 exit and bear right for Beltway 8 S.
3. Take the US-59 S exit.
4. Take the Kirkwood Dr./West Airport Blvd exit.
5. Make a left onto Kirkwood Dr.
6. Cross the Railroad tracks and make a left onto US-90 ALT/Main St.
7. Make a right onto Brand Lane and continue for 1.3 miles.
8. Mandir complex will be on the right hand side.

From Channel View
1. Travel I-10 West until US-59.
2. Take the US-59 South.
3. Take the Kirkwood Dr./West Airport Blvd exit.
4. Make a left onto Kirkwood Dr.
5. Cross the Railroad tracks and make a left onto US-90 ALT/Main St.
6. Make a right onto Brand Lane and continue for 1.3 miles.
7. Mandir complex will be on the right hand side.

From Galveston
1. Travel on US-45 North
2. Take the Beltway 8 S/W exit and bear left.
3. Merge onto Beltway 8 (Portions toll).
4. Make a left onto US-90 ALT/Main St.
5. Make a left onto Avenue E going 1.3 miles.
6. Make a right on to Brand Lane.
7. Mandir Complex will be on the left hand side.