BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

It is a relatively new Hindu temple in the Irving area just off 161 near W Walnut Hill and is established by the same BAPS Sanstha which has similar Mandirs all around the world. The construction is still going on and the garden and surrounding landscaping is still being worked on. It is not quite as grandiose as the one I’ve visited in London, nevertheless will give similar feel once you are inside. Architecturally, it quite doesn’t evoke the feeling of Mandir especially from outside as it lacks the crowning tower or similar shikhar like structures that is so closely related to the Mandir, nonetheless it provides a calming and Mandir-​like feel when you go there.
The soothing color and attractive marble floor, the high ceiling with big hanging lamps really gives a nice and cavernous feeling. The walls on the passageway are dotted with a brief introduction of Hinduism, spirituality, India’s contribution of science and spirituality and the Sanstha’s contribution in the well-​being of society through social services. You can just walk around the rectangular passageway and see the different wings of this Mandir. One side has a big basketball court, small classrooms and Priest’s room. The back side is for Swami’s room. That whole passageway is strangely off-​limit to ladies. The other wing have big conference rooms and banquets halls.
There are fewer deities here than in the DFW Hindu temple which are placed inside artistic wooden carvings. I still can’t fathom the placement of picture of the gurus whose teaching/​philosophies are fundamental to the temples together with the deities; I understand they are important but do we really have to place them there?
It also has a small store to buy sweets, statues of deities and other items that are associated with Mandir settings.
Like all Mandirs, they have some spiritual and community classes and when fully functional will be a nice place for Bhaktajans to visit.