Open to one and all, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was inaugurated in August of 2007 after only 17 months of construction time utilizing 1.3 Million volunteer hours. The Mandir is comprised of 3 types of stone (Turkish Limestone, Italian marble, and Indian pink sandstone). More than 34,000 individual pieces were carved by hand in India, shipped to the USA and assembled in Lilburn like a giant 3-D puzzle.
Enjoy hours of beauty, peace, and discovery at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lilburn, GA – a masterpiece of exquisite Indian design and workmanship. Marvel at the intricate marble carvings, participate in Hindu rituals or learn about the world’s oldest living faith – Hinduism. Whatever you prefer, you can plan and prepare for your visit here.
MANDIR VISIT
For Individuals & Families:
Mandir is open to all and entry is free. Individuals and families are not required to book their visit in advance. Visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. The best time to come and see are from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Audio Tour Guide: On arrival, please visit the Gift & Book Shop to get your Audio Tour Guide. Individuals and families can now take a stroll around and inside the beautiful Mandir as navigated by a fascinating audio tour facility. The Audio Tour Guide provides a detailed information about the various features of the Mandir. At your own pace, learn about the importance of a Hindu Mandir, the fascinating story of how the Mandir was built, the Hindu sentiments for each of the sacred images, the significance of Hindu rituals, the meaning behind certain architectural designs, and much more. The Audio Tour Guide is now available in English, Spanish, Chinese and German. Fees apply - $5.00/unit.
Guided Tours for Groups: A guided tour of the Mandir is provided to groups of 10+ people with advanced reservations Monday thru Saturday. For more information on guided tours for groups, visit our
Tour Reservations webpage.
NILKANTH VARNI ABHISHEK MANDAPAM
The Nilkanth Varni Abhishek Mandapam is located on the ground floor of the Mandir. This sacred part of the Mandir welcomes all visitors to participate in the ‘Abhishek’ ritual amidst the chanting of prayers and mantras. By participating in the ‘Abhishek’ ritual with devotion and faith, one’s personal prayers and inner wishes are fulfilled whether they be for oneself or for loved ones; good health, happiness, prosperity, peace, spiritual blessing or success in life and will experience peace. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, consecrated this murti of Nilkanth Varni in 2007.
Abhishek Mandapam times are:
9:00 am to 10:15 am, 11:35 am to 12:00 pm and 4:15 pm to 6:00 pm.
ARTI CEREMONY
One of the highlights of a visit to the Mandir is to witness the midday Arti ceremony performed daily at 11:15 am. It is an ancient Hindu offering made by waving lighted wicks before the sacred images to the accompaniment of a musical prayer. Many visitors have described the experience as awe-inspiring.
Please note, there are separate seating arrangements for men and women during the Arti ceremony. All visitors are requested to adhere to these arrangements during the Arti ceremony.
GIFT & BOOK SHOP (AKSHARPITH)
The Gift & Book Shop is filled with a wide selection of Mandir postcards, books on Hinduism, instrumental music CDs for meditation, herbal health products, and gifts for all ages, tastes and budgets.
SHAYONA SWEETS AND SNACK CENTER
Why not complete your visit with a meal at the Shayona food center? With its all-vegetarian cuisine, Shayona is the perfect way to experience some traditional and authentic tastes of India. You can select from various menu options for sit-down or to-go, including a wide selection of sweets and snacks. Shayona is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography or video for personal use maybe taken from ground level outside the Mandir only. We request visitors to help us maintain the sanctity of the Mandir by not taking any photography or video inside the Mandir. Please note that photography or video filming inside the mandir is strictly prohibited. Professional photography or photo sessions with any photography gear are not permitted.
DONATIONS
Visitors wishing to make donations towards the maintenance of the Mandir or to the charity work undertaken by BAPS in fields as diverse as education, environment, social relief, medicine, preserving heritage and spiritual upliftment are requested to utilize the donation boxes or contact the reception counter inside the Mandir. Checks can be made payable to BAPS. A tax receipt will be issued.
For additional information and visitors guidelines, visit General Information tab of this page.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Dress Code: All clothing must cover shoulders and knees (wraps provided). Please leave all personal belongings /backpacks inside your vehicle.
Conduct: Cell phones must be switched off inside the Mandir. Please observe silence and refrain from touching or leaning against the delicate carvings in the Mandir.
Photography and Videography: Photography for personal use maybe taken from ground level outside the Mandir only. No photography or video inside the Mandir. Professional photography or photo sessions with any photography gear are not permitted.
Food and Drinks: Please refrain from eating, drinking, and chewing gum or baby feeding inside the Mandir. Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the complex.
Accessibility: Facilities are wheelchair accessible. Please park strollers outside the Mandir.
Smoking: Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco products are prohibited anywhere in the complex.
Pets: No pets allowed within complex. (Service dogs allowed in most areas except sacred spaces used for prayer and meditation.)
For school or group reservations, please click here.
Management reserves the right to cancel or alter any visitor or close premises, in whole or part, without prior notice. Every effort will be made to avoid any inconvenience.
The Mandir is open to all visitors and entry is free of charge. Please allow at least 45 minutes for an enjoyable visit.
AUDIO TOUR
Individuals and families can now take a stroll around and inside the beautiful Mandir as navigated by a fascinating audio tour. The audio tour serves up spellbinding facts about the Mandir and insight on Hindu art, architecture and philosophy. The audio tour is available in English, Spanish, and German. On arrival, please visit the Gift & Book Shop to get your audio tour. Fees apply - $5.00/unit.
GROUP TOURS
Schools and groups (10+ people) are welcome to visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Advanced reservations are required for school and group visits in order to make your visit comfortable. Visits are also entertained on weekends and holidays subject to available visiting time slots. In order to schedule a group tour, please complete and submit the
Tour Reservation form so that we can accommodate your group.
THINGS TO NOTE
Seating Arrangements: There are separate seating arrangements for men and women inside the main floor during the Arti ceremony. All visitors are requested to adhere to these arrangements during the Arti ceremony. Please note that the Arti ceremony takes place at 11:15 am. Your tour guide will let you know if your visit coincides with the Arti ceremony.
Packed Lunch Arrangements: As the mandir is a sacred place of worship, food or drink items which contain meat, fish, eggs, animal products or alcohol are not allowed inside the complex. Therefore, if visitors have such products in their bags, they are requested to leave them behind in the bus, van, or car.
Murti Darshan Timings
Darshan is the profound experience of beholding and connecting with the divine through the sacred images in a mandir. It is a powerful experience that fosters a sense of awe, reverence, and spiritual realization. Following are timings when the murti darshan is open.
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Monday to Saturday
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Sunday
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9:00 am to 10:30 am
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9:00 am to 10:15 am
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11:15 am to 12:00 pm
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10:45 am to 12:00 pm
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4:00 pm to 5:45 pm
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2:30 pm to 5:45 pm
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Abhishek Timings
An abhishek is a special Hindu ritual, when united with deep faith and devotion, it is a sincere appeal for divine grace. Performed by gently pouring water over the murti, it is an offering, it is an expression of reverence, and a prayer for spiritual progress, peace, and fulfillment of wishes. Following are timings when abhishek is open.
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Monday to Saturday
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Sunday
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9:00 am to 10:30 am
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9:00 am to 10:15 am
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11:15 am to 12:00 pm
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10:45 am to 12:00 pm
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4:00 pm to 5:45 pm
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2:30 pm to 5:45 pm
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Arti Timings
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Rajbhog Arti
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Daily at 11:15 am
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Sandhya Arti
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Daily at 7:00 pm
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Weekly Assembly
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Bal Sabha
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Sunday 03:30 pm to 05:00 pm
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Balika Sabha
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Sunday 03:30 pm to 05:00 pm
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Kishore Sabha - K1 |
Sunday 03:30 pm to 05:00 pm |
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Kishori Sabha - K1 |
Sunday 03:30 pm to 05:00 pm |
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Kishore Sabha - K2
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Sunday 01:00 pm to 02:30 pm
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Kishori Sabha - K2
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Sunday 01:00 pm to 02:30 pm
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Yuvak Sabha
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Sunday 2:30 pm to 04:00 pm
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Yuvati Sabha
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Sunday 2:30 pm to 04:00 pm
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Satsang Sabha
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Sunday 3:00 pm to 05:00 pm
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Premvati Sabha
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Sunday 01:30 pm to 02:30 pm
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Gujarati Class |
Sunday 01:30 pm to 02:30 pm |