The Pavillon de l’Arsenal, a leading centre for urban and architectural exhibitions in Paris, is currently presenting “Sacred Places: Building, Celebrating, Coexisting,” an exhibition exploring the theme of sanctity in the context of architecture, religion, nature, and its evolving role in modern society. Among the featured exhibits is BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, Paris, the upcoming Hindu mandir designed according to ancient Indian architectural traditions that is situated in a contemporary, multifaith European setting.
The exhibition, being hosted by Pavillon de l’Arsenal at Espace Notre-Dame, located underneath the recently restored iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, explores the “many forms that the sacred takes today” through various perspectives “combining history, geography and sociology.” It encourages discussion on the role of sacred spaces in contemporary cities and how they continue to shape architectural and cultural landscapes.
The Mandir is featured through various visual mediums – a framed exhibit on the wall, a spatial blueprint on the floor, and a detailed account in the accompanying exhibition book, Lieux Sacrés. The blueprint on the floor, alongside other architectural landmarks of Paris, such as the Pantheon and Notre-Dame Cathedral, highlights the significance of the Mandir to the people of Paris.
The exhibition also recognises the location of the Mandir on the unique Esplanade des Religions et des Cultures in the Parisian district of Bussy-Saint-Georges. Sitting alongside other places of worship, the Mandir plays an important role with other faith communities in promoting interfaith harmony and serving as a beacon of diversity, inclusivity, and cooperative coexistence.
BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir is being crafted using centuries-old techniques, with stone sourced and intricately carved in India before being transported to France, where it will be assembled in Paris by expert French contractors working alongside skilled Indian artisans. This innovative, collaborative method of constructing the Mandir demonstrates how religious architecture continues to evolve while staying connected to its historical roots.
Mathieu Lours, a distinguished French historian of architecture and the curator of Sacred Places, commented on the significance of the Mandir’s inclusion in the exhibition. He explained, “We have created [Sacred Places]… to highlight all the sacred buildings that are not necessarily historical monuments, but that deserve recognition because they give meaning to places and bring beauty to them.”
Marion Waller, Director of the Pavillon de l’Arsenal, reflected on the broader themes of the exhibition: “The sacred manifests itself in many buildings, which you can see in this exhibition – both religious buildings and non-religious sacred sites, such as places of remembrance, places dedicated to death, and nature.”
Sanjay Kara, a trustee of BAPS UK & Europe, shared, “It is an honour for BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir to be a part of the Sacred Places exhibition and already be considered a valued part of Paris’s religious landscape. To be included alongside such iconic Parisian landmarks, both religious and non-religious, also reflects its architectural and cultural significance. We are grateful that the Mandir is able to represent the Hindu community within Paris’s rich and diverse artistic and architectural heritage. This exhibition provides a wonderful platform to share the values of peace, devotion, and sanctity that are integral to the creation and functioning of the Mandir.”
The Sacred Places exhibition will run until 31 May 2025 at the Espace Notre-Dame in central Paris, inviting visitors to discover the history, significance, and artistry behind sacred buildings from various traditions.
To learn more about
Sacred Places, the
Pavillon de l’Arsenal, and the
Esplanade des Religions et des Cultures, please follow the respective links.
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