Our city of Chino is home to countless experiences for residents and visitors, from restaurants to museums there is always something to do. The Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful temple off the 71 freeway. The building is visually stunning and the closer that you get to the temple, the more you are able to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship.
History of BAPS
BAPS is an abbreviation for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha. The BAPS religion is a Hindu denomination that is a, "spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service."
Construction of the Temple
Though construction of the temple began in 2000, the temple was not completed until 2012. The temple was built with: 35,000 individual carved pieces of Carrara Marble and Indian Pink Sandstone, 122 hand-carved pillars, 2 intricately carved domes, and 6,600 hand crafted motifs and images. The attention to detail put into this building is astounding. There were over 1,500 Indian craftsman required to build the necessary pieces and a total of 1.5 million hours poured into this building. Each of the hand carved motifs tells a beautiful tale of the religion. But as with any construction project, there were unforeseen complications that had to be overcome. One of which was that the city of Chino Hills is on an active fault line, which is especially tricky with a stone temple being constructed. The temple had to be able to withstand a severe earthquake and be able to protect its visitors and members. Mr. Jagdish Patel, a construction manager remembers, “The foundation was designed as a mat, three feet thick and covering the entire footprint of the temple. It is reinforced with #9 fiberglass rebar, which is 1-1/8" in diameter." This along with many other features was what made the construction of the temple possible.
About the Temple
The temple has multiple buildings in the compound. The Mandir is a place of worship and prayer for followers of Hinduism. The Mandir is built according to the Shilpa Shastra, a collection of architectural treatises that have been used for thousands of years. There are many sacred imaged and ceremonies that "elevate the soul to the pinnacle of God-realization". Directly across from the Mandir is a 91 foot lotus shaped refection pond and fountain. Adjacent to the Mandir is the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is a traditional wooden Haveli. This style of building is characterized by the woodworking and a central open courtyard. Through the Welcome Center you will be able to find Gift and Book Shop and Shayona Sweets and Snack Shop.
Visiting the Temple
The temple is open to visitors daily from 9:00 am till 7:30 pm. The dress code is that all clothing must cover your shoulders and knees, wraps are provided and they ask that all personal belongings/backpacks are left inside the car. You may enter the Mandir, but you must remove your footwear before entering. There are various rules on when and where you can take photos so please ask before taking a picture of this stunning Temple.
Chino Hills Self Storage
At Chino Hills Self Storage, we truly love BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Chino Hills. In fact, we are very close neighbors! This georgeous temple is located just 0.3 miles (7 minute walk) from our self storage facility. Here at Chino Hills Self Stoarge, we truly love our local community and neighbors.
Here at Chino Hills Self Storage, we support all religions and faiths. And, we are here to help with your worship needs. Do you have extra tables, chairs, and supplies related to your church or temple? Consider Chino Hills Self Storage for your self storage needs. As your local, neighborhood self storage facility, we are here for you. Come check out all of the various options we have for storage, including drive-up self-storage units, and interior units. Whatever your storage needs are, we have a solution that is perfect for you! We cannot wait to exceed your self storage expectations!
