Did you know there was a building this beautiful in Illinois? Just outside of Chicago?
We visited a Hindu Mandir (temple) in Bartlett, IL and were blown away by the beauty of the building inside and out. The staff at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is incredibly friendly and provides free tours (we booked ahead online, which I recommend).
The tour is great for adults and provides a great information on the buildings and culture within the Mandir and community. If traveling with younger children, the tour may not be necessary. It was a bit long and we actually learned the perfect amount of information by asking questions of the staff in the gift shop (and walked away with a beautiful wooden elephant, which we learned symbolizes of wisdom)!
The community is very welcoming and we were able to participate in a religious ceremony. These happen frequently throughout the day, are roughly 8-10 minutes long, and all are welcome to attend.
As the time at the Mandir can be short, you can maximize your trip (if you traveling from the city), by adding another stop to your day. A few options nearby:
- Cosley Zoo (15 min away)
- K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts (20 min away)
- Tom's Farm Market (30 min away) <-- we chose this one
- Dress Code: Please be mindful of the attire restrictions to ensure access into the buildings (Mandir, Haveli, and exhibition).No Shorts, no sleeveless tops, dresses/skirts must be longer than knee length. Women can wear (provided) wraps if not dressed to code.
- Shoes: Shoes must be removed inside the Haveli and Mandir. Shoe racks are provided.
- Photo/Video Restrictions: Although everything inside you will scream to take a photo or video of the interiors of the building, please note it is prohibited.
- Snacks/Food: Save time to enjoy some good vegetarian, Indian dishes in their casual cafeteria-style area!
Can work for all ages, and can skip the tour for younger kids.
Location/Transportation:
Bartlett, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Free parking!
Kid's Jury: 4 stars
They didn't love the tour, but thought it was great to see the buildings and take part in the ceremony.
