Is this Hidden Gem on your Houston Bucket List?
Went adventuring a bit and fell down a rabbit hole into another world…
Today I’ll be sharing a bit about a visit I made to this stunning Temple hidden away in Southwest Houston, TX.
Where is this hidden place?
Hidden away in Stafford, TX is a beautiful Hindu Temple called the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. With stunning architecture, dreamy design and a welcoming staff, this shrine and temple has beauty and mystique that even the most exhausted wanderer can't help but find rest in.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu temple built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. It’s made of marble and was custom built from over 33,000 custom individual pieces created and shipped from India.
The fact that this beauty even exists in Texas was a delightful surprise. I couldn’t wait to see if it was as stunning in person as it was from the pictures I had seen, and I must say, it did not disappoint!
The level of attention to detail is incredible to say the least. I could get lost here for days just trying to interpret the carvings.
All the Details
You can visit most anytime - The Mandir is available for public tours daily from 7:30am to 8:45pm. You can wander freely outside, enjoying the intricate buildings with stunning hand designed elements.
As a visitor from outside the faith, I did not enter the Mandir itself as it is a Temple of active worship, and I wanted to be respectful. Again, you can go inside, I just personally chose not to do so out of respect. If you do choose to visit and decide you want to see inside, make sure to read up on the proper attire beforehand so that you aren’t unprepared.
The people that work for and manage the Temple are very kind, and there are signs on the premises that allow and even encourage photos outside the Mandir (not within).
In a little shop right by the temple, there is a little cafe where visitors can grab a delicious ginger lemonade (I highly recommend) and an authentic Hindu meal or bites for the road.
Why You Should Visit
I encourage you to visit- you won’t regret it! It’s a very small experience of the greatness that is the Hindu culture.
So often we stay within our bubble in life. By that, I mean that we are all somewhat trained to be creatures of habit. We buy the same groceries, we talk to the same people, we drive to the same places, we buy from the same stores.
How often do we question these habits? How often do we step outside of our own worlds that we have created and take a peek at someone else’s? Experience another culture? Travel to another country, and really be there, not as tourists, but as travelers?
With everything going on in the world today, it’s more important than ever to expose yourself to different ways of thinking. It’s the only way you’ll ever have wisdom. And wisdom is sorely needed in the world right now.
To be able to truly see requires learning what to look at. I encourage you all to be seekers.
Til next time.
