Swaminarayan Temples Outside India

Global Presence

Swaminarayan temples, rooted in the teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, are spiritual and cultural landmarks that blend intricate architecture with profound devotion. Built by various branches of the Swaminarayan tradition—most notably BAPS—they serve as sanctuaries for prayer, learning, and community service. These temples, found across India and around the globe, symbolize peace, discipline, and timeless Hindu values.

There are several Swaminarayan temples outside India, and many of them are not only real good, but spectacular in design, community outreach, and spiritual vibrancy. Most of these are built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, which has established grand temples (mandirs) across the globe.

Here are some of the most remarkable Swaminarayan temples outside India:

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

1. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London (Neasden Temple)

  • Why it’s famous: One of the most iconic Hindu temples in the West.
  • Highlights:
    • First traditional Hindu temple in Europe (opened in 1995).
    • Made with Italian Carrara marble and Bulgarian limestone.
    • Entirely hand-carved in India and assembled in London.
    • Has a beautiful cultural exhibition and a large community outreach wing.
    • Visited by royalty and global dignitaries.

🇺🇸 United States of America

2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta (Lilburn, Georgia)

  • Why it’s famous: One of the largest Hindu temples in North America.
  • Highlights:
    • Made with Turkish limestone and Italian marble, hand-carved in India.
    • The intricate carvings and peaceful setting make it a must-visit.
    • Community events, spiritual discourses, and volunteer programs.

3. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville, New Jersey

  • Why it’s famous: Among the largest Hindu temples in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Highlights:
    • A part of the Akshardham Mahamandir complex under construction.
    • Hand-carved Italian marble.
    • It is set to become an iconic center for spirituality and Indian culture in the U.S.

🇨🇦 Canada

4. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Toronto

  • Why it’s famous: A spiritual and architectural landmark.
  • Highlights:
    • Built using traditional Indian methods.
    • Inaugurated in 2007.
    • Beautiful Ghar Mandir (inner sanctum) with delicate carvings.
    • Huge cultural center and exhibition area.

🇿🇦 South Africa

5. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Lenasia (Johannesburg)

  • Why it’s famous: A prominent center for the Indian community.
  • Highlights:
    • Traditional design with vibrant community involvement.
    • Holds regular spiritual events and cultural programs.

🇦🇺 Australia

6. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sydney

  • Why it’s famous: A growing hub for the Swaminarayan community.
  • Highlights:
    • Reflects traditional temple architecture.
    • Strong youth and community programs.

Other countries with beautiful Swaminarayan temples:

Here’s a detailed look at some beautiful Swaminarayan temples in other countries. Each of these stands as a beacon of Indian culture, spiritual wisdom, and architectural beauty in its respective country.

🇰🇪 Kenya

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Nairobi

  • Why it’s notable: One of the oldest and most vibrant Swaminarayan temples in Africa.
  • Highlights:
    • Established in 1945, renovated by BAPS later.
    • A spiritual and cultural hub for the Indian diaspora.
    • Hosts large festivals like Diwali, Janmashtami, and Swaminarayan Jayanti with community participation.
    • Impressive design with intricate carvings and well-maintained spaces for satsangs and youth activities.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Mombasa

  • Why it’s notable: A beautifully maintained coastal temple.
  • Highlights:
    • Offers spiritual solace and community engagement in Kenya’s coastal region.
    • Regular katha-varta (discourses), bhajan evenings, and seva programs.
    • A favorite venue for both devotees and tourists interested in Indian culture.

🇹🇿 Tanzania

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Dar es Salaam

  • Why it’s notable: One of East Africa’s key centers for the Swaminarayan tradition.
  • Highlights:
    • The temple features traditional architecture with modern facilities.
    • The spiritual and cultural heartbeat of the Gujarati and Indian Hindu community in Tanzania.
    • Active youth wing, regular weekly sabhas, and social service initiatives.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi (Under Construction)

  • Why it’s historic: The first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East.
  • Highlights:
    • Foundation stone laid in 2019; construction is progressing swiftly.
    • Being built using traditional Indian craftsmanship with stone hand-carved in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
    • Will include prayer halls, community centers, classrooms, exhibitions, and a spiritual garden.
    • Symbolizes religious harmony in the Gulf; supported by both Indian and Emirati governments.
    • Once completed, it will be a landmark for Hindu faith in the Islamic world.

🇫🇯 Fiji

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Suva

  • Why it’s notable: A cherished place of worship for the large Indo-Fijian community.
  • Highlights:
    • The temple supports religious, cultural, and educational needs of the Hindu community.
    • Hosts major Hindu festivals and spiritual discourses.
    • Helps in preserving cultural identity for Indians who settled in Fiji during the colonial era.

🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Longdenville

  • Why it’s special: A key spiritual center for Hindus in the Caribbean.
  • Highlights:
    • Serves a diverse and deeply spiritual Hindu community of Indian origin.
    • Active in organizing youth seminars, cultural nights, and seva activities.
    • Architecture blends Indian temple style with local aesthetics.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Auckland

  • Why it’s special: A serene temple serving the growing Indian population.
  • Highlights:
    • Hosts weekly satsangs, cultural programs, and family events.
    • Has a beautiful mandir hall with serene interiors for meditation and prayer.
    • Plays a key role in promoting Indian values, spiritual learning, and community service in New Zealand.

Swaminarayan Temples Worldwide: Far More Than You Think

Actually—there are many more Swaminarayan temples outside India than just the ones listed earlier. What you saw were some of the most iconic or architecturally significant ones. The global Swaminarayan movement, especially under BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), has created over 1,000 temples and centers worldwide, with hundreds of them located outside India.

Here’s a broader look:

🌍 Global Presence of Swaminarayan Temples (Outside India)

🏛 United States – More than 100 temples and centers

  • Cities include: New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Jose, Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Phoenix, etc.
  • Some are full-fledged traditional mandirs, others are smaller satsang centers.

🇨🇦 Canada

  • Major cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal
  • Both stone-carved mandirs and smaller prayer centers.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom – 30+ mandirs and centers

  • Locations: London (Neasden), Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Luton, Brent, and others
  • UK is one of the earliest and strongest bases for BAPS outside India.

🌍 Africa (East & South Africa)

  • Kenya: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu
  • Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza
  • Uganda
  • South Africa: Lenasia (Joburg), Durban, Cape Town

🇦🇺 Australia

  • Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide
  • Both BAPS and other Swaminarayan sects have centers.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

  • Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton
  • Strong community presence.

🇦🇪 UAE

  • Abu Dhabi temple (under construction)
  • Also satsang centers in Dubai and Sharjah.

🌍 Caribbean & Latin America

  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Guyana
  • Suriname
  • Belize
  • Panama – Smaller community centers

🌍 Europe (besides the UK)

  • France (Paris)
  • Germany
  • Portugal
  • Italy
  • Switzerland
  • Netherlands
  • Satsang centers exist even if grand temples aren’t yet built.

🌏 Asia-Pacific

  • Fiji, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Indonesia all have Swaminarayan presence.
  • Centers often run regular satsangs, community service, and festivals.

🇷🇺 Russia and 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan

  • Small satsang groups are growing here too.

➡️ No, it’s not just a handful — there are literally hundreds of Swaminarayan temples, mandirs, and satsang centers globally.