Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
5044 N. Loop, 1604 W,
San Antonio TX 78249 USA
Phone: (1-210) 492 4008
Fax: (1-210) 479 6051
5044 N. Loop, 1604 W,
San Antonio TX 78249 USA
Phone: (1-210) 492 4008
Fax: (1-210) 479 6051
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a
spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through
individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless
service.
“In the joy of others lies our own.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj
“True spirituality speaks the language of love.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj
“Better the world around you by bettering yourself.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Bhagwan Swaminarayan
established the Swaminarayan faith and renewed the ideals of Hinduism in 18th
century India.
He established a spiritual way of life and code of conduct to be
followed. ‘Satsang’ is the word used by Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s followers to
describe the process of associating with God and the guru to achieve spiritual
enlightenment. Literally, ‘sat’ and ‘sang’ in Sanskrit mean ‘association with
the truth.’ Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s followers are commonly referred to as
‘satsangis’ as they identify with Swaminarayan satsang.
Satsangis live their daily lives in
accordance with a righteous code of conduct, or dharma, which is defined by the
Swaminarayan scriptures as well as by the living guru. As explained by the
current guru, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, “Paraspar preeti prasaravey te dharma,”
which means, “That [code of conduct] which increases love and peace is worthy
of being called dharma.”
The central religious tenet for BAPS satsangis is bhakti, or devotion to God. Bhakti, when combined with dharma, gnan (spiritual knowledge), and vairagya (detachment), leads to one becoming an ideal devotee, or an ekantik bhakta. This is achieved in the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha by devoting oneself to God as per the example set by the guru. The guru is the ideal bhakta of God; hence, the guru guides spiritual aspirants on the path to spiritual bliss, a state that he enjoys continuously.
The central religious tenet for BAPS satsangis is bhakti, or devotion to God. Bhakti, when combined with dharma, gnan (spiritual knowledge), and vairagya (detachment), leads to one becoming an ideal devotee, or an ekantik bhakta. This is achieved in the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha by devoting oneself to God as per the example set by the guru. The guru is the ideal bhakta of God; hence, the guru guides spiritual aspirants on the path to spiritual bliss, a state that he enjoys continuously.
Philosophy
In the Hindu
tradition, the discussion and understanding of philosophy is a fundamental tool
for a spiritual aspirant to attain moksha, liberation of the soul from the
cycle of birth and death. The sound philosophical base of the Swaminarayan
Sampraday, and particularly the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, is grounded in the
Aksharbrahma-Parabrahma philosophy derived from the Vedas and revealed by
Bhagwan Swaminarayan. This philosophy teaches aspirants to worship Paramatma
and to realize their true form to be the atma and not simply the body. The
attainment of ekantik dharma is at the heart of the practical application of this
philosophy in the life of a spiritual aspirant. Bhagwan Swaminarayan taught His
followers that the path to moksha is a comprehensive approach combining dharma,
bhakti, gnan, and vairagya. This philosophical understanding is maintained with
the continued presence of Aksharbrahma in the form of the guru. Today, Pramukh
Swami Maharaj offers spiritual guidance on the path towards moksha to millions
of people by leading a life of utmost discipline and adherence to the
Aksharbrahma-Parabrahma philosophy.
Hindu Beliefs
Hindu Sanatan Dharma is often known as a
democratic religion. The Vedas say that there are many paths to the same
destination: moksha. That is why Hindu Sanãtan Dharma embraces a great
diversity of beliefs about God or Bhagwan, the universe, and the path to
moksha. Though followers of Hindu Sanãtan Dharma may seem to be following
different paths to Bhagwan, the core beliefs are the same. These core beliefs
form the essence of Hindu Sanãtan Dharma and have been practiced since the
beginning of time. All Hindus believe in the revealed scripture (the Vedas) and
one Supreme God. All paths lead to a common goal of salvation, of the soul's
freedom from a temporal body. Hindus also believe in the sacredness of life,
compassion, service, reincarnation, and the laws of karma and dharma. Most
Hindus build mandirs which are dedicated to the Supreme and believe that a true
guru is needed on the path to moksha.
Mandirs
Mandirs are a longstanding Hindu
tradition. A mandir is a place of worship for Hindus. A mandir is a place where
the mind becomes still and man experiences inner peace. For centuries, the
mandir has remained a hub for life, a community forum where people forget their
differences and voluntarily unite to serve society. It functions as a center for
learning about man, nature, and Bhagwan. A mandir is where ethics and values
are reinforced into the lives of children and adults. It is where people
celebrate festivals and seek refuge during difficult times. It cultivates
talents in various arts, music, and literature that are offered in the service
of Bhagwan and the community.
Devotees visit mandirs to offer worship and devotion to the murti of Bhagwan, which is installed within the inner sanctum. The murti is consecrated by reciting Vedic mantras after which it becomes the manifest form of Bhagwan, not just a statue sculpted from stone or metal. Devotees revere and worship the murti as a living form of Bhagwan; they bathe it, adorn it in exquisite garments and ornaments, feed it, and put it to sleep. Furthermore, devotees come into contact with sadhus who reside at the mandir. The sadhus hold spiritual discourses to impart knowledge to the devotees and explain the philosophical doctrines of Hindu Dharma. The sadhus help transform hundreds of lives by leading people on the path of spirituality and morality. Moreover, the sadhus help console and free people from their addictions and bad habits.
In the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha there are two types of mandirs. The first type is known as the shikharbaddha mandir. These mandirs are built according to the principles of ancient Hindu Shilpa Shastras in the north Indian Nãgara style in which there are three shikhars and domes. Mandirs also represent a living form of Bhagwan, which is why devotees lovingly build such grand and majestic mandirs with intricate carvings. Footwear is removed upon entering a mandir because it is not only a place of worship but an object of worship as well; every part of a mandir is sacred. In the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, shikharbaddha mandirs usually have the following features:
Devotees visit mandirs to offer worship and devotion to the murti of Bhagwan, which is installed within the inner sanctum. The murti is consecrated by reciting Vedic mantras after which it becomes the manifest form of Bhagwan, not just a statue sculpted from stone or metal. Devotees revere and worship the murti as a living form of Bhagwan; they bathe it, adorn it in exquisite garments and ornaments, feed it, and put it to sleep. Furthermore, devotees come into contact with sadhus who reside at the mandir. The sadhus hold spiritual discourses to impart knowledge to the devotees and explain the philosophical doctrines of Hindu Dharma. The sadhus help transform hundreds of lives by leading people on the path of spirituality and morality. Moreover, the sadhus help console and free people from their addictions and bad habits.
In the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha there are two types of mandirs. The first type is known as the shikharbaddha mandir. These mandirs are built according to the principles of ancient Hindu Shilpa Shastras in the north Indian Nãgara style in which there are three shikhars and domes. Mandirs also represent a living form of Bhagwan, which is why devotees lovingly build such grand and majestic mandirs with intricate carvings. Footwear is removed upon entering a mandir because it is not only a place of worship but an object of worship as well; every part of a mandir is sacred. In the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, shikharbaddha mandirs usually have the following features:
1. Aarti – performed five
times a day.
2. Mahapuja – performed every
morning between the two morning aartis.
3. Katha – performed 3 to 5
times a day.
4. Sadhus – the only
individuals allowed to care for the murtis, such as adorning the murtis with
clothes and ornaments, and live within the mandir complex.
5. Murtis – made of either
stone of metal; in the first shrine are Shri Harikrishna Maharaj and Shri
Rãdhã-Krishna Dev; in the center shrine is Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj –
Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Aksharbrahma Gunatitanand Swami; in the last shrine is
Shri Ghanshyam Maharaj – Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s childhood form.
The second type of mandir found in the
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is known as the hari mandir. Hari mandirs are
generally built of cement, concrete, and steel and serve as a place of worship.
They mainly have stone murtis of Shri Akshar-Purushottam Mahãrãj, Shri
Rãdhã-Krishna Dev, and the BAPS guru paramparã. The pujari of a hari mandir is
generally a householder devotee who performs ãarti twice a day. He is also
responsible for adorning the murtis with clothes and ornaments and looks after
the upkeep of the entire mandir. He holds katha twice a day. BAPS sadhus
regularly visit the hari mandirs to deliver discourses and for home visits in
the neighboring cities and villages.
Service - Seva
Hinduism preaches serving both God and
humanity, as one begets the other. Seva is a Sanskrit word that means more than
just service or to serve. It means to serve without the existence of one’s own
identity – to serve selflessly. Bhagwan Swaminarayan revived the true meaning
of seva and initiated many humanitarian projects among His followers, ranging
from digging wells to serving the ill. His personal example, set as a teenager
while traveling through southern India, was the selfless service of
an ill stranger. Sevakram was a Brahmin who had contracted dysentery. Neelkanth
Varni, as Bhagwan Swaminarayan was known at that time, stopped on His travels
to nurse Sevakram back to good health, staying for over two months until he was
well again.
Pragji Bhakta, the second spiritual
successor, set very high standards of seva. For many months, he served the
mandir, sadhus, and devotees for twenty hours every day and slept for only four
hours. Yogiji Maharaj, the fourth spiritual successor, stressed seva as a form
of bhakti and personally engaged in seva like washing utensils and sweeping the
floor. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the fifth and current spiritual successor, has
shown the same inclination for seva and never tires of it. Even over the age of
90 , he still spends hours personally meeting and writing to devotees for their
well-being and personal growth.
Following the lead of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the devotees of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha also regularly engage in seva. Medical activities are organized to help communities. Educational initiatives guide children on future courses to follow. Volunteers engage in relief activities when a disaster strikes in their area. Blood drives, career fairs, walkathons for charity are among the activities conducted regularly by volunteers from BAPS centers across the world. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s adage, ”In the joy of others, lies our own,” propels the organization to devote time and energy towards humanitarian activities in the service of others.
Following the lead of Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the devotees of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha also regularly engage in seva. Medical activities are organized to help communities. Educational initiatives guide children on future courses to follow. Volunteers engage in relief activities when a disaster strikes in their area. Blood drives, career fairs, walkathons for charity are among the activities conducted regularly by volunteers from BAPS centers across the world. Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s adage, ”In the joy of others, lies our own,” propels the organization to devote time and energy towards humanitarian activities in the service of others.
Traditions
India’s ancient traditions and rituals are as relevant today as they
were centuries ago. The rites and rituals, art, architecture, dance, theatre,
music, and alternative wellness methods passed down for generations have
touched millions of people and continue to influence the lives of many around
the world. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha reinforces these traditions through
activities around its global network. Celebrating festivals, performing special
Vedic prayers and rituals, preserving ancient art and architecture, and
promoting a healthy lifestyle through yoga and a vegetarian diet are all
integral parts of BAPS’ cultural and development activities. These activities
celebrate Indian traditions in over 3,850 communities worldwide.
Mandir Timings
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Daily Arti
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7:00 am & 7:00 pm (Monday to Saturday), 6.30 pm (Sunday)
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Darshan Timings:
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Monday - Friday
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7:00 am to 12:30 pm
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4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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Saturday - Sunday
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7:30 am to 8:20 pm
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Weekly Assembly
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Bal Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Balika Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Kishore Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Kishori Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Yuvak Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Yuvati Sabha
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Sunday 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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Satsang Sabha
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Sunday 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
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Events
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Makar Sankranti - Jholi
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Sunday, January 13, 2013
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Vasant Panchami
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Sunday, February 10, 2013
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Holi - Fuldol
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Sunday, March 24, 2013
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Swaminarayan Jayanti / Ram Navmi
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Sunday, April 14, 2013
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Yogi Jayanti
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Sunday, June 02, 2013
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Guru Purnima
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Sunday, July 21, 2013
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Janmashtami
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Sunday, August 25, 2013
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Jal Jhilani
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Saturday, September 14, 2013
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Sharad Purnima
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Sunday, October 13, 2013
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Diwali - Annakut
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Sunday, November 10, 2013
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Pramukh Swami Janma Jayanti
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Sunday, December 08, 2013
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Patotsav
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Sunday, October 13, 2013
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Driving Directions
From Austin (Approx 100 Miles)/Dallas (Approx 275 Miles):Take IH-35 South, Exit 172 (Loop 1604-Anderson Loop)
Merge onto TX-1604 LOOP W. Go 15.4 miles
Exit toward Lockhill-Selma/Tradesman Dr., Stay on Frontage Road
Turn LEFT onto Tradesman Drive (Over Bridge)
Turn LEFT onto N TX-1604-LOOP W. (Frontage Road)
End at 5044 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
From Houston (Approx 200 Miles):
Take IH-10 West towards El Paso
Exit #587 toward TX-1604-LOOP/ ANDERSON LOOP/ RANDOLPH A.F.B..
Take TX-1604 LOOP N. Go 24.1 miles
Exit toward Lockhill-Selma/Tradesman Dr., Stay on Frontage Road
Turn LEFT onto Tradesman Drive (Over Bridge)
Turn LEFT onto N TX-1604-LOOP W.
End at 5044 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
From El Paso (Approx 560 Miles):
Take IH-10 East towards Houston
Take the Frontage Road exit, # 556B.
Turn LEFT onto N TX-1604-LOOP W. (Frontage Road)
End at 5044 N Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78249
From Corpus Christi (Approx. 165 Miles):
Take IH-37 North
Take IH-10 West to El Paso
Take Exit# 556B (Frontage Road), stay on Frontage Road
End at 5044 N Loop 1604 West San Antonio, Texas 78249
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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