Since I’ve chosen to settle down in Houston for the time being, I’ve decided to start a new segment highlighting unique, unusual and impressive features of my urban hometown.

Unfortunately, Houston doesn’t have the best reputation as a tourist destination…which is a shame, considering that it’s the fourth largest city in the United States, has a Theater District second only to New York City, has more than 500 cultural/visual/performing arts organizations, is a total foodie heaven, and is home to some pretty incredible sites and attractions.

My goal with this Houston Highlights series is to shine some light on the best that Houston has to offer, in the hopes of showing what a great destination it can be for travelers.

First up: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.

Wow, what a tongue-twister THAT is, eh?

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was the first traditional Hindu Mandir (place of worship) of its kind in North America. It’s a center for peace and prayer for followers of Hinduism, as well as various cultural and spiritual events and activities.

I recently posted a snap of the Mandir on my Instagram, and the general reaction seemed to be: “THIS PLACE IS IN HOUSTON?!?!”

Well, believe it, kiddos! The BAPS Mandir is one of Houston’s hidden gems (and one of my new favorite spots in the city).

The Building of the Mandir

The Mandir was completed in mid-2004, after just 16 months of construction (but 1.3 MILLION volunteer hours!) Much of the work was completed by high school and college student volunteers, as well as Houston professionals.

These volunteer hours reflect the project’s devotion to seva, or selfless volunteering.

More than 33,000 individual pieces of Turkish limestone and Italian marble were hand-carved in India and shipped to the United States in order to create the Mandir.

What to See at the BAPS Mandir

The Mandir

While the exterior may seem like the main display, it’s actually the interior that will make your jaw drop.

The inside design of the Mandir is in the same style as the outside, but instead of looking at it from afar, it surrounds you from every direction. Gorgeous, ornate carvings of deities, animals and symbols cover every inch of the walls and ceilings.

Understanding Hinduism Exhibit

If you’re interested in learning more about Hinduism, check out the Mandir’s Understanding Hinduism exhibition. Paintings and other visual works of art detail the history, meaning, value, and important figures of the Hindu religion.

Souvenir Shop

Yes, even religious complexes have souvenir shops now! Here, you can buy professional photos of the Mandir, artwork, CDs, herbal health products, and some interesting snacks.

Know Before You Go

Photography is strictly prohibited inside the Mandir. Outside and anywhere on the grounds is perfectly fine, but you will be closely watched (and reprimanded…oops) if you attempt to violate the “no photography” rule.

Be aware and respectful of dress codes. As with most temples and places of worship, you are expected to dress in a neat and conservative fashion (no shorts, tank tops, or short skirts for the ladies!)

Luckily, since this is boiling hot Houston and everyone wears shorts, the Mandir does have some extra wraps that you can use to cover yourself if you want to go inside.

Also, you will have to remove your shoes and leave them outside if you want to enter the Mandir.

The Mandir is open 9am to 6pm daily. However, during certain times of the day, various religious activites and ceremonies will take place. Check the schedule here if you want to make sure you do (or don’t) stumble across one of these events.

Check the events page for upcoming cultural and spiritual events. These are usually open to all visitors, and can be found here.

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Can you believe this Mandir is really in HOUSTON?! Would you want to visit here?