BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
(317) 271-1577
350 N County Road 900 East
Avon, IN 46123
Institutional History/Information
Swaminarayan Hinduism traces its history to a guru named Bhagwan
Swaminarayan, who died in 1830. Swaminarayan Hindus believe that
the guru's spiritual authority passed through a lineage of monastic
leaders that succeeded him. The Avon temple belongs to the
Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a
splinter group within the Swaminarayan tradition with a large,
worldwide following. BAPS members believe that the line of
Swaminarayan's spiritual authority has passed through five gurus
down to the present leader of the community, who is known as
Pramukh Swami. A picture of the Pramukh Swami can be seen next to
the entrance to the worship area in the Avon location. The
Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism is unique because of its focus on
powerful and unifying god who works through the other gods and
goddesses that are normally associated with Hinduism (Krishna,
Shiva, etc.). The Avon BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir is only around 3
years old. Worldwide there are over 7,000 congregations, the
largest and most celebrated located in New Delhi. Several
photographs of the New Delhi mandir can be seen in the lobby of the
Avon building.
Demographics
At Avon BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, attendees range from age 2 to
age 70. Most attendees are middle-aged, though. Most of the people
who attend are Gujaratis, or the descendants of Gujaratis
(Gujaratis are from Gujarat, a state in northern India, near
Pakistan). Gujaratis speak Gujarati, and that is the language in
which the service is conducted. Some people travel to this mandir
from as far away as 60 miles. The most attended service during the
week is the weekly assembly on Sunday from 4-7 pm.
Service Style
Daily arti services are held at 7 am and 7 pm. The Sunday
morning arti is attended by several hundred people and it lasts for
approximately two hours. Weekday arti is attended by a few
devotees. Scripture is read and meditated on, and rituals are
performed before the gods and goddesses. The ritual includes the
waving of a small candle in a circular motion in front of each
deity while singing. There is an extended period of songs
interspersed with kneeling. The act of kneeling involves going to
the floor on the knees, followed by the hands and then forehead.
Some congregants sing along with pre-recorded music. A priest on
location indicated that one of the continuing goals of the facility
is to have live music with instruments (particularly drums) brought
in from India. After the service, worshippers are offered water to
drink from their hands as well as food that has been offered to and
blessed by the deities, called prasad.
The purpose of the arti service is twofold. First, according to
those at the temple, the use of the fire wards off evil things
around the images of the deities. The second purpose of the arti
service is to worship the gods and demonstrate one's devotion to
them.
What To Expect
Attendees must take their shoes off at the door. No photography
or recording is allowed in the main worship room. For the services,
men and women are seated on opposite sides of the room in chairs to
the left and right as you walk in. Directly in front of you as you
walk in to worship is an ornate gold structure in a sectioned-off
part of the room. The structure holds statues of gods and goddesses
as well as pictures of Swaminarayan and his successors. The statues
are not merely statues, but are considered to contain the presence
of the deity. Because of this, the figures are cared for as if they
were living beings. They are symbolically awakened in the morning,
offered three meals, and sheltered during an afternoon nap and at
night. Before attending an arti service, it is recommended that the
visitor call ahead and ask to be met and guided.