Is the Taj Mahal on your bucket list of places to visit in your lifetime? If so, today is your lucky day because you can visit the closest thing to it without even leaving Texas. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Stafford (just outside of Houston) is a breathtaking Hindu temple that looks as if it belongs in India. It’s open to the public daily and is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in a new culture and become more worldly – not to mention the fact that it’s absolutely awe-inspiring to look at.

The mandir, which took 28 months to complete, consists of over 33,000 pieces of hand-carved Italian marble and Turkish limestone.
Flickr/thomashawk
It's the largest Hindu temple in Texas and was modeled after guidelines spelled out in ancient texts.
Flickr/thomashawk
Spanning over 22 acres, the grounds include not only the temple but also a cultural center and an exhibit that teaches visitors about Hinduism.
Flickr/drmiggy
The congregation gathers weekly, much like in Christian churches, for devotionals, scripture study, and youth activities such as heritage and music classes.
Flickr/thomashawk
Community involvement is very important to the mandir. It hosts an annual Women's Day celebration, walkathon, and health fair.
Flickr/beachdigital

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If you look closely at the architecture, you'll see intricately carved deities, musicians, dancers, elephants, horses, flowers, and geometric patterns.
Flickr/thomashawk
All of the pieces were carved in India and fitted together like a giant jigsaw puzzle to be shipped to Houston in crates.
Flickr/whsieh78
Inside the temple, monks worship marble statues of Hindu deities many times throughout the day. The murtis, as they're called, are said to contain the living presence of the divine being.
Flickr/Greg Williams
Visitors are welcome daily to admire the breathtaking palace-like building and become more educated on Hindu culture and religion.
Flickr/thomashawk
I guarantee you'll feel more like you're in India than Texas.
Flickr/4nitsirk

This isn’t the only incredible architectural marvel in Texas. We have castles and even an underground labyrinth!

Have you ever been to the BAPS Shri temple? Is it just as majestic in person as it is in photos?

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