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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)
Industrial Area 13, Near National Paints, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) has served as the Gulf's earliest Swaminarayan satsang centre since 2012, transforming a two-storey warehouse into a marble-lined mandir and cultural hub for weekly assemblies, bal-balika classes, youth leadership, and seva campaigns long before the grand Abu Dhabi mandir opened ([1][2]). The facility features a 400-seat assembly hall adorned with hand-carved teak murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guru Parampara, a women's sabha mezzanine, classrooms, a community kitchen, and a satsang resource library. The sanctum front (sinhasan) is fabricated in Ahmedabad from fibre-reinforced composites over gold-leaf accents, while the hall is wrapped in white acoustic panels and LED lighting capable of broadcasting live to global BAPS networks. Daily darshan takes place 6:00 AM-9:00 AM and 6:00 PM-9:00 PM; however the centre's heart is the Friday evening satsang assembly which includes kirtans, vicharan (discourses), Gujarati/Sanskrit classes, and seva planning. Volunteers run youth-driven projects such as blood donation drives, beach clean-ups, wellbeing seminars, and disaster relief kits in partnership with UAE authorities.
Year Built
2012 CE
Period
Contemporary
Architectural Style
Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic
Built By
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Material Used
Reinforced Concrete Warehouse Frame, Acoustic Panels, Fibre-Reinforced Sinhasan, Teak, Marble, LED Lighting, Digital AV
Heritage Status
Registered cultural/religious centre with Dubai & Sharjah authorities; functions as official BAPS UAE headquarters pre-Abu Dhabi mandir.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)
overview
Overview data: 94% complete
Heritage Overview
Temple
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) has served as the Gulf's earliest Swaminarayan satsang centre since 2012, transforming a two-storey warehouse into a marble-lined mandir and cultural hub for weekly assemblies, bal-balika classes, youth leadership, and seva campaigns long before the grand Abu Dhabi mandir opened ([1][2]). The facility features a 400-seat assembly hall adorned with hand-carved teak murtis of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Guru Parampara, a women's sabha mezzanine, classrooms, a community kitchen, and a satsang resource library. The sanctum front (sinhasan) is fabricated in Ahmedabad from fibre-reinforced composites over gold-leaf accents, while the hall is wrapped in white acoustic panels and LED lighting capable of broadcasting live to global BAPS networks. Daily darshan takes place 6:00 AM-9:00 AM and 6:00 PM-9:00 PM; however the centre's heart is the Friday evening satsang assembly which includes kirtans, vicharan (discourses), Gujarati/Sanskrit classes, and seva planning. Volunteers run youth-driven projects such as blood donation drives, beach clean-ups, wellbeing seminars, and disaster relief kits in partnership with UAE authorities.
Location
Industrial Area 13, Near National Paints, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates(Sharjah)
Year Built
2012 CE
Heritage Status
Registered cultural/religious centre with Dubai & Sharjah authorities; functions as official BAPS UAE headquarters pre-Abu Dhabi mandir.
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Daily darshan 6:00 AM-9:00 AM & 6:00 PM-9:00 PM; weekly sabha Friday 7:00 PM-9:30 PM; bal-balika classes Friday afternoon; women's sabha Saturday 4:00 PM; counselling by appointment.
Entry Fee
Entry free; sabha registration free; Gujarati/Sanskrit class AED 150/term; seva sponsorships variable; parking complimentary.
Citation References
BAPS UAE: Dubai/Sharjah Sabha Mandir
BAPS Swaminarayan SansthaAccessed 2025-11-09
Sharjah warehouse becomes Swaminarayan mandir for Gulf devotees
Gulf NewsAccessed 2025-11-09
How BAPS sabha mandir powers seva, sustainability and digital satsang
The NationalAccessed 2025-11-09
Heritage Status
Registered cultural/religious centre with Dubai & Sharjah authorities; functions as official BAPS UAE headquarters pre-Abu Dhabi mandir.
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2025 BAPS facilities audit shows pristine sinhasan, fully operational AV, and well-maintained HVAC. LED upgrades and insulation keep energy consumption low.
Historical Context
BAPS initiated Gulf satsang in late 1990s; Sharjah warehouse purchased 2010; renovation completed and inaugurated by senior sadhu Mahant Swami Maharaj (then Keshavjivandas Swami) in 2012. The mandir hosted the region's first Yuva Shibir (2015), Suhradam Show (2017), and served as remote broadcast hub for online satsang during COVID-19. Volunteers supported Expo 2020 seva, Pakistan/India flood relief, and UAE humanitarian campaigns.
Architectural Details
Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic
Contemporary
Built by
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Materials
Reinforced Concrete Warehouse Frame, Acoustic Panels, Fibre-Reinforced Sinhasan, Teak, Marble, LED Lighting, Digital AV
Dimensions
Height10m
Width35m
Length60m
Area2100m²
Location Map
Featured Images
Restoration Work
Major upgrades: 2015 women's sabha mezzanine, 2017 AV overhaul, 2019 VRF HVAC, 2021 studio redesign, 2023 digital seva portal integration.
Patronage
Community donors; support from BAPS Global Charity crew
Construction Technique
The building retains the reinforced concrete warehouse shell but adds insulated walls, acoustic ceilings, and raised floors for cable management. The sanctum employs a prefabricated sinhasan delivered from India, installed on a granite pedestal anchored to the slab. The mezzanine is supported by steel beams added during renovation. AV infrastructure includes 4K cameras, broadcast mixers, and distributed speakers. A commercial kitchen uses stainless-steel counters to support annakut offerings. ([1][3])
Architectural Influences
3 items
Building Techniques
Renovation involved structural assessment, external cladding, installation of gypsum ceilings, and acoustic treatment. Digital upgrades integrate real-time translation headsets, multi-camera switching, and RFID-based attendee tracking for seva allocation. Energy-efficient VRF units replaced older split AC systems in 2019.
Coordinates
25.307500, 55.423800
Accessibility Info
{"notes":"ID required; modest attire; separate seating for men/women during sabha; shoes stored at racks; tea/snack seva after sabha.","restrooms":"Restrooms on both floors; ablution area; filtered water; pantry.","wheelchair_accessible":"Ramp entry, lift to mezzanine, wheelchair seating, volunteers assist elders."}
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
Visit Friday evenings for full sabha experience; arrive early for pre-sabha satsang; weekdays morning/evening for quiet darshan; special utsav weekends for cultural vibrancy.
Seasonal Events
7 items
Visitor Restrictions
Phones silenced; gender-specific seating during sabha; no photography during arti; bring reusable water bottle; arrive 30 minutes before sabha for seating.
View Count
0
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created At
2025-11-09T08:07:12.947125+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-09T08:07:12.947125+00:00
Quick Overview
📅
Built InContemporary
📍
LocationSharjah
🏛️
StyleWarehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic
🏆
StatusProtected Heritage
What is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)?
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) is a historic Temple located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. This Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic architectural masterpiece was built during the Contemporary period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United Arab Emirates. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) has served as the Gulf's earliest Swaminarayan satsang centre since 2012, transforming a two-storey warehouse into a marble-lined mandir and cu...
Category:
TempleLocation:
Industrial Area 13, Near National Paints, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, SharjahPeriod:
ContemporaryStyle:
Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan AestheticKey Features of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)
- 1Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using Reinforced Concrete Warehouse Frame, Acoustic Panels, Fibre-Reinforced Sinhasan, Teak, Marble, LED Lighting, Digital AV, showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The building retains the reinforced concrete warehouse shell but adds insulated walls, acoustic ceilings, and raised floors for cable management. The sanctum employs a prefabricated sinhasan delivered from India, installed on a granite pedestal anchored to the slab. The mezzanine is supported by steel beams added during renovation. AV infrastructure includes 4K cameras, broadcast mixers, and distributed speakers. A commercial kitchen uses stainless-steel counters to support annakut offerings. ([1][3]) construction methods
- 4Registered cultural/religious centre with Dubai & Sharjah authorities; functions as official BAPS UAE headquarters pre-Abu Dhabi mandir. providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Excellent; facility clean, structural elements sound, digital systems modern.
Architectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
What Makes BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Warehouse-to-Temple Conversion with Swaminarayan Aesthetic architecture
- 2Royal patronage by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, reflecting historical significance
- 3Pioneering Swaminarayan satsang centre in Gulf, incubating volunteers, bal-balika values, and seva networks now supporting Abu Dhabi mandir; integral to diaspora pastoral care.
Visitor Information
How to Visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir)
| AEDEntry Fee | Entry free; sabha registration free; Gujarati/Sanskrit class AED 150/term; seva sponsorships variable; parking complimentary. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir): Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir). Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) is located in Industrial Area 13, Near National Paints, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Sharjah. The nearest major city is Industrial Area 13. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 25.3075, 55.4238.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Entry free; sabha registration free; Gujarati/Sanskrit class AED 150/term; seva sponsorships variable; parking complimentary.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir). Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Contemporary
Construction of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Sharjah Sabha Mandir) by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Registered cultural/religious centre with Dubai & Sharjah authorities; functions as official BAPS UAE headquarters pre-Abu Dhabi mandir.
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation