BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Chino Hills

Google You. Will. Appreciate. This. Temple!5 stars

Google This was simply beautiful. The staff was so friendly and made me feel welcomed. This is a must visit if you are in the area.5 stars

Google Great temple & cultural complex. This is a unique BAPS temple as it stands on 40 isolators to make it earthquake proof.5 stars

Google The beauty beyond any expectations ..5 stars

Google Wow. This is the real deal. I can't believe this structure exists in the USA!5 stars

Yelp This is an active Hindu temple that is very welcoming to visitors: free to go in, free parking and great cultural experience! They have a gorgeous visitor center with wood carved details where you can watch an introductory video. You can also go into the gift shop and borrow a free audio guide which is very well made with lots of interesting details. Next to it is the Mandir, the place of worship. Outside is pink made out of pink sandstone and inside is white, made with Italian Carrera Marble. During certain times, they'll open up the doors to the different statues for people to worship. The statues are very bright and colorful. The architectural details are amazing. They are strict with different places where you're not allowed to take pictures but everyone is friendly and open to answer questions. Downstairs they have an exhibit floor with very well made boards and videos about India, the culture, religion, the mandir, etc. They also have a cafe where you can go and eat authentic Indian food. Many items I have never even seen at Indian restaurants. When I went, they were still working on the garden which is already beautiful and will have water fountains. Totally recommend visiting this gem!5 stars

Yelp Let me begin with this little caveat: I am totally out of my element reviewing a Hindu temple, or Mandir. I've assimilated a bit of various religions through cultural osmosis, but my familiarity with Hinduism is around the same level as my understanding of women: hovering right about zero. My wife found time between perusing Vietnamese celebrity gossip and shopping online for purses to discover this architectural gem located in Chino Hills. For a couple months we considered making the trek out into the hinterlands (no offense intended, Chino Hills.) for a visit. Finally, we chose a date and made the 30 minute drive out. It's pretty easy access off the 71 freeway. 91 was rather sucky on a Sunday morning. Pig fair going on in Riverside? Found the place, no trouble. Found parking, no trouble. Got out of the car, checked to see if I was wearing pants: I was good to go!! They do require knees and shoulders to be covered when you enter the Mandir. Remember, I'm Hindu-ignorant, so I can't say why. So dress accordingly. Also, you'll be required to remove your shoes, they've got shoe shelves at the bottom of the stairway. The grounds are expansive and open. Freeway traffic visibly whizzing by does intrude upon the tranquil serenity you want to achieve at such a place, but if you've got a black belt in meditation, you'll probably not even notice. The buildings are quite spectacular, especially the Mandir, but there's not an excess of things to see and do while here. I'd suggest going during some festival time, when it should be more active. The Mandir is obviously the star attraction, and as breathtaking as it is on the outside, it's ten times more wondrous inside. The plexiglass cases enveloping the lower portions of the carved columns within does diminish the aesthetics of the presentation. A bit.... gaudy. They do not allow photography inside, which is a shame, because there's so many characters to see throughout the interior. And we'll pass along some wisdom for others who aren't in the know: you're supposed to walk clockwise through the back hall. Some people, obviously Hindus, were walking in circles back there. One woman politely informed us we were being stupid tourists. ;) So, learn from our mistake!! One thing to mention: when I walked in the Mandir, none of the (not sure if they're employees, volunteers, security, etc....) people in the intimidating looking BAPS t-shirts hassled me about no photography, even though I had a huge camera strapped to my wrist. Quite the opposite of say, Galleria dell'Accademia, where Mickey's David resides. Some woman, (Italian.... so kinda hot,) came running immediately at me, demanding I put my camera in a clear plastic baggie. There's also a visitor's center with some more impressive architecture. Also, a small gift shop and a cafe/Indian market. It's a cool place to visit. We spent maybe 30-45 minutes there. I probably wouldn't make a return visit unless there was some cultural festival going. No offense, Chino Hills, but other than BAPS, you're kinda boring!!4 stars

Yelp The Hindu Temple is just gorgeous. They are still building it out and have a bit more to go, specifically the pathway around the main temple. This temple houses several deities and the inside is more beautiful than the outside. Please don't take pictures inside the temple or of the deities as it is considered disrespectful, and thus not allowed. Check out the kitchen and shop while you're there. They make delicious food on the cheap; it's subsidized by faith...5 stars

Yelp Incredible place, a jewel, must visit it is amazing, you can visit for free I would say please donate center. About 95% was brought from India in peaces. Sculpted Pink Sandstone and Marble5 stars

Yelp What an experience!! This place is absolutely beautiful and the inside is breathtaking. The guides here are helpful and very welcoming. We had no idea about anything and they all got us involved in the traditions. The market is also super cool and had fun offerings like tikka masala mayo etc. you have to get the food here too as it's pretty good!5 stars