The faith of Gujarat
The Swaminarayan Sampraday — founded by Sahajanand Swami in early 19th-century Gujarat — is today one of the most visible faith traditions of the Gujarati community worldwide. The Swaminarayan Temple in Anand belongs to the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha) tradition — the lineage that built the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar — and is a white marble shikhara temple with carved stone figures of Swaminarayan and his successors.
The BAPS lineage explains the temple’s character. Founded in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj on the doctrine of Akshar and Purushottam, the organisation grew into the Swaminarayan tradition’s most visible branch — builder of the Akshardham complexes at Gandhinagar, Delhi and Robbins, and of hundreds of mandirs wherever Gujarati families have settled. Its temples share a signature: hand-carved stone rather than concrete, spotless order, volunteer-run seva, and a daily schedule of aarti, darshan and katha that the local congregation keeps closely.
Anand’s mandir serves the Charotar’s dense Patidar community — the same families whose diaspora carries the tradition to Britain, East Africa and America — and its festival calendar peaks at Annakut after Diwali, when a mountain of offered food fills the assembly hall. Visitors are welcome at the darshan hours; dress modestly, leave footwear and leather at the entrance, and pair the stop with Anand’s Amul dairy campus for the two things this town gives the world.
For visitors, the Swaminarayan temple is a beautiful, peaceful stop: its marble interiors, calm atmosphere and orderly devotional practice create a distinctive temple experience. (Free; all welcome; modest dress required.)
Swaminarayan Temple, Anand.
Sahajanand Swami, and a faith that went global
Swaminarayan Temple.
Sahajanand Swami founds the Swaminarayan Sampraday in early 19th-century Gujarat.
The Swaminarayan faith grows to become one of the defining traditions of Gujarat.
The BAPS lineage — Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha — carries the tradition forward.
Today it is a global Gujarati faith, with temples across the world.
Reasons to make the time
Gujarat's faith
The Sampraday is among Gujarat's defining faith traditions.
Marble temple
White marble shikharas and carved halls set the style.
Satsang
A disciplined devotional community keeps the daily schedule.
Peaceful
Order and cleanliness make for a notably calm visit.
Carved stone
Sompura craftsmen carve the pillars, brackets and domes.
A global faith
BAPS mandirs now stand on every inhabited continent.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLESwaminarayan Anand
Marble and devotion in the Charotar's heart.
THE SHRINECarved deities
Carved deities in the BAPS tradition's manner.
MARBLEWhite shikhara
White marble shikhara architecture.
DEVOTIONSatsang atmosphere
Orderly, calm devotional practice.
CRAFTCarved stone figures
Swaminarayan and his successors in stone.
FAITHThe BAPS lineage
The tradition behind Delhi and Gandhinagar Akshardham.
How to spend an hour or two
See the marble
Take in the white marble of the BAPS craftsmanship that defines the temple.
Attend satsang
Join the devotional singing and orderly satsang when the temple is open.
See the deities
Look closely at the carved stone figures of Swaminarayan and his successors.
Walk the complex
Stroll the peaceful gardens and calm surroundings of the temple complex.
Learn the tradition
Understand the Swaminarayan faith and its place in modern Gujarat.
See the history
Trace the story of Gujarat's defining faith tradition through the temple.
Swaminarayan Temple, Anand.
BAPS marble shikhara tradition
The Swaminarayan Temple in Anand belongs to the BAPS tradition — which built the Akshardham temples in Delhi and Gandhinagar. The Anand temple is a white marble shikhara complex with carved stone figures and a calm satsang atmosphere. (Free; all welcome.)
If this is what you travel for, browse temples across Gujarat.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sampraday
White marble shikhara architecture
Gujarat’s defining faith tradition
Carved stone figures & satsang
When to go
The ideal season for temple visits. Comfortable all day and perfect for an unhurried visit.
Lush and green, with some festivals. Pleasant but occasionally crowded around celebrations.
Hot; early morning visits are best to beat the heat of the day.
⏰ October to March is the best season for temple visits in Anand.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Cool season preferred
- Morning visit best
- Festival season crowded
- Dress modestly
- Remove footwear inside
- Follow customs
- Photography rules vary
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport is the nearest major gateway, about 70 km from Anand, with flights from across India.
By Rail
Anand Junction is a major stop on the western railway network, well connected to Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
By Road
Anand sits just off NH-48, with easy road access from Ahmedabad, Vadodara and across central Gujarat.
Capturing the temple
SACRED SPACES
Swaminarayan Temple, Anand
What to shoot
The white marble.
Detail
Carved figures.
Setting
Temple gardens.
Best time
Morning.
Know before you go
More to see close by
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ESTUARYMahi Estuary
Where the Mahi river meets the gulf
TOWNSHIPVallabh Vidyanagar
A green university town of the Charotar
PORT CITYKhambhat (Cambay)
An ancient trading port on the gulf
Anand Agricultural University
A world-class agricultural university — Anand Agricultural University (AAU), heir to a century-old tradition of agronomic…
Where to eat near Swaminarayan Temple, Anand
THALIGujarati Thali
Hearty Charotar meals.
FARSANKhaman & farsan
Steamed snacks.
STREETAnand street
Street food in the city.
Milk sweets
Fresh shrikhand, basundi, doodh pak.
Swaminarayan Temple, Anand FAQ
What is this temple?
A BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Anand.
Who can visit?
All are welcome.
Entry fee?
Free.
When to visit?
Year-round.
What is BAPS?
The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha — a major Swaminarayan lineage.
Duration?
1 hour.
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Published 26 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026