HR1097 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1097 LRB098 21111 GRL 58928 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Complex on the 10th anniversary of its inauguration; and

WHEREAS, The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Bartlett which was built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; and

WHEREAS, The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is one of the largest traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and marble to be constructed in the United States; and

WHEREAS, This masterpiece of ancient design and workmanship is a testimony to the sheer dedication and devotion of over 1,700 volunteers from the Chicagoland area and many more from 3 continents; it was constructed from start to finish in just 16 months; and

WHEREAS, The Mandir is constructed of Turkish limestone and Italian marble that was shipped to India and hand-carved; the stone was subsequently shipped to Chicago and was assembled as a giant 3-dimensional jigsaw puzzle; and

WHEREAS, On August 8, 2004, the Mandir was inaugurated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an international Hindu organization belonging to the Swaminarayan sect of Hindu; and

WHEREAS, The Mandir was built according to the ancient canons of Hindu architecture, known as Shilpa-Shastras, and exemplifies a system of construction that has been proven to withstand the tests of time, thus providing a place that will continue to generate memories and experience for future generations; and

WHEREAS, On May 18, 2005, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir of Chicago was awarded the "Best Building Suburb" award by the Chicago Building Congress for displaying distinctive design, outstanding construction, and a positive impact on the surrounding community; and

WHEREAS, Visitors to the Mandir can experience the various facets of Hindu rites and rituals, as well as the core philosophical precepts of the religion; and

WHEREAS, Festivals are celebrated on a grand scale at the Mandir throughout the year, including Diwali, Swaminarayan Jayanti, Ram Navmi, Janmashtmi, Shivratri, Holi, and Ganesh Chaturi; in marking the Hindu New Year, the grandest of Hindu festivals, Diwali and Annakut, are celebrated with dazzling light, sights, smells, and sounds; and

WHEREAS, For the past 10 years, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir has been a place of worship and prayer for followers of Hinduism; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Complex on the 10th anniversary of its inauguration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Complex as a symbol of our esteem and respect.