Living in Houston, USA | Is there a Taj Mahal in Texas?

✨ BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir🍐🎼 Friends traveling to Houston, Texas—don’t miss this hidden "White Palace"—the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir!🙉 I was truly shocked when I first saw it; I felt like I’d been transported to an Indian royal palace. This temple is the first hand-carved stone Hindu mandir in the United States. 🌴🌴 Its entire structure was built by assembling materials shipped all the way from India on-site 🍜🍜 The white marble and cream-colored limestone, paired with exquisitely carved details, make you can’t help but take tons of photos—it’s a total feast of architectural art.🍚🍚 👀The moment you step into the Mandir, you’ll really be soothed by its peaceful atmosphere. The temple is open for free (yes, you read that right, 🆓!). You can go inside to visit, meditate, take photos, and learn about Hindu culture. There’s also a small exhibition area on-site introducing the temple’s history, making it a great spot to bring kids for a learning experience.❣️❣️ If you can, I recommend coming in the evening. The setting sun shines on the carved marble, creating a beauty that feels like maxing out a filter! There are also gardens and ponds nearby—every casual shot looks like a postcard.✨ 🏡It’s important to note that your attire must be neat: no sleeveless tops or shorts ❗️ There are shoe-changing rooms on both the left and right sides of the temple. ⛈️⛈️ If you want to enter the temple, you must take off your shoes ⚠️. You can take photos and videos freely outside the temple, but photography and filming are not allowed inside—you will be reminded if you take out your phone. The entire temple isn’t too big; you can finish visiting it in about 30-40 minutes. Its opening hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but it’s closed from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM—make sure to check the timing when you come ❗️❗️ It’s best to avoid coming at noon; it’s way too hot It’s about a 20-30 minute drive from downtown. If you love exotic culture + photo check-ins, this place is definitely worth scheduling time for a slow visit😘😘 ✨ BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Houston 📍 1150 Brand Ln, Stafford, TX 77477😍😍 #TexasTravel #ExoticAttractions #HiddenGems #HinduTempleVibes #TexasRoadTrip #OffTheBeatenPath #ArtisticPhotoSpots #HoustonLife