For the Pbase Weekly Informal Challenge #140 - Unusual Architecture

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Houston is the first traditional Hindu Mandir of stone and
marble to be constructed in the United States. Created entirely according to ancient Hindu
architectural manuscripts known as the Shilpa-Shastras and meeting all the modern regulations of
today, it was constructed in a mere 16 months starting from the day its first stone was laid.

Limestone from Turkey and marble from Italy was shipped to India where it was hand-carved. More than 33,000 carved pieces were shipped from India to Houston to build such a beautiful Mandir.
There is no iron or steel in this structure.

To see more photos of this beautiful Mandir, please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/lynnh/baps