BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Kolkata

The temple opens for darshan from 6:30 to 11:30 in the morning and again from 4:00 to 9:15 in the evening, allowing devotees multiple opportunities to visit throughout the day. Aartis—the ritual offerings of light to the deity—are performed twice daily on weekdays at 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a slightly later evening aarti at 7:00 p.m. on Sundays. These rituals form the rhythm of worship at the mandir and are open to all visitors.

Community Assemblies and Spiritual Programmes

Beyond daily worship, the mandir organizes regular assemblies structured by age and gender, creating spaces for spiritual learning and community connection. The Bal Sabha (children's assembly) meets on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., while the Balika Sabha (girls' assembly) gathers on Saturday afternoons from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Youth groups—the Kishore Mandal and Kishori Mandal—meet on Saturday evenings and afternoons respectively. Adult congregations include the Mahila Mandal (women's assembly) on Wednesday afternoons, the Yuvak Mandal (young men's group) on Thursday evenings, and the Vadil Sabha (elders' assembly) on Sunday evenings. This comprehensive programme reflects the temple's role as a community institution serving worshippers across generations.

Festivals Observed

The temple celebrates several significant festivals throughout the year. Guru Purnima, observed in July, honours spiritual teachers. Akshaya Tritiya, falling in April, is marked as an auspicious day for new beginnings. Karwa Chauth, celebrated in October, is observed by women as a fast for the wellbeing of their spouses. The temple is typically decorated elaborately on these festival days, and timings may vary; it is advisable to confirm with the temple before travelling on festival dates.

Visiting: Etiquette and Practicalities

Visitors should plan to arrive during published darshan hours. As with Hindu temples generally, shoes should be removed before entering the inner sanctum. Modest dress is appropriate; women typically wear salwar kameez, sarees, or other traditional or conservative clothing, while men wear simple shirts and trousers or traditional kurtas. Photography policies may vary, so it is courteous to ask before taking images. The temple can be contacted by telephone at (033) 2474 9180 or (033) 2475 8482 for specific inquiries about facilities or special circumstances. Note that timings may vary on festival days—confirm with the temple before travelling on such occasions.

Getting There

The mandir is located at 61 Chakraberia Road (North) in Bhowanipore, approximately 5 kilometres from Kolkata airport and 4 kilometres from the main railway station. Daily flights connect the airport to Mumbai, Delhi, and other major cities. The railway station offers regular train services to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Vadodara, and beyond. Local taxis and auto-rickshaws provide convenient transport to Chakraberia Road from these transport hubs. Regular bus services also connect the temple to major transport points within the city.

Contact Information

For inquiries, the temple's telephone numbers are (033) 2474 9180 and (033) 2475 8482. The fax number is (033) 2476 1541. The postal address is BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, 61 Chakraberia Road (North), Bhowanipore, West Bengal, Kolkata 700020, India.