Location
The mandir is situated in a beautiful environment, 10 minutes from the Nairobi city center.

Opening
By Pramukh Swami Maharaj on 29 August 1999.

Images
1st shrine - Yogiji Maharaj, Bhagatji Maharaj
2nd shrine - Shri Krishna, Shri Radhaji
3rd shrine - Lord Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami(Central)
4th shrine - Shri Narayan, Shri Laxmiji
5th shrine - Shastriji Maharaj, Pramukh Swami Maharaj

The Mandir
The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Nairobi is the first traditional Hindu Mandir of its kind to be constructed, carved and created according to the ancient Hindu Shilpashastras on the African continent. 350 tons of yellow Jesalmer sandstone from Jesalmer, Rajasthan, was mined and transported to Pindwada, a village 400 km from Jesalmer. There the stones were hand carved to various designs by 150 skilled sculptors over a period of two years. The carved pieces were then shipped from India to Mombasa and assembled in Nairobi like a giant jigsaw puzzle. In addition, the interior of the mandir is a grand revival of traditional Indian craftsmanship in wood. Such breathtaking wood carvings have not been accomplished anywhere in the world during modern times. The best available indigenous timber from East Africa was exported to India for the carving and around 235 craftsmen worked for more than 12 months in three different states of India. The work was supervised by an expert team of engineers and architects, who produced the world's best ornate wooden pieces. A comprehensive world class exhibition on Hinduism and India is housed underneath the Mandir. It covers an area of 6,000 sq.ft. The Haveli, a cultural complex, is an adjoining building of huge magnitude which accommodates all functional needs and requirements. The Shree Swaminaryan Mandir in Nairobi, inspired by HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, like the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in London, has become a centre of inspiration, learning and service to society.

Mandir Facts & Features
 
Stones

• Jesalmer Yellow stone: 16,500 sq. ft. (350 tons)
• Carrara Marble from Italy: 13,200 sq. ft.
• Kota stone from India: 10,000 sq. ft.

Features

• 5 Shikhars (Pinnacles)
• 7 Ghummats (Domes)
• 66 Sthambas (Pillars)
• 40 Gavakshas (Windows)
• 23 Samarans (Arches)
• 4 Zarukhas (Balconies)
• 80 different designs
• 30 different ceiling designs
• 5 staircases
• 6,000 delicate floral designs in wood

Modern

• The only carved wooden dome in Kenya and perhaps, Africa.
• Concealed lighting and audio system
• Interactive exhibition on the ground floor
• Two beautifully designed fountains
• Indigenous African timber used: Elgon Teak, Mvuli, Mahogany and White Oak

Work Force

• 235 craftsmen during peak time.
• Over 1 million man-hours have gone into the project since inception
  (150,000 man-hours by devotees and 850,000 man-hours by craftsmen).

Haveli Facts

• The Haveli comprises of a prayer hall, kitchen, dining hall, concourse, assembly hall, administrative offices, gymnasium, dispensary, youth hall and a centre for social services.

Eco-Friendly

• Maximum use of natural light through light wells.
• Installation of energy efficient lighting system.
• A total of over 500 species of plants have been used to create a botanical environment.