The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir[a] is a Hindu temple complex located in Chino Hills, in southwestern San Bernardino County in southern California.

[4] In 1977, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the former spiritual leader of BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), visited California.

[5] Nineteen years later, in 1996, the local group made a proposal to build a larger facility, including a traditional stone mandir, to fulfill Pramukh Swami's vision that he had shared with them almost two decades earlier and to accommodate their growing congregation.

[5] With this thrust from their guru, the group successfully acquired the land and obtained all the necessary permits, studies and approvals to build the mandir and ten other buildings—a process that proved much more arduous and lengthy than they had anticipated.

"Instead, city staff will meet 26 August, taking two additional weeks to investigate information noted by residents about the temple that has not been previously revealed is causing concern."

On 14 September 2004, after a seven and half hour meeting with a crowd between 1200 and 1500 individuals, the Chino Hills City Council voted 4–1 to deny a code change that would allow the temple to be traditionally constructed.

[7] Residents of Chino Hills objected to the Temple saying "it would generate too much traffic, ruin the city’s rural atmosphere and become an unwanted regional attraction.

The temple, Mayor Rogers added, "is a beautiful testament to the hard work of your congregation who has spent several years to build this place of worship.

"[3] Constructed from 35,000 pieces of meticulously hand carved Italian Carrara marble and Indian Pink sandstone, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills, encompasses five pinnacles, two large domes, four balconies, 122 pillars and 129 archways.

From the external walls and domes to the inside pillars and ceilings, the Mandir is completely etched with intricate carvings in marble and sandstone.

[13] The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, in Chino Hills, hosted a community health fair providing free check-ups and numerous tests for over 425 participants.

"[16] As a local beneficiary to its annual walkathon, the students of Chino Hills High School received a donation of $5,000.00 from BAPS Charities.

[18][19][20] On March 29, 2020, all six BAPS shikharbaddha mandirs in North America broadcast a special mahapuja performed by the swamis to pray on behalf of all those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[23] US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy praised BAPS Charities for hosting vaccination clinics at mandirs which increased accessibility for the elderly.