Swaminarayan Temple, Chhapia

Swaminarayan Temple at Chhapia (Chhapaiya) in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh, marks the birthplace of Ghanshyam Pande, later known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan, founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. Located about 50 km from Ayodhya, the temple complex includes the Janmabhoomi shrine, Ghanshyam Bhavan, and a museum displaying artefacts related to his early life. It is a major pilgrimage centre for followers and visitors interested in its religious heritage.

Visitors can expect a temple complex built at the birthplace of Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the village of Chhapaiya. The site includes the main shrine with murtis of Ghanshyam Maharaj and his parents, Ghanshyam Bhavan marking the exact birthplace, a museum with models and artefacts depicting his childhood, prayer halls, and landscaped courtyards. The environment is devotional and quiet, with facilities for darshan, parikrama, and viewing exhibits related to the saint's early life.

The temple marks the birthplace of Ghanshyam Pande, born on 3 April 1781 (Chaitra Sud Navami, Samvat 1837) in Chhapaiya to Dharmadev and Bhaktimata. He later became known as Bhagwan Swaminarayan, founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday. The original birthplace home has been preserved as Ghanshyam Bhavan, and the larger temple complex was developed to commemorate his early life spent in the village until age 11.

The site is a principal pilgrimage centre for the Swaminarayan Sampraday and is revered as the Janmabhoomi of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It hosts major religious gatherings during Swaminarayan Jayanti, Ram Navami, Diwali and Annakut, attracting devotees from across India and abroad. The temple and museum preserve traditions, rituals and teachings associated with his life and philosophy.