UK & Ireland

In 1993 5000 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and Italian Carrara marble were shipped half way round the world to be hand-carved by 1500 Indian craftsmen and then shipped back to London. In all, over 26,000 intricately carved panels, including carved pieces of Indian Ambaji marble, were assembled like a giant jigsaw by volunteers in just under three years to create the first traditional Hindu Temple in Europe.

The enormity of the task can be appreciated by anyone who has tried to put together an IKEA flat-pack.

A Labour of Love

The Hindu temple or Mandir in Neasden was a labour of love for the 3,000 volunteers who gave up their time and expertise to complete the vision of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj the spiritual leader of the Hindu faith. Young and old became involved in the hard day to day work and the home of the Hindu community was born in the area.
These ordinary people miraculously constructed this extraordinary building without the use of structural steel according to the ancient Vedic architectural texts. Rising out of the grimy streets of north-west London it looks like a fantasy white castle put there by an ancient magician. The large white arch leads to a staircase ornately carved with figures, flowers and animals and from there to the doors of the Mandir itself.

Internally this building is a masterpiece and the dome in the centre of the temple pulls the eye heavenwards, creating a calm peace and tranquillity. Every square inch of the columns and walls is covered with elaborate designs to glorify the Hindu love of beauty.
Hinduism is the world’s oldest living religion dating back to 6,500 BCE. It has no one single founder but is based on the collective experiences of the ancient seers and forms the foundation of the Vedic traditions.

Spiritual growth for all....

Hinduism teaches one to see the presence of God in the whole of creation and allows everyone the right to their own spiritual growth. Some may know the Story of Ramayana that was serialised on television some years ago and told the complex tale of Rama and his wife Sita. Sita is honoured as an example of perfect Hindu womanhood. She was married to Lord Rama and was his most beloved devotee. Her love was put to the test on the day of Rama’s coronation, for on that day, Rama was sent into exile for fourteen years by the intrigues and plotting of his wicked step-mother. The city sank into gloom and despondency but when Rama left, Sita followed after him. The lesson she taught the world was that a husband and wife should share everything that life brings them - both the joys and sorrows. A lesson for the modern world of today.

The Hindu religion worships many deities: Brahma the Creator is considered as the first god of the Hindu Trinity, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Vishnu is recognized as the sustainer of the Universe and regarded as the Supreme Being, the god of gods.
Perhaps the most well known, for us in the west, are Lord Ganesha – portrayed as elephant headed, who is the god of beginnings, knowledge, wisdom and the intellect and Lord Hanuman shown as a monkey, who portrays courage, hope and devotion.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - peace and beauty

Each day offerings are made in the Mandir to these deities and prayers are offered within the central temple to gatherings of over 2,500 people each weekend. All are welcome to visit this temple and join with the worshipers to experience the peace and beauty which envelopes the gathering.

This building is a symbol of the collective spirit of ordinary person to help achieve the realisation of a dream.

Visit of find out more

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
105-119 Brentfield Road, Neasden, London NW10 8LD
Tel: +44 208965 2651 Email: info@mandir.org

www.mandir.org