01Carved in India, raised in London
Gujarati families from East Africa and India had worshipped in a converted building in north London for years. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, head of BAPS, set them the task of a shikharbaddha mandir built by the Shilpa Shastra, with no structural steel. Limestone was quarried in Bulgaria and marble in Italy, shipped to India and carved by hand, then shipped to London in numbered pieces. Volunteers raised it in under three years, and it was opened on 20 August 1995.
02A London landmark
The mandir has seven pinnacles and six domes of carved marble, and the haveli beside it is built in carved English oak and Burmese teak. Arti is performed five times a day. Schools across Britain bring pupils here to learn about Hindu Dharma, and British prime ministers and members of the royal family have visited. At Diwali and Annakut, when hundreds of dishes are offered before the murtis, the queues stretch down the road.
The life of this place
- 20 August 1995The mandir was inaugurated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Near Neasden or Stonebridge Park stations. Entry is free; no bags, phones off, and modest dress.
