History, Timing, Architecture, Social and Religious Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple, London, Britain
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple is popularly known as Neasden Temple. It is a Hindu shrine, located in the Neasden area of London (England). This Swaminarayan temple is considered the first genuine Hindu temple in Britain. The temple was built using conventional materials and methods. It was also the first conventional Hindu stone temple in Europe, as different from a converted worldly building. The temple is a branch of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) organization. Pramukh Swami Maharaj inaugurated the temple in 1995. There is a Haveli adjacent to the temple. It is used as an aesthetic center.
The Hindu community of that area contributed to the fund for making the temple and the haveli. It took almost 5 years to complete the temple. The construction started in August 1992. The shrine recorded the largest ever solid pour in the UK. Within 24 hours, 4,500 tons were laid to create a groundwork mat 1.8 m thick. The first stone was put in June 1993. The building was completed after two years of it.
The first Swaminarayan temple in the United Kingdom was opened in a renovated abandoned church in June 1970. The church was in Islington of London and was inaugurated by Yogiji Maharaj.
Having surmounted the shrine, the gathering of followers moved to a small storehouse in Neasden from the Islington temple. It was the incident of 1982.
The congregation was growing faster, so BAPS started searching for a bigger place to accommodate it. This is the time when the idea for the present temple was made.
In 1995, the congregation shifted to their present temple. It was built on the place of an abandoned truck storehouse, just opposite the previous temple. The old shrine building was renovated and turned into a vegetarian restaurant and an Indian grocery shop.
BAPS Swaminarayana Temple London Architecture
The temple was constructed following the design of Shilpa-Shastras. It is a Vedic manuscript that builds up Hindu architecture to symbolize the different attributes of God symbolically. The temple was entirely made of Sardinian granite, Italian marble, Bulgarian limestone, and Indian marble. The exclusive feature of the architecture was no use of steel or iron for the whole construction. Architect C. B. Sompura with his team preferred to use only stone for the construction. The temple has seven tiered peaks. The peaks are topped by golden spires. The spires are balanced by five ribbon domes. The central dome is generously carved. It is the only dome in Britain that does not use steel or iron. The twisting ribbons of stone join the columns into arches inside. The exterior of the temple is made of Vartza limestone from Bulgaria but the interior is of Italian Carrara marble.
Festival celebrated at BAPS Swaminarayana Temple London
Holi is said to be the festival of colors for the Hindus. Holi is celebrated with great passion in this temple. The devotees take part in the festival of colors. Apart from the Hindus, foreign visitors also seem to enjoy the festival a lot.
Diwali, the festival of lights is also celebrated in this temple. The rituals are conducted for 4 days. People are found to take part in all the customs with great devotion. They try to maintain their tradition by following the rituals properly.
Both the festival of colors and lights are celebrated in the temple with immense devotion. The temple gets a gorgeous look during both festivals.
Special rituals followed at BAPS Swaminarayana Temple London
Few unique rituals are performed in the Swaminarayan temple. There are five types of Aartis performed in the temple starting with the Mangala Aarti. The idols that are ornamented in their night outfits are woken by the priests before the Aarti. The second one is the Shangar Aarti, which starts from 9.00 am to 11.00 am. The doors get closed after 11.00 am to offer food to the deities. The daily routine follows Rajbhog Aarti, Sandhya Aarti, and Shayan Aarti.
BAPS Swaminarayana Temple London Daily Darshan Time
The temple remains open from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm every day. Visitors are not allowed to enter after 6.00 pm.
The Swaminarayan Mandir of London is one of the gorgeous Hindu shrines in the United Kingdom. Many tourists come to visit this temple every year.
How to Reach BAPS Swaminarayana Temple London, UK
The London Heathrow Airport (LHA) is the closest option for this temple. Cab facilities are available outside the airport.
