History, Timing, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham, United Kingdom
The Shree Geeta Bhawan Temple is located on the border of the Handsworth and Lozells districts of Birmingham. It is the first Hindu shrine in the Midlands of England, which was opened in a previous church in 1969. The building of the temple was originally St. George’s Presbyterian Church, which was designed by J.P. Osborne. The church was established around 1896. Although, it was renovated in the form of a temple and reopened in 1969.
History of Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham
The hardest thing for the immigrants coming from India was to find a place of worship in England. As most of the citizens belong to the Christian community, the Hindu people were not getting a comfortable place of worship. The scenario was the same for every part of Britain. The people started to arrange gatherings in small groups in each other’s houses. They used to conduct all the religious and spiritual performances in this way. By the passing months, the community started growing bigger to participate in the worships and rituals. The homes were not having enough space to accommodate such a large group of people. Eventually, they started to search for a bigger place where they could perform all the worship and rituals properly. The search ended when they came to know about the church. The church in the city was an abandoned building that they thought to use for a purpose of worship. The people struggled harder to get all the legal permissions for constructing a temple. They even started collecting funds from the neighboring Hindu families for the renovation of the church. The construction of building a temple in the place of the church started within a few months. Finally, in 1969, the formation of the temple was finished.
Architecture of Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham
The original design of the church was in the shape of a cruciform. It was designed by J.P. Osborne. It was renovated in the shape of a temple but there was a touch of modern architecture. The entry gates of the temple have tall towers to make it feel like a temple. The towers have designs of fine carvings. Although the rest of the parts reflect the contemporary form of architecture. The interior of the temple has a giant hill, which used to be the prayer hall of the church. It is now used for Hindu worship.
Festivals celebration at Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham
Ram Navami is a very significant festival celebrated in this Geeta Mandir. Ram Navami is celebrated for Lord Ram. It is usually celebrated on the 9th day of Navratri and before Dusshera. The Hindu devotees of Birmingham seem to enjoy this festival a lot.
Janmashtami is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated in the temple. Janmashtami is the day when Lord Krishna was given birth. Many Krishna devotees from various parts of the country come to visit this temple during Janmashtami.
The festival of lights is also celebrated here with great zeal. The devotees participate in all the rituals with great fidelity. The temple gets decorated with a completely different look at this time. The local people seem to enjoy this festival a lot.
The Rath Yatra or Chariot festival is the most important festival celebrated in this Radha Krishna temple. It is one of the most significant festivals for the Hindus. The Chariot festival is mostly celebrated by the end of June or the beginning of July. A huge chariot is shown in the way of a procession on the roads. Many people gather to participate in this procession. The roads from where the chariot moves become decorated with flower petals and colors. Rath yatra is mainly the festival of Lord Jagannath and his two siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra. The long march is such a beautiful thing to witness.
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.
All these major Hindu festivals are celebrated with immense fidelity in this temple.
Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham Daily Darshan Timings
The visiting hours of the Geeta Mandir are from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm. The Mandir does not allow any visitors inside from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
The Mandir is one of the most devoted Hindu temples in England. The number of visitors grows bigger at the time of the festivals. It is a place of interest to many, because of its unique architecture.
How to Reach Shree Geeta Bhawan Mandir, Birmingham, Britain.
Birmingham Airport is the nearest option from where cabs are available to reach the temple.
