One of Europe's largest Hindu temples to open

[Guest guest]

One of Europe's largest Hindu temples to open in Birmingham

Publisher: Jon Land

Published: 17/08/2006 - 16:51:07 PM

 

 

http://www.24dash.com/_images/news/9394/m_UK_hindus.jpg

10,000 expected at Hindu

temple opening

 

More than 10,000 people are expected to gather near Birmingham for

an elaborate ceremony to officially open one of Europe's largest

Hindu temples, it emerged today.

 

The celebrations at the Sri Venkateswara Balaji Temple in Tividale

are set to last for five days, starting on August 23.

 

A 12ft replica of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna will be unveiled and

around a dozen Hindu priests will perform ancient Vedic rituals to

purify and sanctify the land and the buildings.

 

The £7 million temple complex has been part-funded with a grant from

the Millennium Fund and stands on 13.5 acres of former waste land.

 

It has been built in the style of the ancient and sacred temple of

Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati, India, which is thought to be the

second richest religious establishment after the Vatican.

 

Scores of stone masons and artisans were brought from India to work

on the intricate carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses inside the

temple.

 

Dr VP Narayan Rao, chairman of trustees at the temple, said: "This

is the fulfilment of a long cherished dream, the end of a long road

and the beginning of a new era, not just for those most closely

involved with the temple project but for every Hindu in the world."

 

It is hoped the temple will attract many of Britain's 600,000 Hindus

and even worshippers from across Europe and the rest of the world.

 

Bimal Krishna Das, secretary of the National Council of Hindu

Temples, said: "This is great news for the British Hindu community.

The opening of this great temple will be a wonderful addition to the

multi-religious society of Britain, especially in West Midlands."

 

Copyright Press Association 2006.

http://www.24dash.com/content/news/viewNews.php?navID=7&newsID=9394

[Sean McHugh 0]

I live on the same road as this temple- it's a fabulous place, very active and well run, and increasingly luxurious and impressive. I contributed to the Wiki article (Venkateswara Balaji temple, Tividale), inc a few photos links.

[suchandra 1]

 

I live on the same road as this temple- it's a fabulous place, very active and well run, and increasingly luxurious and impressive. I contributed to the Wiki article (Venkateswara Balaji temple, Tividale), inc a few photos links.

http://www.bhamhindutemple.org/

http://www.venkateswara.org.uk/