Hinduism and Hindu temples in London
The origins of the Swaminarayan Hindu Mission in London lie in the early 1950s. Hinduism particularly found in London where the majority of the country’s Hindu population lived there. Hinduism is found in Brent and Harrow cities where Hindus make up a fifth of the population. Indians were scarce and scattered, but in 1950 some devotees began to meet occasionally. Slowly, more Indians began to arrive in London and, from 1953 onwards, followers of the mission started to meet regularly.
London’s first temple place of worship was built in Islington in 1970. The best-known modern practitioner of Hinduism is Mahatma Gandhi, who studied law in London during the late 19th century. He went on to use non-violent political resistance based on Hindu beliefs to achieve India’s independence in 1947.
Today Hindus from India and Sri Lanka make up London’s third largest religious group. There are a number of Hindu organisations that provide various services to different audiences in the fields of education, health care, counselling, advocacy and other areas.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was located in Neasden, north London is popularly known as the ‘Neasden Temple’. This Swaminarayan Mandir is a masterpiece of Indian stonework and craftsmanship. The temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, whose fifth spiritual successor, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, is also the Mandir’s creator and the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
The Neasden mandir was completed in 1995, and as of 2009, the BAPS Swaminarayan movement in this country is said to number around “5000 families.
Shree Nathji Sanatan Hindu Mandir is located in Whipps Cross Road London.
Sri Katpaga Vinayagar Temple is located at Walthamstow in London.
Shri Sanatan Hindu Mandir, located at Wembley in London, was built using ancient Indian techniques. The design of the building is based on the Hindu scriptures of the Shilpa Shastras, with intricate patterns hand carved into the stone.
Shirdi Sai Temple located in Wembley at London.