Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UK's newest Hindu temple officially opens in Oldham

The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir cost £7 million with the local Hindu community donating all the funds.

UK's newest Hindu temple officially opens in Oldham

Britain's newest Hindu temple has been officially opened and it is located in Oldham in Greater Manchester.

The Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, which cost £7 million with the local Hindu community donating all the funds, features an entranced gate which is hand-carved in marble that has been imported from India.


Construction for the temple started in 2019 after the local community arranged for the funds and volunteers came forward to help with the structure's construction. The construction work started with a special brick-laying ceremony but work was delayed until 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Contractors were roped in to build the initial shell but once it was completed, the local Hindus took over the work in September last year, ITV reported.

Thereafter, the entire temple project has been managed by the volunteers, including men and women, who have worked all day a week to complete the structure and the community centre. Current and former residents of Oldham also came forward and items such as windows, doors and floorings were donated, the report added.

The original temple -- an old church -- was bought in the late 1970s for £6,000. It is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and the local community said the completion of the new state-of-the-art temple also commemorated that milestone of history.

Hitesh Bhuda, the temple's president, told ITV, "It is a unique building. It's one of the best in Oldham. A lot of effort and a lot of work from volunteers have gone in from the last three years. Work started in 2020 and a lot of volunteers have come here to help.

"The temple is welcome to the whole community. People of all religions are welcome to come and have a look."

Neesha Kara, a youth leader, told the channel, "I have no words. Two years ago this was just land and to see it like it is today, it is amazing.

"I think it is so important that the temple is open to the whole community. We are getting everybody involved, not just Hindus. Everyone is welcome. For the elderly members and the younger members of the community there is so much to do. We've got a sports hall for the kids and garden space for elders."

Anil Kara, a volunteer, told BBC, "Lot of hard work has gone into completing this temple. Since September, it is a volunteer-led kind of a build. We have had kind of 100 people most weekends travelling from around the whole of the UK to kind of complete this so there's a lot of hard work and sweat gone into it."

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less