Two Marvellous Temples in U.K.( Part--I )

                                        ( BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR)

                                      [ Commonly known as Neasden Temple]

   

BAPS Swaminarayan Temple 

Front View

 Though I am a believer in God, I am very much reluctant to go to temples during festive seasons , as I

 have to wade through surging crowds, almost smothered with sweating bodies, to get a momentary glimpse of the idol in the inner sanctum. So to avoid this heavy rush and long serpentine queues, just one day before Lord Krishna’s Birthday (called Janmashtami), we planned to visit two well-known temples located in and nearby Wembley, a flourishing business center in the London borough of Brent towards north west of London.

Innerveiw of the temple

         

Marble carving on pillars

The first temple is Swami Narayan Temple established in August.1995 by H.H. Pramukh Swami 

Maharaj, the fifth spiritual successor of Swami Narayan and the leader of BAPS (Bochasanwasi  Sri

Akshar Purushottam Swami Narayan Sanstha). Just opposite this temple there is Swami Narayan School

(founded in 1992) which imparts training in Indian Arts and Culture, besides teaching other class

subjects.Adjoining the temple there is “BAPS SWAMINARAYAN HAVELI”  ( inaugurated in August,

1995), a beautiful construction in wood, which serves as a multi-function Hall. An air of discipline and

selfless service,I noticed, as I entered the precincts of the temple where there was tight security and

careful scrutiny of the visitors. A flight of steps led us inside a spacious hall surrounded by beautifully

sculptured pantheon of Hindu deities embellished with ornaments amidst electric illumination. None

was allowed to touch them.  On the raised pedestals, the statues of Lord Krishna and His Consort Radha,

and those of Rama, Sita and  Lakshmana were very attractive.  There are seven shrine houses with  various Hindu deities installed for whom pooja (worship) is done separately .In the prayer hall lit by myriad lights on the gold platform we saw the marble idols of Swami Narayana flanked by his two principal close associates, glittering like suns with golden brilliance. An astounding variety of dishes,syrups and sweets including cakes and pastry were kept before each idol—a visual treat to onlookers! During the Diwali festival (the festival of lights) nearly one thousand and five hundred varieties of vegetarian dishes are offered as  Naivedya ( holy offering to gods) to celebrate the Hindu New Year.

Swami Narayan with his associates

Radha and Krishna

  

Marble sculptues on pillars

Marble art on Pillars

The idol of Lord Ganesh

The idol of Lord Hanuman

     

On the ceiling and on the colonnades we saw beautiful carved figures and sculptures of various deities in

various poses such as the ten divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lords of nine planets and Lords of eight

directions , Lord Shiva and His Consort Parvathi along with other divinities with sub-titles mentioning

their names. One has to spend many hours and days even to know about the superb workmanship and

construction of this temple – a splendid construction for which more than five thousand tons of Italian

marble and Bulgarian limestone  had been carved by fifteen hundred and twenty six skilled sculptors 

assisted by volunteers  in a period of just two and a half years in the classic style of Indian art and

sculpture.More than twelve million pounds had been spent on this wonderful creation of inestimable beauty.

   

Souvnir Shop

Wonderful carvings on ceiling

The Sculpture of Lord Vishnu

Lord Hanuman

    

  

Just near the entrance there is a souvenir  shop  with a variety of books, souvenirs, photos and gift items

.Near the parking place there is a café called “Shayana Café” offering many vegetarian snacks to whet

our appetite, along with other provisions for domestic purpose. This temple was visited by many eminent

dignitaries like Sri Guljarilal Nanda (Former Prime Minister of India)and Prince Charles in July 2000 and by James Cameron, Prime Minister of U.K.  It found its place in the famous Guinness records as “the largest Hindu Temple outside India.” This temple also won wide acclaim for its unique presentation of nearly 1247 dishes during the celebration of its “Annakuta Festival “ in the Guinness Book of World Records.

As we came out we felt how sublime and immeasurable the range of art is, which is beyond the

imagination of common people like us.  Then how great and noble God would be who created such

master craftsmen --- too bold to to think – we thought!

                                        **********************************

     27th March , 2014                                                                 SOMASESHU GUTALA