Landmark £5 million Hindu temple okayed in England

Planning Committee of Oldham Council in England has reportedly unanimously approved application of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj for erecting a Hindu Temple in Oldham. This landmark building will reportedly include prayer hall, multi-function hall, teaching and ancillary spaces, landscaped gardens, a central courtyard, accommodation for visiting Swamis, priest’s quarter, parking. This over 0.5-hectare site was a maintenance depot. According to reports, Temple roof will feature three decorative domes and main entrance to the center of the temple will be more ornate with a decorative arch and columns. It will offer both facilities for worship and for associated community events, including teaching; and flexible, multi-function community spaces. There is a St Pauls Church in the locality. It will open from seven am to ten pm daily and there will be separate entrances for males and females into their respective sections of the prayer hall, reports suggest. It will replace the existing Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Oldham; launched on October 22, 1977 after refurbishing a Baptist Church, and opening daily since then. Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of the organization, temple leaders and area community towards realizing this temple complex. Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple would help in this direction. Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj is a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas and Upanishads. It was revealed and established by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in India in the late 18th century. It has over 2200 temples and centers worldwide with over a million followers, who take five vows which include abstaining from alcohol and intoxicating drugs, meat, adultery, stealing, consuming food-drinks from improper sources. Ginny Alexander and Carolyn Wilkins are Mayor and Chief Executive respectively of Oldham, while Sean Fielding is Leader of Oldham Council and Peter Dean is Chair of its Planning Committee.