The King and Queen celebrate 30 years of Neasden Temple, London

The King and Queen visited ‘Neasden Temple’, Europe’s first traditional Hindu stone temple, to mark three decades since its opening in August 1995. Their Majesties met worshippers and representatives from community and social impact initiatives. 

Their Majesties, as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, last visited Neasden Temple in 2009. The King also visited in 1996, when he was Prince of Wales, the year after the Temple opened.

The King and Queen were welcomed to the temple by dignitaries including the Chair of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK, Mr Jitu Patel. 

Inside the Mandir, Their Majesties paused for a moment of reflection in the central shrine, before observing flower petals being offered to the sacred image of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the principal deity of the temple. Here, The King and Queen viewed the ten-metre-high central dome, renowned for its intricate carvings. 

Their Majesties also observed an Abhishek—a ceremonial pouring of water over a deity’s image—performed by the Head Priest, Pujya Yogvivekdas Swami. 

In the Haveli foyer, The King and Queen were invited to view a model of the BAPS Mandir currently under construction in Paris, which was the first traditional Hindu temple in France. The Indian High Commissioner to the UK, the French Ambassador to the UK, and architects and craftsmen explained the scale and significance of the project.

Following this, Their Majesties met representatives from community and social impact initiatives supported by the Temple, including The Felix Project and Women of the World (WoW). 

Inspired today by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the Mandir’s charitable work includes the annual BAPS Charity Challenge, which raises funds for both in-house educational and community programmes and respected partners. From surplus food redistribution to youth service initiatives, the focus of the charitable work is impact with dignity. During times of need – from the Covid-19 pandemic to winter hardship and festive seasons – the temple has prepared and distributed thousands of hot meals and hampers to vulnerable residents in Brent and beyond

In the main assembly hall, schoolchildren performed Shanti Path, a Vedic prayer for world peace, followed by words of welcome from the Head Priest and a video message from His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj. 

Before departing, The King and Queen meet members of the community and joined the Head Priest and Mr Jitu Patel in front of the Mahamurti statue for a group photograph.