Look inside new Hindu temple during Diwali celebrations

The long-awaited opening of the new Hindu temple in Ashton-under-Lyne marks the culmination of almost seven years of work by hundreds of volunteers from the local Hindu fellowship. Opening just in time to celebrate Diwali, We popped along to take a look around.

The new temple, which is called ‘BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir’, is part of the same Hindu denomination that has created the internationally acclaimed ‘Neasden Temple’ in London.

To mark the beginning of the Hindu New Year, festivals have taken place across Greater Manchester. This year’s Diwali celebrations are even more timely and significant, being the first celebration following the opening of the new Mandir.

Before the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the iconic community celebrations hosted by BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir welcomed hundreds of worshippers, well-wishers and members of the local community to celebrate the traditions of the Hindu faith. This year, the Mandir celebrated the values and traditions of Diwali, allowing devotees and visitors to visit the Mandir in a Covid-safe manner, in which visitors had to book and face masks were to be worn.

During the pandemic, volunteers and resident swamis at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – popularly known as ‘Neasden Temple’ and the headquarters for BAPS in the UK – embraced innovative ways to connect individuals, families and communities through online assemblies and services across the country.

As the world continues to grapple with the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, volunteer Manni Dhokia says that Diwali’s enlightening messages are needed more than ever.