Thousands of worshippers celebrate temple anniversary in Oldham

The 47th Anniversary celebration at the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Oldham drew thousands of attendees. The event featured food, music, and various cultural activities, providing a festive atmosphere. 

Hindu monks from India also graced the occasion, maintaining the temple’s tradition of offering daily darshan since its relocation two years ago. Anil Kara, a trustee of the Mandir, expressed how the temple has evolved into a hub for community engagement, cultural exchange, and learning, making it a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.

He said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this temple is that it has become a place for our community to join, learn, and share our cultural traditions. 

“It is the third Swaminarayan temple in the UK but was the first Swaminarayan temple to hold prayer services seven days a week, both mornings and evenings. 

“It has been a blessing to be able to build this place of worship for not only the people of Manchester but to those throughout the UK and beyond.”

The event drew visitors from London, Cardiff, and Scotland. The main sponsors provided a diverse range of cuisines, such as Italian, English, Mexican, Indian, and Gurjati, adding to the week’s festivities.

Mr Kara said: “All the food was made by the temple volunteers and was all vegetarian, as we do not consume any type of meat, fish or eggs.

“We also had a number of cultural programs from dancing, musical performances and reenactments of key stories from the lord’s time on earth.

“One of the most rewarding aspects is the volunteers who come to help clean, cook and maintain the temple, which has become a place for the whole Oldham community to join, learn, and share our cultural traditions.”

Ever since its establishment, the temple has hosted various community events and fundraising activities. These include sessions to raise awareness about mental health and challenge stigmas in South Asian communities, as well as a garden party to support local charities such as Maggies and Saheli, which focuses on domestic issues.

Moreover, the temple provides sports facilities and hosts clubs, including women-only netball and football. Additionally, it has offered classes in yoga, traditional dohl, and piano.

Hitesh Bhudia, Temple President, said: “Getting the opportunity to hold sessions such as women’s only football, has helped bring the community together and highlights the importance of unification. 

“We hope the activities and events we are putting on for Hindu and non-Hindu communities continue to bring people together and serve our community for generations to come.”