Mandirs of the diaspora: UK, USA and beyond

BAPS Neasden (London), BAPS Robbinsville (New Jersey) and others

Wherever Hindus have settled, temples have followed, and some have become pilgrimage places in their own right. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, opened in 1995, was built of stone hand-carved in India and assembled in the UK. The BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey, opened in 2023, is one of the largest Hindu temples in the Western world. The BAPS Mandir in Abu Dhabi opened in 2024.

Many other traditional temples serve their communities, such as the Sri Venkateswara temple in Pittsburgh. Most welcome respectful visitors; check dress codes and timings.

Many diaspora temples began in a living room or a rented hall, with a framed picture of a deity and a few families singing bhajans together on weekends. Over years of shared effort and donations they grew into the great mandirs seen today — living centres for language, music, dance and festivals for new generations.

UK · USA · UAE · BAPS Swaminarayan · Dīpāvalī · Community centres

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