PROCESSION MARKS OPENING OF NEW TEMPLE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Procession marks the opening of new temple

Hundreds of devotees took to the streets of Leicester for a colourful procession which marked the opening of a new Hindu temple. 

Worshippers followed dozens of floats carrying murtis – sacred images of Hindu Gods – from Belgrave Road to the new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Gipsy Lane, on Saturday. 

The images were placed in the temple and consecrated during a special ceremony yesterday. It is believed that by walking them through the streets, the city and its residents will be blessed.
Jag Patel, 33, from Gipsy Lane, said the ceremony had brought the Hindu community together. 

"Having this beautiful new temple on our doorstep is going to be absolutely amazing," she said. 

"It is not just a place of worship, but a place for all the community to gather, with lots going on for the whole family. We will be visiting very often." 

The £4 million temple was hand-crafted in India, and brought to the UK by boat before being assembled on site. 

It replaces a temple in St James, Street, Leicester, which the congregation had outgrown. 

Kirit Patel, the mandir's (temple's) lead coordinator said: "We've been building up to this moment for a while now, and the mandir is finally open to all. 

"It will play an important role in our society and we were absolutely delighted to see all members of our community come together and celebrate this momentous occasion with us." 

Mother of three, Claire Cummins, 26, who lives in Gipsy Lane, said she has been watching the construction of the temple and was looking forward to seeing the interior. 

She said: "The procession gives the wider community an insight into the Hindu community. 

"We have been seeing the construction of the temple and it is simply a work of art. 

"My kids walk past the temple every day and I will most definitely be taking them to see it inside." 

Passers-by watched worshippers in traditional Indian dress perform songs and dances as they followed the procession. 

Nisha Patel, 25, who works at Radha Sweet Mart on Melton Road, said the event transported her back to India. 

"The colours, the songs and seeing people having a great time has made me feel so much a part of the community," she said. 

"I have only been living in Leicester for a short time and it's nice to see so much culture." 

The long awaited opening of the mandir comes after three years of hard work and fund-raising by volunteers.