Who We Are
Temple Charity Registration
Commited to nourishing our community’s roots, our temple opened one of the UK’s first Gujarati schools. Here, generations have learnt our traditions, and values.
London welcomed one of it’s first Hindu Temples
In 1975, our pioneers followed the divine vision of Mahant Dharmajivandasji Swami, acquiring the blessed land where our mandir’s foundations would be laid, establishing a spiritual home for generations to seek the divine and officially opened on 11th October, 1975.
Gujarati School Opens
Commited to nourishing our community’s roots, our temple opened one of the UK’s first Gujarati schools. Here, generations have learnt our traditions, and values.
Construction of the New Temple Began
Commited to nourishing our community’s roots, our temple opened one of the UK’s first Gujarati schools. Here, generations have learnt our traditions, and values.
The New Swaminarayan Temple was officially Opened
In an inspired move, our temple leadership decided to demolish the existing structures to erect a new home befitting our growing congregation. This courageous initiative paved the way for an expanded abode, where more souls could find spiritual nourishment. In July 1988, our vision came to fruition as construction finished on our splendid new temple.
Ghanshyam Maharaj was Installed
H.H. 1008 Acharya Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj (now retired) consecrated this beautiful form of Ghanshyam Maharaj into His new abode; helping scores of devotees to channel their love and devotion. Tens of thousands attend the grand procession from Hyde Park, Central London, to this temple where our new marching band performed.
One of the First English Translations of the Shikshapatri Published
Shikshapatri, a pillar of our faith, from Gujarati into English. This effort expanded access to its divine guidance, bringing its eternal teachings to devotees across languages and generations.
Release of First Music Album
Released the first music album “Kirtan Dhara” mixing contemporary and traditional styles. Also, a school built in Lathur, Maharashtra after a devastating earthquake.
GCSE Exam Centre Granted
Our Gujarati School officially recognized as a centre to take GCSE Exams.
Youth Academy Launched
In 1997, our temple launched the Youth Academy, fostering young souls through sports and moulding future generations grounded in spirituality.
Release of our own Gujarati Text Books
Released our own Gujarati textbooks, which are utilized in educational institutions in the United Kingdom and other countries. Additionally, we started providing tuition and making investments in our kids’ future.
Launch of Our Website
By launching our official website, we are promoting spirituality globally. In order to assist our community in maintaining our dietary customs, we have released our own vegetarian fact sheet.
Celebration of 25th Anniversary
We celebrated the 25th anniversary of our temple and the start of lessons at a Gujarati school. At the 02 center, we also displayed our great tradition, culture, and commitment.
Devastating Earthquake that shook our motherland Bhuj, India
When Bhuj, our community’s home town, was struck by a devastating earthquake, our temple took lead on support from the UK. Volunteers rushed to India to assist, while our temple became a hub for collecting donations of money, clothing, food, water, and supplies.
With united hearts, we raised an incredible £500,000 and shipped over 60 tonnes of essential items to help those in need and aid in rebuilding the city. This remarkable show of solidarity and generosity exemplified the strength of our community and its commitment to supporting those in need.
Partnership with Oxford Library for Shikshapatri
We collaborated on the digital Shikshapatri Project with the Oxford Library. Yes, we did earn £5000 for the wonderful Ormond Street Hospital during the first Easter Shibir (Youth Convention). To engage with young people across the nation, we had our first road trip to the United Kingdom.
Installations of Murtis - Suryanarayan Dev & Shiv-Parvati
In our temple, Vachanamrut classes begin to develop an in-depth vedic knowledge, saints from india dedicated to youth work arrived, working closely with our temple, murtis of lord suryanarayan dev installed, and a text reminder service was launched for festivals and events happending at the temple.
Ghanshyam Bal Kendra Started
We beginning with Ghanshyam Bal Kendra for kids aged 4-7 years. Our temple raised £40,000 for the first tabla classes with world-recognited artist sirish kumar. H.H. 1008 acharya For the first time as acharya, shri Koshalendraprasadji Maharaj honoured our 30th anniversary.
First holy pilgrimage on Himalayan Mountains
For the first time, more than a thousand youngsters from all across the UK united at Willesden Temple to embark on their first holy pilgrimage of India in the Himalayan Mountains.
Opening of the newly Built Bhuj Mandir and Grand Celebrations
Following the earthquake, our mother temple in Bhuj moved to a new location and embarked on building a large grand temple. Willesden Mandir donated 2 golden doors for Shree Narnarayandev & Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj. Our temple was the largest donor with immense empowerment from devotees towards their motherland where we raised over 17cr rupees.
Charity Bike Ride
Our young people collaborated with the Preservation Plus Project and the Swaminarayan Museum to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma research by presenting their creative talents on the international stage.
Unity With Community Event at Diamond Street Jubilee Party
The event was recognised very positively and personally appreciated by Brent Council and Her Late Majesty the Queen. We raised £2,000 that contributed towards purchasing a minibus for Manor School, a large special school in heart of Brent.
Celebration of Shree Ghanshyam Maharaj's Silver Jubilee
The Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Temples Girls’ Marching Band gave its outstanding performance during the Grand Procession across Willesden’s streets, and the charity walk raised over £40,000 for the hospital.
Holy pilgrimage at South India and Gujarat
Young people embarked on a religious journey through Gujarat and South India.
First Ladies Culture Event
Women’s empowerment was the primary objective of the first arts and culture performance night hosted by ladies.
First 8 Temple Shibir (Youth Convention)
A brand-new children’s school in Nepal was donated by First Healthy Hearts Health Check-up after the devastating 2015 earthquake.
Host on National SLC Cup Sports Competition
The permission for construction was granted after several years of struggle to start work to renovate the temple and construct a dedicated elderly home. Temple Youth Declared and introduced our new values of love, inspiration, flourishing, and hosting the annual national SLC Cup sports competition.
Murti Stolen
Murtis of our Cherished Hari Krishna Maharaj were Stolen.
Opening of Bhakti Dharma Centre
The Grand Opening of Bhakti Dharma Center and Radha Krishna House, a dedicated residence for the elderly, presented 200 years of the sacred scripture “Vachanamrut” with Hari Krishna Mahotsav to celebrate the finishment of regeneration work and welcome to the new Hari Krishna Murtis.
Temple First time Closed due to COVID Pandemic
SSYM Digital was established to ensure that spiritual growth would keep going during the pandemic. We established the Temple’s Helping Hands charity division, where we gave relief packages to disadvantaged people in our neighborhood. Every day, more than one tonne of fruits and vegetables were distributed out. 105 days after guru purima, we opened our doors and started our takeout food service, “Bhojanam.”
Hosted First Samuh Bhagwat Katha
To honor the many souls who was left for akshardham during the pandemic, we hosted our first samuh bhagvat katha, a sacred week long event.
Grand Parva Celebrations
In Ahmedabad, devotees attended the grand parva celebrations marking 200 years of the first Swaminarayan temple in history. BHUJ MAHANT SWAMI expressed his wish to see our GHANSHYAM MAHARAJ, who gave Darshan under a golden sinhaan and assisted hands in starting a food bank which provides locals with essentials every Saturday.
Grand 200 years Celebrations at Bhuj Mandir
Devotees attended the grand 200-year celebrations of Bhuj Mandir, which honored our legacy, and Willesden Temple held a visionary exhibition in honor of the temple’s 200th anniversary. Celebrating 25 years of the Youth Academy and 50 years of our charity registration, the women of our community organized the first “She Elevates” event with the goal of inspiring.
