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The 76-year-old monarch was greeted with the standard nadachadi, or sacred thread tying ceremony symbolising bonds of peace and friendship, by Head Priest Sadhu Yogvivekdas Swami.
The royals, who eliminated their footwear on the entrance, have been garlanded with flowers tied with pearls earlier than a tour of the ornate temple complicated – Europe’s first conventional Hindu stone temple, which opened in August 1995.
Dev Patel, an 11-year-old schoolboy, carried out a petals tribute ritual to the sacred picture of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the principal deity of the temple, because the King folded his arms in namaskar. He expressed his gratitude and wished the congregation a “belated Happy Diwali” after observing the abhishek ceremony of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj, the teenage type of Bhagwan Swaminarayan, carried out by the Patel household from south-east London.
Britain’s King Charles III visits BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (generally known as the ‘Neasden Temple’) in Neasden, London, Britain October 29, 2025. Arthur Edwards/Pool by way of REUTERS | Photo Credit: Arthur Edwards
“This Mandir is the house of God. Over these final 30 years, it has change into an integral a part of the non secular, cultural panorama of our nice nation; admired not just for its partnership, however for what it embodies – a dwelling centre of devotion, studying and repair,” mentioned Sadhu Yogvivekdas, in his welcome handle.
“This is all impressed and guided by our non secular chief, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, and the values that he upholds – values akin to compassion, respect, concord, values akin to humility, sincerity and integrity. All values that Their Majesties have additionally espoused all through a lifetime of public service,” he mentioned.
The priest highlighted the “consolation, encouragement and real friendship” supplied to the temple by Charles over time, together with with previous visits because the Prince of Wales in 1996 and 2007, and final in 2009 – when he was additionally joined by Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall.
In a video message from India, Mahant Swami Maharaj expressed his prayers for the great well being and well-being of the royals as they gathered in the primary meeting corridor the place schoolchildren carried out a Vedic prayer for world peace entitled ‘Shanti Path’.
During their tour with Jitu Patel, Chair of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK, the King and Queen paused to admire the 10-metre-high central dome famend for its intricate carvings.
Britain’s Queen Camilla receives a bracelet as she and King Charles III go to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir | Photo Credit: AP
In the “Haveli” lobby of the temple, the royals explored the mannequin of a brand new BAPS Mandir presently below building in Paris and set to change into the primary conventional Hindu temple in France when it opens subsequent 12 months.
Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami joined venture lead Sanjay Kara and designers to replicate upon the size and significance of the brand new temple.
Representatives of social impression initiatives supported by the temple, together with the Felix Project and Women of the World (WoW), have been among the many group members gathered for a quick interplay with the royals.
Built utilizing classical Vedic architectural rules and with none structural metal, the Neasden Temple prides itself as an emblem of devotion and Indian craftsmanship. Marble and limestone have been hand-carved in India by expert artisans earlier than being shipped to London, the place it was assembled with the help of hundreds of volunteers and donors from throughout the UK and overseas.
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla view a mannequin of a brand new temple to be inbuilt Paris, throughout a go to to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir | Photo Credit: by way of Reuters
Beyond its structure, the temple is a centre of tradition and studying, attracting college teams, dignitaries and guests from world wide to achieve insights into Hindu values, peace, and world concord. The Haveli is designed as a hub with areas for prayer, group gatherings, schooling, and celebration.
The temple’s charitable work contains the annual BAPS Charity Challenge, which raises funds for instructional and group programmes. From surplus meals redistribution to youth service initiatives, the main focus of the charitable work is round sewa, or selfless service, to create impression with dignity.
