UNITED KINGDOM, July 28, 2020 (The Business Desk): Work has begun on the construction of a US$6.461 million Hindu temple in Oldham, whose design is a blend of modern and traditional features. The project is due for completion in 2022. Around 100 people, including members of the community, senior temple leaders, design team personnel and contractors attended a ground-breaking ceremony to bless the start of the scheme on Copsterhill Road. Site clearance has begun and will be followed by ground works, structural steel works, glass-reinforced concrete works and then the internal finishes.
Once completed, the Shree Swaminarayan Temple will feature a spacious and naturally-lit modern prayer hall, space for sports, events and teaching, a courtyard with landscaped gardens, parking and accommodation. The new temple is being funded through donations from the local community as well as supporters nationwide and internationally. An ornate solid marble feature gate and traditional Hindu temple domes will be hand-crafted in India, imported and installed at the new facility. The Shree Swaminarayan Temple, currently based on Lee Street, opened in 1977. The community has been seeking a new, modern facility for a number of years. Planning permission for the new development was granted in June 2019.