FFB team visits Neasden Temple
FFB managers were invited to visit the famous Neasden Temple in Wembley, north west London. Popularly known as the 'Neasden Temple’, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a centre of Hindu worship in Wembley.
FFB team took part in the Abhishek ceremony.
The Foodbank team was honoured with a private guided tour by BAPS volunteers Chhaya Tailor, Amish Depala and Praful Depala, and enjoyed the opportunity to hear about its history, admire the traditional Hindu design and take part in the important Abhishek and Arti ceremonies.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, which opened in 1995, is the first traditional stone mandir built in Europe, comprising 5,000 tonnes of Italian Carrara and Indian Ambaji marble and Bulgarian limestone, which were hand-carved in India before being assembled in London. On completion, the mandir was the largest Hindu mandir built outside of India. It hosts half a million visitors annually.
On the temple site there is also a large community centre where the BAPS charitable outreach team runs a regular community food drive. In the run up to Christmas it invited devotees and neighbours to collect for local community groups and food banks including Finchley Foodbank.
FFB volunteer James Johnson with Naynita Depala and Nisha Besherdas from Neasden Temple BAPS charity who supported the food drive for FFB in December.
Our manager Rachel Nelson said “These donations help FFB to provide emergency food to people in crisis, supporting families in north London. We are grateful to Neasden Temple and very glad to benefit from its food drive. And we are delighted to see this beautiful site close up, and hear about its work in the community.”
Naynita Depala, who has been instrumental in the food drive collection, said, “Our devotees have always been forthcoming with their generosity during such times of need. We are glad to be able to support Finchley Foodbank and look forward to doing more in partnership with the team there to support people struggling.”
Volunteers at FFB with donations from Neasden Temple food drive. Louis Victor (left) and Rachel Nelson (second from right) from FFB with Nalin Depala, Praful Alaiya, Naynita Depala and Nisha Besherdas from Neasden Temple.