Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Oldham has secured planning permission from Oldham Council on 5 June for a state of the art purpose built community and religious facilities in Oldham.
The new Mandir will be constructed on the site of the former Copster Hill Road Depot, on Copster Hill Road near the current Temple on Lee Street, which has been open since 1977, but is now too small for its growing Hindu congregation and activities offered. Alongside the Temple prayer hall, there will be a multi-function hall, teaching and community spaces as well as a landscaped garden and up to 60 parking spaces.
Suresh Gorasia, a spokesman of the Temple, told the newsweekly that they had been looking for the right new site for 20 years.
“We are investing up to £5m in this investment through pure community funds,” he said. We have a desire to create a modern facility that will be a landmark facility for Oldham and the North of England. We’re a proud community of Oldham and really want to contribute to its fabric, we want the new Temple to provide services for the people of Oldham especially the youth and the elderly”.
Mr Gorasia added that the Temple and community facilities will greatly benefit the whole community. He told Asian Voice, “We are grateful for the support of Mahant Swami of Bhuj Swaminarayan Mandir and other swamis who are involved in the project. We have been receiving congratulatory messages and goodwill from the local Hindu community as well as our sister Swaminarayan Mandirs around the world.
The local Hindu community especially the youth have been involved in the design and have given their input throughout the design stage. This is going to be a unique landmark Hindu Temple not seen outside London. We are going to create a unique garden facility for the community to enjoy just to support their mental wellbeing, because it’s a densely populated area and a lot of people don’t have access to the desired green space.”
Councillor Ateeque Ur-Rehman, who spoke in support of the application, said all three councillors in Medlock Vale ward support the proposal. “It was very much needed that the community had a bigger facility,” he said. I’m confident that a large number of people will be walking to this Temple. I think it will be a great addition to the ward.”
Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Oldham is under the spiritual guidance of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Bhuj. Mahant Sadguru Purani Swami Dharmanandandasji, the Mahant Swami for Bhuj Swaminarayan Mandir said, “I convey my heartiest congratulations to the Oldham devotees. I would like to request that both men and women, young and old come together and serve in anyway that they can in building this temple. There is no doubt in my mind, with the grace of Lord Swaminarayan, the new temple will be beautiful and will continue to provide spiritual enlightenment and many exciting opportunities for everyone.”
