Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Willesden, London, holds the distinction of being the first Swaminarayan temple established in the city.
Situated in the suburb of Willesden, it serves as a significant spiritual and cultural hub for the Swaminarayan Hindu community. The temple's origins trace back to 1975 when a disused church on Willesden Lane was acquired and renovated. On the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima, 11 October 1975, Acharya Maharajshree Tejendraprasad Pande installed the murtis (sacred images) of Swaminarayan, NarNarayan Dev, Radha Krishna Dev, Hanuman, and Ganesh, marking the temple's official inauguration.
As the congregation grew, the existing facilities became inadequate. In response, a proposal was made in 1986 to demolish the original structures and construct a new three-storey complex that would blend traditional Hindu temple architecture with British design elements. The ceremonial stone for the new building was laid on 12 October 1986, and the new temple was officially opened on 29 July 1988 by Acharya Maharajshree Tejendraprasad Pande.
Beyond its role as a place of worship, the temple is deeply involved in community activities. It hosts a Gujarati language school with approximately 500 students and 60 volunteer teachers. The SSTW Academy, established in 1997, offers various programs including sports, religious discussions, yoga, tabla, and Hinduism classes. The temple also conducts Bal Kendra classes for young children and Vachanamrut classes focusing on important Swaminarayan scriptures.
In times of crisis, the temple has demonstrated a strong commitment to humanitarian efforts. Notably, it organized a charity walk to aid victims of the 2004 South Asian tsunami and coordinated relief work for the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, sending 60 tons of clothing and blankets to affected areas.
Today, Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Willesden continues to be a beacon of spiritual guidance and community service, reflecting the enduring values and traditions of the Swaminarayan faith.
Address: 220-222, 220 Willesden Ln, London, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 8459 4506
Hours: Saturday 9–11 am, 5–7 pm
Sunday 9–11 am, 4–6 pm
Monday - Friday 9–11 am, 6–8 pm
