New Hindu temple will be 'open to everyone'

A religious ceremony has been held to bless the building of a new Hindu temple.

Members of the Shirdi Sai group gathered for the celebration on Friday in Tattenhoe, Milton Keynes, along with local dignitaries.

Planning permission was originally refused over concerns about visitor numbers, but committee member Unni Pillai said: "It's more of a temple for the local community, not for people coming from different parts of the country.

"We believe once the temple is built we'll have opportunity to engage with local residents and we hope they will connect with it."

Mr Pillai, 64, is one of 12,400 Hindus living in Milton Keynes, which is 4.5% of the city's population.

His religious community has been meeting since 2011 at a community hall, but is now building the temple, known as a mandir, to provide a permanent home.

"For any practising Hindu, their temple is an integral part of their life journey. We badly need one here.

"The main aim is self-realisation, seeking the truth, but there are many activities that go on, including charity work and food donations," he said.

Although the primary beneficiaries would be followers of Hinduism, Mr Pillai said: "We would welcome everyone and want people to experience it."

The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Association was refused an application in 2020, but it was accepted in 2023 following changes to planning conditions.

These included a limit of 120 people who could attend weddings.

The impact of visitors who would attend the site for festival celebrations would also be reviewed after 12 months.

During a consultation, 147 people contacted Milton Keynes Council to support the plans, while 158 objected.

Work is due to begin over summer on the building, which will include two halls, a dining space and accommodation for priests.

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