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Background Vision
 
The Past
In 1970, devotees invited Yogiji Maharaj to visit London. Yogiji Maharaj insisted that if they acquired a place for a mandir then he would come. The number of devotees was small but their desire to call Yogiji Maharaj to London inspired their efforts. On searching they came upon an old church in Islington, East London. The proprietors asked for £12,000. A devotee had a vision in which Yogiji Maharaj told him that they would get the church for £9,500. The next day the church authorities said, "You are doing good work and so we will sell it to you for £9,500."

The first mandir was inaugurated in Islington by Yogiji Maharaj on Sunday 14 June 1970. Yogiji Maharaj enthusiastically showered his blessings saying, "This mandir will be too small to accomodate the devotees one day. Satsang will flourish throughout London. A great shikharbaddh mandir will be erected. Hundreds of thousands of people will benefit."
   
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Elmore Street, London - the first Hindu Mandir in England
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Elmore Street, London – the first Hindu Mandir in England

A wish Fulfilled
In 1972, thousands of devotees and Indians expelled from Uganda emigrated to England. The Islington mandir became too small to accommodate the increase of devotees.

In 1982, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, successor to Yogiji Maharaj as Guru in 1971, performed the opening of the new mandir in Neasden, located across the road to where the present mandir site is. Pramukh Swami Maharaj then took up Yogiji Maharaj's wish to build a traditional mandir in London.

In July 1990, 3.85 acres of land was acquired on Brentfield Road.

In June 1991, planning permission to build a traditional mandir in Neasden in Northwest London was granted.

In December 1992 the time schedule of the project was fixed. Pramukh Swami Maharaj ardently desired that all work on the mandir and cultural complex be completed by the summer of 1995 – that is in less than three years.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj performed the murti-pratishtha ceremony on 20 August 1995 at 9am in the presence of devotees and dignitaries from all corners of the globe.
   
 
 
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