London's Hindu community celebrates temple expansion

Hundreds of people gathered at London's Hindu temple in the city's east end to celebrate the facility's expansion.

Since the temple opened in 1990, the Hindu community in London has grown and overcrowding during prayer service had become a concern.

"We were at a point where the mandir(temple) would be full to capacity and devotees were forced to stand in the hallway, which would also overflow," said Mohan Merchea, president of the Hindu Cultural Centre.

In the span of almost two years, the community donated more than $1.3 million dollars to cover the cost of the expansion.

"It's such a wonderful feeling to have this space," said Neelam Maden, who along with her husbandAshokhave been attending service at the temple for more than two decades. "This is our place of worship, so this is a very important space to us."

"We appreciate all the work the community hasbeen doing," she added.

For Garima Khare and Shikha Singh, the expansion of the temple means they will always have a place to teach their children their beliefs.

"This was the first place we visited when we landed here in London to get morale and be able to bring our roots to a new place," said Singh, who arrived toLondon two years ago.

"A temple is a place which brings a community together and gives us a roof to practice our beliefs," she added."This space is really important to all of us to allow usto pass it on to another generation."

The expansion project included doubling the prayer hall and dining room space as well asadding accessible features, such as ramps and an elevator.

"We are now in a better situation to provide services for over 1,000 Hindu families and in addition, approximately 5,000 international students at Western University and Fanshawe College,"Mercheasaid.