Four Hindu temples in Switzerland, Norway, Scotland and Germany solemnized their formal opening in the recent months, reports suggest. A warehouse in an industrial area was converted after renovation to Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar Hindu Temple in eastern Switzerland’s Zizers, which is known for Upper Castle and Lower Castle heritage sites. Kagendrasharma Nageswarakurukkal is the priest at the temple.

Vinayagar Ganesha Hindu Temple was consecrated with ancient Hindu rituals in Norway’s Alesund, a sea port known for its unique concentration of Art Nouveau architecture. This Temple, besides Hindus, also welcomes people of other religions. Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre, whose tagline is “Promoting Unity Through Diversity”, was formally launched in Scotland’s capital recently, which was formerly a church. It opens everyday and can facilitate “16 samskaras”. Besides regular worship services, it also organizes festivals, cultural and art activities, children’s activities and heritage camps. The temple is also setting-up a library of Hinduism. Mr Malhar Patel is the President while Vrajvihari Sharan is the priest at the temple.

After detailed renovation, Sri Naagapoosani Ambaal Hindu Temple in Germany’s Krefeld reopened with a four-day festival, which included loud drums announcing the entrance of a cow who was lead to the hall. Krefeld in North Rhine-Westphalia, also called “Velvet and Silk City”, is known for Castle of Linn.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) applauded efforts of temple leaders and area communities for realizing these Hindu temple complexes in Europe. Mr Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that these temples would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of self and work towards achieving moksha (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.