BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London – popularly known as Neasden Temple – once again participated in the Open House Festival, marking its 30th consecutive annual involvement, over the weekend of 20-21 September 2025.
The annual festival, organised by Open City, celebrates London’s rich architectural heritage by offering free access to hundreds of landmark buildings across the capital. This year, the Open House Festival ran from 13 to 21 September across all 33 London boroughs, reaffirming the unique role that architecture and community spaces play in shaping the cultural and social life of the capital.
Open City is London’s leading architecture education organisation and the founder of the global Open House Worldwide network, which now spans over 50 cities around the world, from New York to Lagos and Buenos Aires to Taipei. Its mission is to make architecture and urban design accessible to all, fostering greater understanding of the built environment and the communities it serves.
Visitors to the Mandir were able to experience its intricate architecture and spiritual ambience through guided tours, exhibitions, and moments of quiet reflection. This year, young children of the congregation also participated by sharing simple explanations of the Mandir’s traditions and practices. Their enthusiasm and sincerity made a lasting impression on many guests, who remarked how much they valued hearing directly from the younger generation and how it brought their visit to life.
Guests appreciated not only the craftsmanship and artistry of the Mandir, but also the opportunity to learn more about Hindu beliefs and values in an open and welcoming environment, including a tour of the ‘Understanding Hinduism’ exhibition. There were also plenty of opportunities for visitors to witness one of the arti ceremonies during the day.
Many spoke warmly of the peace and serenity they experienced inside the sanctum as well as the personal warmth of the volunteer guides who accompanied them.
Amish Raghwani, a volunteer at the Mandir, shared, “The Open House weekend is always special because it allows us to share the Mandir’s beauty and meaning with so many people. It was wonderful to see families, neighbours and people from all walks of life come together here. That sense of openness and harmony is exactly what Mahant Swami Maharaj inspires us to cultivate.”
Raksha Jethwa, a young guide, added, “I really enjoyed explaining what the Mandir means to us and answering people’s questions about Hinduism. It felt nice to see how interested they were and how much they appreciated hearing from us directly. I learned a lot, too. It made me feel proud to be part of the Mandir and a British Hindu.”
A selection of visitor experiences is provided below:
“Incredibly beautiful building and wonderfully helpful guides – one of the best Open House destinations of all! Simply amazing!” – BR, Software Engineer
“Such an amazing spiritual experience. I loved finding out more about the Hindu faith. I was also so impressed with the knowledge and presentation of the young volunteers. Thank you.” – CB, Communications Executive
“Very beautiful architecture and craftmanship. Very kind guides. Guides very knowledgeable including young children.” – FS, Doctor
“Fantastic talking to so many young people – it felt very welcoming, and the temple is inspiring. Thank you.” – SE, Consultant
“Really enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend.” – MM, IT Engineer
The Open House weekend was a great success, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the Mandir’s architecture, spiritual traditions, and community life. Many guests left with a deeper appreciation of its role as a centre of faith, learning, and service.
The Mandir remains open to visitors free of charge throughout the year, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to experience its peace, beauty, and spiritual atmosphere.