Edinburgh temple welcomes all

It was a labour of love to realise a common dream to construct a mandir to provide a place of solace for members of the community seeking to offer their devotion to God. Also to unburden their sorrows and despair and to join in fellowship with their brothers and sisters in offering praise and thanks to that divine force, the ultimate provider. According to pundit Ramesh Tiwari, the dream of the yesteryear is Edinburgh Hindu Temple today.

Over the years, this fledgling institution, fuelled by the dynamism, the energy and hard work of the successive executive committees has blossomed into a beautiful and modern temple, with a vibrant executive, visionary leadership and a congregation that fills the bosom of this shrine all contributing to the positioning of the Edinburgh Hindu Temple, as one of the leading organisations.

It is an organisation which brings together people from every walk of life, regardless of race, creed, colour, class or religious upbringing, in the fellowship of love and unity. All seeking to perform devotion to God, and in turn attaining spiritual knowledge through the philosophy of Hinduism.

At the Edinburgh Hindu Temple one can attend weekly Sunday morning service as it is a journey you must experience. Beginning with the devotional invocation of the various deities, prayers and offerings are made creating an atmosphere of peace, spiritual harmony and ecstasy in preparation for the powerful and inspirational messages researched and delivered by spiritual leader, Pun Tiwari.

Throughout his discourses Pun Tiwari continually uses techniques of comparative religion to reinforce his main theme that “there is only one God - that there are many roads leading to that one destination, salvation, and that we are all engaged in the same spiritual mission. His interpretation of the philosophical text embraces every facet of society thereby providing a universal message to all God’s children.”

The programme of activities of the temple includes the celebration and observance of major Hindu religious festivals, as well as other non-religious significant occasions. In addition, projects seek to address the current issues affecting communities, such as alcoholism, drug addiction, incest, suicide, and domestic violence.

As a socio-religious organisation it is committed to the spiritual upliftment of its congregation members and to set high standards.

At the Edinburgh temple the focus is on the youth. Week after week Pundit Tiwari reinforces the importance of education as the key to unlocking the doors to life, but more critical, is the attainment of knowledge, that knowledge which is the key to a balanced mind and sound intellect. Constant emphasis is placed on the importance of developing the character, and conducting of daily activities with dignity and integrity.