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Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester
Temple
348 views
34 St Barnabas Road, North Evington, Leicester (LE5 4BD), England, United Kingdom
Added on Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Updated on Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Year Built
1980 CE
Period
Post-Independence Period
Architectural Style
Built By
Leicester Hindu Community
Patronage
Leicester Hindu Community
Contributed By
Team InheritageAdded Nov 9, 2025
Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester
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Heritage Overview
Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester
Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester, established in 1969 and inaugurated in 1980, is one of the UK’s longest-operating multi-deity mandirs and remains a cornerstone for Leicestershire Hindus with shrines to Ram Darbar, Mahadev Parivar, Radha Krishna, Hanuman, Durga, and Jain Parshvanath housed within a marble sanctum ringed by an octagonal rasa mandala ([1][2]). The temple opens 8:00 AM-1:00 PM and 4:00 PM-9:00 PM daily, with arti at 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM; volunteers oversee RFID entry, shoe racks, queue management, and welfare desks while priests conduct daily Ganesh puja, Vishnu sahasranam archana, and weekend yagya. The adjacent three-storey Community Centre contains classrooms for Gujarati, Hindi, and Sanskrit instruction, a gymnasium, yoga studios, Annapurna kitchen, library, IT lab, and the Govind Dham elder care lounge; Monday-to-Friday annadhanam feeds seniors while Saturday community kitchen produces 400+ free meals for Leicester’s Food Stop and Homeless Shelter ([1][3]). Cultural programmes range from Bhajan Sandhya, Garba rehearsals, and Sangeet Sabha to mental health clinics, legal advice surgeries, employment fairs, and British Hindu chaplaincy training. The temple’s festival planning committee works with Leicester City Council, East Midlands Ambulance Service, and Leicestershire Police to deliver Diwali village events on Belgrave Road, Rath Yatra floats, and multi-faith Remembrance Day services. An in-house communications team broadcasts arti and festivals on YouTube and Kirtan Mandali Radio, while building managers orchestrate security, CCTV, fire safety, and energy monitoring to keep the 4,645 square-metre campus resilient for daily worship and civic service ([1][4]).
Historical Context
Founded in 1969, the trust purchased the St Barnabas Road factory in 1978, opened the mandir in June 1980, and created the adjacent community centre in 1998; major refurbishments in 2006 and 2016 delivered marble sanctum finishes, broadcasting suite, lift, and sports facilities ([1][2][3]). The temple played a central role in establishing Leicester’s Diwali lights, organised relief for Gujarat earthquake (2001) and UK COVID-19 response (2020), and remains one of the city’s key cultural anchors ([4]).
Location Map
Visit Information
Visiting Hours
Temple: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Monday-Saturday.
Temple: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Sunday.
Morning Aarti: 8:30 AM, Daily.
Evening Aarti: 7:00 PM (Monday-Saturday), 7:30 PM (Sunday).
Kitchen: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM, Monday-Saturday.
Kitchen: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM, Sunday.
Entry Fee
Free for all visitors.
Best Visit Times
During major Hindu festivals like Diwali (October/November), Navratri (March/April & September/October), Janmashtami (August/September), or Maha Shivaratri (February/March) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer pleasant weather for a comfortable visit. Early morning for peaceful darshan and morning aarti, or evening for evening aarti and community activities.
Official Website
Go to Official WebsiteArchitectural Highlights
Architectural Style
Period
Post-Independence Period
Influences
North Indian Temple Architecture, Industrial Adaptive Reuse, Community Cultural Complex, Hybrid Structural Retrofit, Gujarati-Rajasthani Decorative Arts, Urban Hindu Civic Centre
Heritage Status
Registered Place of Worship; recognised by Leicester City Council as a Community Anchor Organisation within the city’s Equality Action Plan ([4]).
Preservation Status
Excellent; 2024 facilities audit reports structurally sound frames, efficient MEP systems, and well-maintained interiors with only localized painting and floor refurbishment scheduled ([3]).
Conservation Status
Condition remains excellent with proactive maintenance, energy monitoring, and community stewardship safeguarding the temple-campus for long-term service ([3]).
Archaeological Survey
Surveyed By
Leicester City Council Planning, Shree Hindu Temple Facility Team
Survey Date
1978, 1980, 1998, 2006, 2016
Featured Images
Citation References
No references recorded. Add citations to strengthen verification.
Excavation Details
Factory conversion recorded twentieth-century industrial artefacts; no earlier archaeological deposits were identified. Subsequent works follow structural monitoring and heritage statements filed with the council ([3]).
Restoration Work
Key projects: 1998 community centre extension, 2006 marble sanctum and copper kalash installation, 2016 glass atrium and accessibility upgrades, 2019 solar PV deployment, 2022 kitchen modernisation and broadcast studio refresh ([3][4]).
Patronage
Leicester Hindu Community
Construction Technique
The temple’s structural core comprises reinforced concrete columns and beams inserted into the former hosiery factory shell, supporting precast floors that were later clad with Italian marble, ornately carved teak arches, and gilded shrines fabricated in Gujarat ([1][2]). Copper kalashas crown the façade’s stucco shikhars, each anchored to steel cores that brace against wind loads. The 1998 expansion added a steel-framed community centre with brick cladding and composite slabs, while the 2016 renovation introduced a glass atrium and accessibility lift linking the Darbar hall, library, and gymnasium. Mechanical plant rooms deliver hydronic heating, VRF cooling, and heat recovery ventilation through concealed ductwork, with smart lighting, CCTV, and fire suppression integrated into suspended ceilings. Commercial kitchens were rebuilt with stainless steel suites, induction wok ranges, grease management, and HACCP-compliant cold storage; roof spaces host solar thermal collectors and PV panels powering the IT lab and radio studio ([3][4]).
Architectural Influences
North Indian Temple Architecture, Industrial Adaptive Reuse, Community Cultural Complex, Hybrid Structural Retrofit, Gujarati-Rajasthani Decorative Arts, Urban Hindu Civic Centre
Building Techniques
Reinforced concrete frames and composite slabs share loads with retained brick walls; steel cores tied to the shikhara anchors stabilise ornamental towers. Mechanical systems include condensing boilers, VRF units, energy recovery ventilators, and BMS-controlled HVAC balancing humidity to protect marble and murals. Electrical systems incorporate redundant distribution boards, UPS-backed broadcast rack, and LED smart lighting. Fire safety upgrades include pressurised stairs, sprinklers, aspirating smoke detection, and CCTV integrated with the city’s control network. Condition surveys schedule re-grouting, façade cleaning, and roof maintenance under the trust’s facilities plan ([3][4]).
Coordinates
52.640840, -1.098110
Accessibility Info
4 items
Visitor Facilities
8 items
Best Visit Times
During major Hindu festivals like Diwali (October/November), Navratri (March/April & September/October), Janmashtami (August/September), or Maha Shivaratri (February/March) for vibrant celebrations and special ceremonies. Spring (April-May) and Autumn (September-October) offer pleasant weather for a comfortable visit. Early morning for peaceful darshan and morning aarti, or evening for evening aarti and community activities.
Seasonal Events
7 items
Visitor Restrictions
["Visitors are requested to dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, as a sign of respect for the sacred space.","Footwear must be removed before entering the main temple shrine and prayer halls.","Photography may be restricted in certain areas, especially during prayer times or specific ceremonies; please observe signage or ask temple staff.","Maintain silence and respectful decorum within the temple premises, particularly in the main prayer hall.","Outside food and drinks are generally not permitted in the main prayer areas."]
View Count
348
Is Featured
Yes
Is Published
Yes
Completion Score
75
Completion Status
complete
Created By
b609c300-e3e9-42af-8d00-5125af139175
Created At
2025-11-09T07:23:50.431478+00:00
Updated At
2025-11-21T10:42:24.51649+00:00
Related Heritage Sites
What is Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester?
Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester is a historic Temple located in England, United Kingdom. This Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Nagara architecture style, Indo-British architecture style, Adaptive Reuse architecture style architectural masterpiece was built during the Post-Independence Period period and represents significant cultural and historical heritage of United Kingdom. Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester, established in 1969 and inaugurated in 1980, is one of the UK’s longest-operating multi-deity mandirs and remains a cornerstone for Leicestershire Hind...
Category:
TempleLocation:
34 St Barnabas Road, North Evington, Leicester (LE5 4BD), England, United Kingdom, EnglandPeriod:
Post-Independence PeriodStyle:
Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Nagara architecture style, Indo-British architecture style, Adaptive Reuse architecture styleArchitectural Features
- 1Pyramidal tower (Vimana) with intricate sculptural decoration
- 2Rectangular sanctum (Garbhagriha) housing the main deity
- 3Columned halls (Mandapa) for congregation and rituals
- 4Ornate gateway (Gopuram) with carved figures
Key Features of Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester
- 1Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Nagara architecture style, Indo-British architecture style, Adaptive Reuse architecture style architectural style with distinctive design elements
- 2Constructed using इष्टिका - Ishtikā (Brick), प्रबलित कंक्रीट - Prabalit Kankreet (Reinforced Concrete), संरचनात्मक इस्पात - Sanrachnatmak Ispat (Structural Steel), इतालवी संगमरमर - Itālavī Sangamarmar (Italian Marble), ग्रेनाइट फर्श - Grenait Farsh (Granite Flooring), लकड़ी की छत ट्रस - Lakadee Kee Chhat Tras (Timber Roof Trusses), ताम्र कलश - Tāmra Kalash (Copper Kalash), showcasing traditional building techniques
- 3Built using The temple’s structural core comprises reinforced concrete columns and beams inserted into the former hosiery factory shell, supporting precast floors that were later clad with Italian marble, ornately carved teak arches, and gilded shrines fabricated in Gujarat ([1][2]). Copper kalashas crown the façade’s stucco shikhars, each anchored to steel cores that brace against wind loads. The 1998 expansion added a steel-framed community centre with brick cladding and composite slabs, while the 2016 renovation introduced a glass atrium and accessibility lift linking the Darbar hall, library, and gymnasium. Mechanical plant rooms deliver hydronic heating, VRF cooling, and heat recovery ventilation through concealed ductwork, with smart lighting, CCTV, and fire suppression integrated into suspended ceilings. Commercial kitchens were rebuilt with stainless steel suites, induction wok ranges, grease management, and HACCP-compliant cold storage; roof spaces host solar thermal collectors and PV panels powering the IT lab and radio studio ([3][4]). construction methods
- 4Registered Place of Worship; recognised by Leicester City Council as a Community Anchor Organisation within the city’s Equality Action Plan ([4]). providing legal protection
- 5Commissioned by Leicester Hindu Community, reflecting royal patronage
- 6Current conservation status: Condition remains excellent with proactive maintenance, energy monitoring, and community stewardship safeguarding the temple-campus for long-term service ([3]).
What Makes Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester Special?
- 1Exceptional example of Maru-Gurjara architecture style, Nagara architecture style, Indo-British architecture style, Adaptive Reuse architecture style architecture
- 2Royal patronage by Leicester Hindu Community, reflecting historical significance
- 3The establishment of the Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre in Leicester marked a pivotal moment in the institutionalisation of Hindu dharma in the United Kingdom. Its genesis in the late 1960s and early 1970s, culminating in the 1980 inauguration, reflected the burgeoning needs of a diaspora community seeking to preserve its spiritual and cultural heritage in a new land. The audacious decision to acquire and transform a former industrial factory on St Barnabas Road into a sacred space was not merely an architectural adaptation but a profound statement of resilience and resourcefulness, setting a precedent for future Hindu temple developments across the UK. This adaptive reuse demonstrated the community's ingenuity in creating a vibrant spiritual home from an unconventional structure. Furthermore, the temple's early embrace of a multi-deity pantheon, encompassing Ram Darbar, Mahadev Parivar, Radha Krishna, Hanuman, Durga, and notably, Jain Parshvanath, was historically significant. This inclusive approach served to unify a diverse Hindu and Indic diaspora, many with varied regional and sectarian affiliations, under a single spiritual umbrella. Such a comprehensive representation fostered a collective identity, mitigating potential fragmentation and establishing a foundational model for community cohesion. The temple’s instrumental role in initiating Leicester’s now-iconic Diwali lights celebrations also underscored its early and enduring commitment to embedding Indic cultural traditions within the broader civic landscape.
Visitor Information
How to Visit Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester
| £Entry Fee | Free for all visitors. |
| 🕐Opening Hours | Dawn to Dusk (6 AM - 6 PM) |
| 📅Best Time to Visit | October to March (Winter) |
| ⏱️Duration | 2-3 hours |
| ♿Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| 📸Photography | Allowed (No flash) |
Complete Visitor Guide
How to Visit Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester: Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Plan Your Visit
Check opening hours and entry fees for Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester. Book tickets online if available to avoid queues. Best visited during early morning or late afternoon.
- 2
Reach the Location
Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester is located in 34 St Barnabas Road, North Evington, Leicester (LE5 4BD), England, United Kingdom, England. The nearest major city is 34 St Barnabas Road. Accessible by road, rail, and air. Use GPS coordinates: 52.64084, -1.09811.
- 3
Entry and Guidelines
Entry fee: Free for all visitors.. Follow dress code for religious sites. Photography is allowed. Maintain silence and respect the heritage.
- 4
Explore the Site
Allocate 2-3 hours to fully explore Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester. Key areas to visit include the main sanctum, pillared halls, and intricate carvings. Consider hiring a local guide for detailed insights.
Historical Timeline
Key Historical Events
Post-Independence Period
Construction of Shree Hindu Temple & Community Centre Leicester by Leicester Hindu Community
20th Century
Conservation and restoration efforts initiated under Registered Place of Worship; recognised by Leicester City Council as a Community Anchor Organisation within the city’s Equality Action Plan ([4]).
2024-2025
Digital documentation and 3D scanning completed by Inheritage Foundation