King Charles and Queen Camilla Celebrate 30th Anniversary of London's Historic Neasden Temple with Traditional Hindu Ceremonies

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla participated in traditional prayers at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London on Wednesday, commemorating the temple's 30th anniversary celebrations.

The 76-year-old monarch was welcomed with the nadachadi ceremony, a sacred thread-tying ritual symbolizing peace and friendship bonds, performed by Head Priest Sadhu Yogvivekdas Swami.

Following royal protocol, the King and Queen removed their footwear at the entrance before being adorned with pearl-adorned flower garlands. They then toured the ornate complex, which holds distinction as Europe's first traditional Hindu stone temple, inaugurated in August 1995.

During the ceremony, 11-year-old Dev Patel performed a petals tribute ritual to Bhagwan Swaminarayan, the temple's principal deity, as King Charles respectfully joined his hands in namaskar. The King expressed gratitude and extended "belated Happy Diwali" wishes after witnessing the abhishek ceremony of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj performed by a south-east London family.

"This Mandir is the home of God. Over these last 30 years, it has become an integral part of the religious, cultural landscape of our great nation; admired not only for its partnership, but for what it embodies – a living centre of devotion, learning and service," Sadhu Yogvivekdas stated in his welcome address.

"This is all inspired and guided by our spiritual leader, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, and the values that he upholds – values such as compassion, respect, harmony, values such as humility, sincerity and integrity. All values that Their Majesties have also espoused throughout a lifetime of public service," he continued.

The priest acknowledged the King's longstanding connection with the temple, including previous visits as Prince of Wales in 1996 and 2007, and in 2009 when accompanied by Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall.

Mahant Swami Maharaj delivered a video message from India, offering prayers for the royal couple's health and wellbeing. In the main assembly hall, schoolchildren performed "Shanti Path," a Vedic prayer for world peace.

During their tour guided by Jitu Patel, Chair of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK, the royal couple paused to admire the temple's impressive 10-metre-high central dome renowned for its intricate carvings.

In the "Haveli" foyer, Their Majesties examined a model of the new BAPS Mandir currently under construction in Paris, set to become France's first traditional Hindu temple when completed next year. Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami joined project leaders and architects to discuss the significance of this new temple.

The royals also interacted with representatives from social impact initiatives supported by the temple, including the Felix Project and Women of the World (WoW).

The Neasden Temple stands as a remarkable architectural achievement, constructed using classical Vedic principles without structural steel. Its marble and limestone components were meticulously hand-carved in India by skilled artisans before being transported to London, where thousands of volunteers and donors from across the UK and beyond participated in its assembly.

Beyond its architectural significance, the temple serves as a vibrant cultural and educational center, welcoming school groups, dignitaries, and international visitors seeking insights into Hindu values, peace, and global harmony. The Haveli functions as a community hub with dedicated spaces for prayer, gatherings, education, and celebrations.

The temple's extensive charitable initiatives include the annual BAPS Charity Challenge, which raises funds for educational and community programs. From food redistribution to youth service initiatives, these activities embody the principle of sewa (selfless service) to create meaningful impact with dignity.