Hinduism has such a long history in India that it is inevitable that a great diversity within the traditions has emerged. In the UK, Hinduism has had a much shorter time within which to become established, but where the Indian community has settled since the 1950s, the development of various homes and community buildings into places of worship has occurred. However, in recent years, one or two traditional Hindu Mandirs, including the one illustrated here at Neasden in London, have been built in the UK based on traditional Hindu plans and reflecting the need to serve a much larger faith community.
Even before the construction of a Mandir, the earth on which the building is constructed is blessed and permission sought from the land to disturb its natural state for construction of a Mandir. A small pot is ritually placed in the foundations to symbolize the harmonious relationship between humans and the earth. The design of the Mandir is mathematically formulated so as to reflect the ordered nature of the universe and is intended to symbolically represent the microcosm of the perfect proportions of creation. No metals are used in the construction as it is believed that metal interferes with the mental efforts needed for meditation and devotion.
Traditionally, a mandir will have been built with the front facing the rays from the rising sun. Central to the Mandir however, is the practice of devotions or puja to images or Murtis including Ganesh, Vishnu and Krishna. Thus to be able to walk around these deity images, to be able to sit on the floor for meditation and communal prayers, to be able to offer incense or share prashad is important, and the architecture of the Mandir reflects this practice.
A further good description of a mandir can be found on London Grid for Learning site which was written by the RE adviser for Hackney Borough, Mr Karl D’Cruz.
