On Tuesday 4 December 2007, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London was awarded the ‘UK Pride of Place’ award by Government authorities after a month-long national online poll.

The ‘Pride of Place’ poll was a part of the Government’s ‘Connect to Your Council’ initiative, which aims to encourage citizens to access their local authority services online. After weeks of voting, the Mandir registered the largest number of votes across the country as well as in London, with an overwhelming 81% of votes from the London Borough of Brent. This means the Mandir was voted as the place that generates the greatest pride amongst residents.

This has come as a humbling honour for the Mandir, to add to its catalogue of other awards and accolades.

Upon receiving the award, a spokesperson for the Mandir shared: “When His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader who inspired the Mandir, consecrated it in August 1995, he envisaged it as not only a place of worship for Hindus, but as a place of learning, spirituality and peace for all people. This award is a tribute to all the residents of this wonderful borough.”

Communities Minister Parmjit Dhanda said that he was “delighted” that the Mandir had won the nationwide poll. “It is an inspiring building of which the whole country can be proud,” he commented.

Councillor Paul Lorber, Leader of Brent Council, expressed his delight by adding: “The Swaminarayan Temple is an amazing Brent landmark that fully deserves the recognition of topping the Pride of Place poll. It has been described as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ and attracts visitors from all over the world. It is a building that the whole borough can rightly be proud of. In addition to the magnificent building, visitors to the Temple will also receive a warm welcome from the hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to make the Temple a success.”

Click here to read the official Government announcement of the award. Other details of the poll can be found here.

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