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<\/p>\nINDIA is something of a bucket list destination for lots of people in the UK – but they might not have to travel to Asia to get a taste of the country.<\/p>\n
A building, described online as "unforgettable" can be found in Greater London that looks as though it would be more at home in Agra than in the capital of England.<\/p>\n
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That's according to London blogger Scarlett, writing for Diary of a Londoness, after she paid a visit to Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, or the Neasden Hindu Temple.<\/p>\n
Some people believe it's the largest Hindu temple outside of India, while others have said it's one of London's seven man-made wonders.<\/p>\n
Scarlett compared it to the Taj Mahal, saying: "This divine temple, which you would expect to see in Agra, actually resides in north west London. <\/p>\n
"It\u2019s a masterpiece in Indian craftsmanship and it shimmers in that Taj-Mahalesque way."<\/p>\n
It's no surprise that it looks like it's from India, seeing as that's where it was built originally. <\/p>\n Around 1500 sculptors spent three years carving more than 26,000 individual pieces, which were then shipped to London for its construction.<\/p>\n The temple is Europe\u2019s first and was funded entirely by the Hindu community. It's constructed using traditional Hindu architectural methods, so has no steel in it at all.<\/p>\n Secret London described it as "incredibly ornate" and it's no surprise with intricate carvings adorning the building outside and in.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n They wrote: "As impressive as it might be from afar, head closer (and then inside!) to check out the mandir in more detail. <\/p>\n "The\u00a0incredible carvings\u00a0that make up the building itself are truly marvellous."<\/p>\n Although it is a Hindu place of worship, people of all faiths and backgrounds are allowed to visit, and can do for free, with both guided tours and audio tours available.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the lower floor of the Mandir is dedicated to a\u00a0permanent exhibition titled \u2018Understanding Hinduism\u2019. <\/p>\n It teaches visitors about the values and wisdom of the faith through 3D models, paintings and traditional artworks.<\/p>\n Anyone who does visit has to abide by the dress code within the temple, which includes removing shoes at the entrance, where there are storage lockers available.<\/p>\n Tops must cover shoulders, chests, navels and upper arms, while leg-wear must be at least below knee-length. No photography or filming is allowed inside, but is fine outside the building.<\/p>\n There's also an Indian vegetarian restaurant as part of the temple that serves traditional food to visitors, providing them with an even more authentic experience.<\/p>\n Visit London showed the temple off to their social media followers in a video on their Tiktok (@visitlondon).<\/p>\n They wrote: "The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, commonly known as the Neasden Temple, is a beautiful, traditional Hindu temple in Neasden, north-west London. <\/p>\n "Standing 70 feet high, the Temple embodies traditional Hindu design and was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London. <\/p>\n "While it is a place of worship, the Temple is open to everyone, all year round."<\/p>\n One person who visited described is as an "Unforgettable place to visit" on Google Reviews, adding: "It\u2019s a very different kind of experience, I can\u2019t write in words. I must recommend you visit at least once."<\/p>\n Another added: "What a stunning place, absolutely beautiful!<\/p>\n "The architecture, beautifully styled and sculptured. The garden, so looked after, gardeners consistently working. <\/p>\n "This place is just out of this world, feels like you're in a different location entirely."<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/nhs-england-pa-wire-note-663606913.jpg\")
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Most read in News Travel<\/h2>\n
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