BERLIN, GERMANY, November 2, 2007: Among the many diverse religious groups in the German capital Berlin are around 6,000 HIndus. However, unlike the city’s many Christians Muslims and Buddhists, Berlin’s Hindus have had no central place of worship–until now. Construction works starts Sunday on Berlin’s first Hindu temple with a religious ritual and ceremonial ground-breaking. The temple is being built in a park in Berlin’s Neukollin district. Local authorities are allowing the Hindu community to use a corner of the park rent-free until 2080.
The temple is being built by the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple Committee and will be dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha. The construction, which will cost US$1,2 million to build and is financed entirely by donations, will have a 17-meter high ornamental tower decorated with sculptures. Stone masons are coming from India to carry out the work.