New Hindu temple shows city's 'growing diversity'

The University of Bath recently announced the opening of a new Hindu temple on its Claverton Down campus, providing a space for religious activities for students and faculty. This initiative aims to offer a safe and welcoming environment for students and staff with religious beliefs, allowing them to practice their faith freely. The university hopes this will foster a stronger sense of community.

This marks the second Hindu temple in the city of Bath, with the other located on Rush Hill. Nathan Hartley, director of Bath and North East Somerset Faiths Forum, stated that the establishment of the new temple "reflects the increasing diversity of the area's population." The temple is seen as a valuable addition to the city's religious landscape.

Nigel Rawlinson, the project leader, attended the official opening ceremony on January 29th, noting that preparations for this religious space had been underway for 18 months. During the event, he stated, "I thank the Hindu Society and the hard-working staff behind the scenes who ensured this new Hindu temple could open on campus." His remarks highlighted the collaborative effort that brought the project to fruition.

Mr. Rawlinson added that the university's initiative to open a Hindu temple "is part of our wider interfaith project, where we already cater for a large number of Christian and Muslim students." He emphasized, "The University of Bath is an inclusive environment, welcoming students and staff from all backgrounds." This commitment to inclusivity strengthens the university's diverse community.

With approximately 4,000 years of history, Hinduism is the world's third-largest religion, boasting over 1 billion followers. While most adherents are of Indian descent, this spiritual tradition has also attracted a significant number of Western converts in the past 60 years. Hindus believe in the doctrine of reincarnation, the continuous cycle of life, death, and rebirth.