 | | Diwali at the temple |
The Diwali celebrations at the huge, newly opened Hindu temple of Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) drew people from all over the country. Dr VP Narayan Rao is chairman of the temple trustees. He explained how Diwali had been celebrated at the temple in Tividale: "The first Diwali is very important for this temple. We have the social aspect, the religious aspect and the festive aspect.
 | | Dr VP Narayan Rao, Trustees chairman |
"In the morning we worship Lakshmi - prosperity and wealth. In the morning all the ladies did the prayers. And then we had a feast. After the feast we had the usual prayers for the temple - for Lord Balaji - he was given a bath, decorated and worshipped. "Then after that we had a cultural programme. We had a dance-drama, more drama and music, dances etcetera. After finishing that we are going to pray to Gauri - the other aspect of divinity - which is austerity and penance, prayed again by the women.
 | | Fireworks over the temple |
"Following that, the children will be marching with the candles all around - to mark this day of peace. Because it is a festival of light - for peace and emancipation. Our prayer is: Kindly lead us from darkness into light. "Then we will have the usual prayers of the temple and the evening will end with fireworks. "This morning we had more than a thousand people. We attract people from all languages of India - it's not southeast or west. This is the beginning - naturally every year it will improve more and more.
 | | Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) temple |
"After this festival we will study what is required for the devotees, their involvement and participation at these events, and in that way we'll grow." "We think this temple is fantastic" Sumathi Muthukrishnan, with her husband and children, had travelled from Stafford to worship at the temple. She said: "Basically I'm from Malaysia. This is a very auspicious day for the Hindus. We've come to this temple to offer our thanksgivings.
 | | Diwali at the temple |
"We think this temple is fantastic - it's one of its kind in England - it's brilliant - a replica of a temple in India. I will visit again because it's so beautiful. You feel such strong energy in this temple." Open to everybody As temple manager Sri Praveen Kumar Acharya coordinates the temple volunteers, organises activities and teaches. He said: "Today we had two thousand people plus from morning to evening. People will be coming until we close the temple - it's been a very successful event.
 | | The Muthukrishnan family |
"This is the biggest Hindu temple in Europe - it's open to everybody. We're here to reach the public. It will be more successful every year. "As you have seen there's a lot of multi-faith people here and participating in the event. This temple is very open to all the community, as long as they are respectful." "We wish for the whole of mankind" Ram had travelled from Coventry for Diwali at the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) temple. He explained why:
 | | Sri Praveen Kumar Acharya |
"On this day we go to the temple in the evenings - to wish to God that life will be happy and successful in the future. This temple is the biggest of this God in Europe, which is why I came here." Would he like to send Diwali greetings? "Yes! On Diwali we not only wish for ourself, we wish for the whole of mankind. We pray that everyone should be safe and the world should be in peace." More information
 | | Ram (centre, white shirt) |
Address: Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) temple,
Dudley Road East, Tividale, West Midlands, B69 3DU. Website: www.venkateswara.org.uk | 
