London is known for its multicultural vibe, and those wishing to explore this side of the English capital would be well-advised to pay a visit to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. 

The place of worship is currently hosting an Understanding Hinduism exhibition, which looks at the religion as a whole, and also covers the contributions made by India in many fields.

It looks at the broad-mindedness of Hinduism, and how this has contributed to scientific advancement.

Ideal for any novice or scholar, the exhibition is described as "stimulating and enlightening".

The building is the first traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe, and considerable effort went into its construction.

Some 2,820 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and 2,000 tonnes of Italian Carrera marble were shipped to India, carved by more than 1,500 craftsmen and reshipped to London, where they were assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

A video presentation within the exhibition explains how the unique Mandir was built, what goes on within its walls, and why it is so important.

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Posted by Michael Edwards