About Us

The Hindu community of Essex had been clamouring for some time, for a temple in the seaside town of Southend-on-sea. The nearest temple is in East London, which is located about 30 miles away, and access including transport was a problem for many.

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In recent years, there has been an upsurge in Essex population including people of Hindu faith.  This change in demography could be attributed to several factors, namely good selective schools; university towns in Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford, and Colchester; and a thriving IT industry that affords the luxury of working from home.

 

In the year 2018, a few well-wishers came together and resolved to help the community by inaugurating a temple for Lord Shiv (Shiva), in Southend-on-Sea.  A commercial premises with an appealing shop front was identified in Sutton Road, which was conveniently situated near the town centre with good transport links and other amenities. The temple was opened for worship on the Vinayaga Chauthurthi day.  Most statues of deities known as “murtis” were donated by local benefactors.  

A management committee was established to oversee the running of the temple. and also, to draft a constitution for the administration of the temple as a charitable organisation. Subsequently, the management made representations to the UK Charity Commission, seeking recognition and in due course secured charity status for the temple.  In 2021, the temple was registered as a Charity, a public organisation managed by an executive committee elected every year.

A year later, in order to accommodate the needs of a large sector of the community, a Shridi SaiBaba shrine was installed at the temple.  The patronage of the temple had been growing ever since, though there was a hiccup with the onset of the Covid pandemic, during which the temple remained closed for a couple of years.  It reopened in 2022 for worship, and since then the temple has grown from strength to strength.  Hindus from all ethnic backgrounds come to worship at the temple, as it is considered a place of the Divine that is welcoming and willing to accommodate people’s differing needs.

 

Income

The main source of income includes donations from well-wishers and offerings that form part of religious rituals conducted at the temple.  In addition, regular fund-raising events are organised by the temple, to bring in additional income.

 

Modifications to the premises.

Minor structural alterations to the temple were undertaken to meet the needs of the community. There was an opportunity to provide a living accommodation for a priest and thus basic living quarters were added at a cost at additional cost. The temple takes this opportunity to express their gratitude to all the donors, who made this possible.

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