Places of worship in England
Apr 25, 2011 12:31:29 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2011 12:31:29 GMT
I came across quite a few interesting churches and temples while I was in England. The biggest surprise was a 16 million pound building that stands out above all the buildings in a town called Gravesend in the South East. Gravesend, Kent, is well known for it's large Indian community, it was in fact the first town that my family and I lived in when we arrived in the UK all those years back. Back then we had quite an ordinary Sikh temple that my family would attend most Sundays, as well as for weddings and other events. It was the hub of the community and always busy and full.
As the years have gone by, and Indians in the area have progressed and accumulated their owns businesses and wealth, they have looked for and developed a brand new building which now stands majestically above any other kind of church in the town. It really is quite impressive and made possible only by donations from the local Indian people.
I was told that it is the largest Gurdwara (temple) outside of India. It's full name is Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara. More about it on this link:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7719169.stm
I have my own photos of it when I toured this place, but here is one off the internet for now:
And here are my own photos of the Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara:
This road leads to the temple and is named after the founder of Sikhism:
From a distance:
It's situated on large grounds that also have a community center and this sports building:
I was told by local people that it is not yet fully completed and I can see that it is not. Building work is still going on on the outside as well as the inside:
The sign just outside of the door is in two languages, English and Punjabi:
The front doors. Everything about the building is well made. The doors are solid wood and well carved, the floors are marble:
The Sikh religion says that the head must be covered and shoes removed before entering the holy area to pray. So this is where shoes are left and head scarfs can be found if your head is not already covered:
Walking up the stairs and there's many of them!
The Golden Temple, depicted so well in this framed picture. This Temple, which is in Amritsar, India is the Sikh's holiest place to worship and the center or core for all followers.
Up more stairs and we can see this large colorful dome built into the roof area. I was told that architects from overseas were brought in to design and build this temple, as was some of the material needed to give it that certain look.
And then in we go to the area which is reserved for praying and meditation. Downstairs are many other rooms. Some not yet completed fully. I can see that one must be a large cooking and eating area. Sikhs believe in feeding anyone who enters the temple and all are invited. They do not believe in the cast system, to them everyone is equal. One reason that the Sikhs moved away from the Hindism many moons ago. I went with my English friend and she was also welcome. Also tours can be arranged to see this place at certain times.
While staying with Spindrift in Winchester, 'theone' took us to the New Forest, a lovely area. Within the New Forest was this ancient church. It is called 'The Parish church of Allsaints Minstead in the Diocese of Winchester.' (I hope I got that right!). It was truly a magical area, overlooking green fields and land where horses lazily grazed. The church is a Catholic one and many centuries old.
And the large cemetery that surrounds the church. An ideal place to be buried I'd say.
And then we go inside:
The ancient door:
Where babies are Christened, as is the Catholic way:
And a few more churches I saw in various places while in England. They fascinate me because I love looking at and discovering different kinds of architecture. And we simply don't get these kind of historic buildings here in Canada:
In Winchester:
Just outside of the Winchester Cathedral grounds:
And a look inside:
A local Sikh temple. I believe this building was once a Christian church:
In the main shopping area of Gravesend stands this Methodist one:
And so concludes my tour of religious abodes!
As the years have gone by, and Indians in the area have progressed and accumulated their owns businesses and wealth, they have looked for and developed a brand new building which now stands majestically above any other kind of church in the town. It really is quite impressive and made possible only by donations from the local Indian people.
I was told that it is the largest Gurdwara (temple) outside of India. It's full name is Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara. More about it on this link:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/7719169.stm
I have my own photos of it when I toured this place, but here is one off the internet for now:
And here are my own photos of the Shri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara:
This road leads to the temple and is named after the founder of Sikhism:
From a distance:
It's situated on large grounds that also have a community center and this sports building:
I was told by local people that it is not yet fully completed and I can see that it is not. Building work is still going on on the outside as well as the inside:
The sign just outside of the door is in two languages, English and Punjabi:
The front doors. Everything about the building is well made. The doors are solid wood and well carved, the floors are marble:
The Sikh religion says that the head must be covered and shoes removed before entering the holy area to pray. So this is where shoes are left and head scarfs can be found if your head is not already covered:
Walking up the stairs and there's many of them!
The Golden Temple, depicted so well in this framed picture. This Temple, which is in Amritsar, India is the Sikh's holiest place to worship and the center or core for all followers.
Up more stairs and we can see this large colorful dome built into the roof area. I was told that architects from overseas were brought in to design and build this temple, as was some of the material needed to give it that certain look.
And then in we go to the area which is reserved for praying and meditation. Downstairs are many other rooms. Some not yet completed fully. I can see that one must be a large cooking and eating area. Sikhs believe in feeding anyone who enters the temple and all are invited. They do not believe in the cast system, to them everyone is equal. One reason that the Sikhs moved away from the Hindism many moons ago. I went with my English friend and she was also welcome. Also tours can be arranged to see this place at certain times.
While staying with Spindrift in Winchester, 'theone' took us to the New Forest, a lovely area. Within the New Forest was this ancient church. It is called 'The Parish church of Allsaints Minstead in the Diocese of Winchester.' (I hope I got that right!). It was truly a magical area, overlooking green fields and land where horses lazily grazed. The church is a Catholic one and many centuries old.
And the large cemetery that surrounds the church. An ideal place to be buried I'd say.
And then we go inside:
The ancient door:
Where babies are Christened, as is the Catholic way:
And a few more churches I saw in various places while in England. They fascinate me because I love looking at and discovering different kinds of architecture. And we simply don't get these kind of historic buildings here in Canada:
In Winchester:
Just outside of the Winchester Cathedral grounds:
And a look inside:
A local Sikh temple. I believe this building was once a Christian church:
In the main shopping area of Gravesend stands this Methodist one:
And so concludes my tour of religious abodes!
