London, July 27, 2013: A Historic Hindu temple which was the first of its kind to be built in Europe is celebrating its momentous Silver Jubilee in Willesden, London this week.

People from as far afield as Australia, India and America travelled to the UK for the 25th anniversary of the landmark Shree Swaminarayan Temple.

Celebrations included a street festival attended by thousands, a live music concert and an opening ceremony choreographed by the youth of the Temple.

The temple is the first Swaminarayan Mandir, a temple for followers of a Hindu sect called Swaminarayan Sampraday, to be built in the capital.

The sect was established over two centuries ago by Lord Shree Swaminarayan and has over 20 million followers worldwide.

The festivities, which mark the 25th anniversary of the temple, have run from July 20 till July 2013 during the religious festival Patotsav.

Patotsav honours the birthday of a temple which is the day where idols are installed as opposed to when the construction of the building is completed.

The London Shree Swaminarayan Temple was built on the site of a disused church in 1975 and was later renovated to house its increasing followers.

The ceremonial stone in the renovation process was laid on 12 October 1986 and the temple was officially opened on 29 July 1988.

Hundreds of volunteers have prepared for almost two years to hold the nine days of festivities.

Source: Express, DT. July 27, 2013.