By DPA
Berlin : Europe’s second biggest Hindu temple is to be built in a Berlin park, according to plans announced in the German capital.
Construction work on the temple dedicated to the elephant-headed deity Ganesh is due to begin on Oct 28 at Hasenheide in the suburb of Neukoelln.
The local mayor, Heinz Buschkowsky, Monday handed over a 73-year lease for the site to the Sri Ganesh Hindu Temple committee.
The temple is expected to act as a place of worship and cultural meeting point for the 6,000 Hindus living in Berlin.
A 17-metre ornamental tower dominates the entrance to the complex, which will contain one large temple with seating capacity for more than 300 and four smaller temples.
There will also be a community centre, kitchen and storage rooms.
The building, costing 850,000 euros ($1.12 million), will be financed almost exclusively by donations, according to the temple trustees.
Committee president Avnish Kumar Luganis said consumption of meat, tobacco, alcohol and other intoxicants would be expressly forbidden on the premises.
In addition to daily prayers and religious services, the temple will also be used for weddings and birthday celebrations. Yoga and meditation courses will also be offered, the president said.
Europe’s biggest Hindu temple is the Shri Venkateswara, which opened near the British city of Birmingham in August 2006.