Temple marks 50 years with nine-day celebration

A Hindu temple converted from a terraced house 50 years ago is marking its half-century milestone with nine days of vibrant celebrations.

Shree Kalyan Mandal temple in Rugby has already hosted a range of events, with daily colour theming and a children's party included as celebrations reach their final day on Sunday.

The temple's vice president Dhiresh Mistry said up to 700 people were expected to visit in the coming days as excitement built, and encouraged the local community to get involved.

"It's a way to remember the elders who established the temple and celebrate with them as we look forward to the next 50 years," he said.

In 1968, a group named Shree Kalyan Mandal was formed in Rugby with members holding prayers at each other's homes using a mobile temple.

As the group grew, they prayed in community halls before purchasing a terraced house in 1974 and converting it into a temple.

To this day, the same property on Kimberley Road is used.

Mr Mistry said that during anniversary celebrations, the temple had a different coloured clothing theme each day to unite the community, with everyone wearing gold on Sunday.

The temple said that the number of people attending the celebrations had been more than expected with local councillors and church leaders visiting its open day on Wednesday.

It also held yoga events and a gathering to remember past members earlier in the week while on Thursday it was to host a Mahila Din event, also known as a ladies day, filled with songs and prayers.

The final day will consist of a small procession with rose petals and a flag raising ceremony, followed by food and singing.

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