Hindu temple The Hague

The biggest Hindu temple complex in Europe is to be built in The Hague. A consortium of three different currents in Hinduism will build three adjacent temples to the east of the city centre. The complex is due for completion in 2014.

The Hague has a large Hindustani population - immigrants from Suriname, the former Dutch colony in South America, whose forbears originally came from South Asia. With a population of 60,000, they form the city’s largest ethnic minority group. The three communities will foot the bill for the complex themselves. Two apartment blocks providing 45 homes will be built alongside the temple.
The local council has now given the project its final backing, and says the complex will become an icon for the city. Labour Party councillor Rajesh Ramnewash says he is “extremely proud” of the cooperation among the three different Hindu movements, who drew up the plan jointly.
Despite their differences, it proved remarkably simple for the three communities to work together, he says. They were brought together by the need for a “beautiful, serene space” to practice their faith, says Mr Ramnewash. “Until now we were obliged to use out-of-the-way offices or converted garages. Now we can make a start on a huge complex.” The councillor believes it will be the only temple complex in the world to be shared by three divisions of Hinduism.
Funds
The sale of the apartment blocks, to be built by a project developer, will generate funds to contribute to the cost of the temple complex. But the three communities can actually afford to pay for the complex themselves. “Otherwise the council wouldn’t have accepted the plan.”
Mr Ramnewash says a tight schedule has been set for the project. The plan is to be finalised within six months. “Construction will start at the end of 2012.” He doesn’t expect the new temple complex to meet with any resistance in the city.