The Story Behind our University's Mandir

A Milestone for the Hindu Community at the University of Bath

After 18 months of dedicated effort, I am proud to announce that we have successfully opened a Mandir at the University of Bath. This space stands as a testament to the power of community, dialogue, and perseverance, ensuring that Hindu students now have a place to practice their faith in accordance with their traditions.

We are now one of only three universities in the UK with a Dharmic faith space—and the first with one dedicated solely to Hinduism! I’m incredibly proud that we’ve made this a reality, leaving a lasting legacy in my final year.

This journey was filled with challenges, but through collaboration and advocacy, we secured a meaningful solution that not only benefits the Hindu community but also fosters interfaith dialogue and inclusion at the university.

Recognizing the Need for a Hindu Space

For many years, Hindu students at Bath lacked a dedicated space for prayer and worship that felt authentic and respectful.

Hindu worship involves sacred rituals, the presence of murtis (idols), and structured prayers that require continuity and reverence. Without a dedicated space, HinduSoc relied on temporary solutions, such as setting up makeshift worship areas and storing idols in different locations.

This approach was not sustainable. Hindu prayer requires permanence, and repeatedly setting up and dismantling a sacred space was neither practical nor appropriate.

The First Steps: Formalizing Our Request

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, we took a formal approach.

In October 2023, we submitted a formal letter requesting a dedicated Hindu prayer space. This letter outlined:

• The growing Hindu student population, with 1,380 students identifying as Hindu, making it one of the largest religious communities on campus.
• The lack of an accessible Hindu temple in Bath, making it difficult for students to stay connected with their faith.
• The need for a permanent space to house Hindu idols (murtis) and accommodate daily prayers, religious gatherings, and cultural events.

The letter also emphasized that such a space would foster inclusivity, cultural diversity, and interfaith dialogue, ensuring that Hindu students felt supported and represented.

While this letter initiated discussions with the university, we soon realized that a structured, research-backed case was necessary to further strengthen our request.

Building a Strong Case: Research and Advocacy

By November 2023, we recognized the importance of presenting data-driven evidence to justify our request for a Hindu prayer space.

To address this, I wrote "The Case for a Hindu Mandir on the University of Bath Campus," which outlined:

• The rapid growth of Hindu students at Bath, demonstrating a clear demand for faith-based facilities.
• The difficulty of accessing off-campus temples, as the nearest Hindu temple had limited opening hours and was difficult to reach for students without cars.
• The importance of an inclusive approach to faith spaces, ensuring that students from all backgrounds felt included and supported.

At the same time, David Lam, as SU Activities Officer and Melissa Oram, wrote and presented "Faith Space on Campus Proposal" to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) in January 2024. His report reinforced the importance of inclusive faith spaces, ensuring that Hindu and Sikh students were included in broader discussions.

With these proposals in place, discussions with the university and initiated a wide-ranging project to carry out a comprehensive review of the University’s provision of spiritual care for a community of many faiths, and to develop the Bath University Interfaith Community (BUIC). This eventually lead to their first formal space offer.

Finding the Right Space: Working Towards a Solution

The university initially offered a shared emergency accommodation space for Hindu and Sikh students.

While this was a step in the right direction, it posed challenges:

• The space was too small for regular prayer gatherings.
• It restricted access, allowing only 12 people to pray at a time.
• It did not provide a permanent home for murtis, which is integral to Hindu worship.

After discussions with both Hindu and Sikh communities, we mutually agreed that the space did not fully meet the needs of either group.

Rather than seeing this as a setback, we viewed it as a stepping stone—one that would ensure we are respecting the unique needs of each faith while reinforcing the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

A Breakthrough: Securing a Permanent Space

As part of the university’s efforts to enhance faith-based facilities, the University Chaplaincy reached out to the Islamic Society to discuss the possibility of repurposing part of an existing prayer space for Hindu use. Through collaborative discussions involving HinduSoc, the university, and key faith representatives, a solution was agreed upon that would allow for a dedicated Hindu prayer space while ensuring that all faith groups retained appropriate facilities.

To accommodate the specific needs of Hindu worship, several key modifications were made to the space:

• The Brother’s Ablution (washing) facility was converted into shoe storage, while a female toilet was transformed into a kitchenette/food preparation area to support Hindu religious practices, particularly for preparing Prasad.
• The former quiet reflection space was reconfigured to create a stable and sanctified environment for Hindu prayer.
• A table for the idols, bean bags, and a lockable storage cabinet were purchased to make the space both functional and comfortable.
• The old locks were replaced with a library card reader, allowing for easier and more secure access.
• The fire alarm system is being modified to be heat-based instead of smoke-based, ensuring that future discussions on diya lighting can be explored safely.
• New carpet installation has been agreed upon for a later date, as the priority was to open the space for Semester 2 without unnecessary delays.
• I also personally arranged for the plants in the space to create a more peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

Just before the inauguration ceremony, we encountered an unexpected challenge—we were informed that lighting diyas would not be allowed indoors due to new fire safety regulations under the Building Safety Act.

Having previously worked with the university’s fire safety advisor to develop a Risk Assessment for diya lighting during Diwali, we were able to temporarily secure permission to light diyas under controlled conditions for the inauguration.

For the time being, we will be using electric candles for daily prayers while working towards a long-term approved solution.

The inauguration was a moment of immense pride, not just because we had secured a space, but because it represented a significant step towards a more inclusive and representative campus.

A special thank you to Krutagna and Anika for supporting the university in organizing the opening ceremony and puja—their efforts played a key role in ensuring a smooth and meaningful inauguration.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy for the Future

This has been a challenging but deeply rewarding journey. What started as a vision—a plea for recognition, inclusivity, and a space where Hindu students could worship, reflect, and connect with their heritage—has now become a reality.

The opening of this space represents more than just a place of worship; it is a step toward faith inclusion at the university, ensuring that Hindu students no longer have to struggle to practice their faith. It fosters a sense of belonging, promotes cultural exchange, and acknowledges the growing presence of the Hindu community at Bath.

A huge thank you to Jane Lovey, whose dedication and hard work were instrumental in making this space a reality. She played a critical role in coordinating all the infrastructure work, ensuring everything was set up properly and ready for use. Her commitment and attention to detail made a significant difference in bringing this project to completion. I also want to extend my gratitude to Jane White, who oversaw the project and supported its progress.

I would also like to acknowledge David Lam for his advocacy for inclusive faith spaces, Nigel Rawlinson for his support in securing this space, and the Islamic Society for working with us throughout this process. A special thanks to Pt. Kusumadhar Pandey for conducting the puja and guiding us in inaugurating the space with the right traditions.

This Mandir is more than just a physical space—it is a symbol of representation and resilience for Hindu students on campus. It ensures that our community has a safe, permanent place to express its faith without compromise. As seen in universities like KCL and Yale, such spaces not only enhance well-being and cultural connection but also help bridge interfaith understanding and dialogue.

To future HinduSoc members: This space is yours—cherish it, use it, and continue to make it a vibrant center for faith, culture, and community. Let it be a reminder that persistence and dedication can create lasting change.

This is just the beginning.