Welcome to Derby Hindu Temple – Geeta Bhavan
Founded in 1975, Derby Hindu Temple – Geeta Bhavan stands as a spiritual, cultural, and community cornerstone for Hindus in Derby and the surrounding areas. What began as a modest initiative by a group of devoted individuals has grown into one of the region’s most respected and inclusive places of worship.
Our History
In the 1950s, the Indian community began to migrate to the UK. They carried the ambitions of Hindu culture and customs from India, with some of them remaining and establishing in Derby. In those days, in int family members held Satsang" in their homes because there were no places for the community to pray and worship. The number of Hindu families in Derby began to increase the 1960s, and in 1975, with the help of a small group of Devotees, an old building on Normanton Road in Derby was established into a Hindu Mandir and named Geeta Bhawan Derby.
Respected Hindu Members were elected to serve on a management committee and to oversee the institution's day-to-day operations and finances. The Hindu Community continued to grow, after we had been open for many years, we came to the stage where we needed to look at a new building to accommodate our community. The management and trustees put a lot of effort into raising money for the purpose of constructing a new temple in Derby. Due to a tragic incident that occurred in December 1992, the building caught fire, and a sizable amount of it was destroyed. However, a downstairs hall for more intimate public gatherings, including Kirtan and other events, was built because of community initiatives.
Thanks to the management committee's courage, perseverance, and collecting of contributions from the entire Indian community of Derby, In the year 2000, Land was sourced to build a new Mandir at Pear Tree Road. After overcoming several challenges and with the help of community members, goodwill, labour, and endurance, the temple was completed in 2009.
Serving the Community
Serving the Hindu community as well as the wider community who are sympathetic to Hindu religion and culture, the Derby Hindu Temple is a vast modern and purpose-built temple occupying grounds on Pear Tree Road.
Aartis (twice daily worship) are held daily, yoga classes 3 times per week and Hindi classes on Saturday mornings. Throughout the year we celebrate many Hindu religious events, charity walks as well as exhibitions and visits from highly-regarded Hindu mentors.
At the moment, this is the only Mandir in Derby, and there are two buildings situated onsite The main building is divided into two sections: an upstairs worship and Kirtan Hall, and a downstairs community hall. The smaller building is used as a community hall, with private dwelling quarters above.
Both function halls small and large are available for public for private and puja functions at very reasonable prices that also includes the kitchen facilities for cooking and serving meals for the visiting guests. There are ample parking facilities for the victors which is free of charge. School visits to our temple are a regular feature and we welcome such interest in gaining knowledge about the Hindu religion. We respect the peace and privacy of the residents in the locality and ask the same of visitors to our temple.
The temple has resident Pujari (Priest) who conducts regular Arti and Puja in the temple but he is also available on request to perform puja at individuals home where a small donation is made to the mandir. The temple pujari is also available on request to perform marriages and attend funerals and Hindu ceremonies for the family at passing away of their loved members. For funerals the main function hall is also available for use of the family and guests without any charges Currently, the temple is authorised to perform civil marriages and has a designated registrar with the authority to issue marriage certificates. In accordance with temple regulations, celebrations, engagements, and marriages may be held in the main or smaller hall.
The temple is registered charity body which provide services for welfare of the society and conducts various functions for Hindu community O UK. The temple has legal has body of trustees who are the legal guardian of the temple and has democratically elected management committee who looks after day to day running of the temple and maintenance of the building. The management committee Is elected by individual members of the temple. The temple membership is open to Hindu community of Derby and neighbouring cities and towns