Awards & Accolades
Outstanding Achievement Award in ‘Brent in Bloom’ Competition, 2012
‘Brent in Bloom’ is an annual competition that provides an opportunity for the local community to exhibit their gardening skills and aims to make the borough more attractive for residents and visitors alike. It has seven categories with marks awarded for colour, design, quality of plants, and cleanliness.
Following awards in 2009 and 2010, the Mandir was again acknowledged for its outstanding achievements in helping make the local community “a greener, cleaner place to live, work and visit”, part of a the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Britain in Bloom’ campaign to help “communities become better places to live.”
First Prize in ‘Brent in Bloom’ Competition, 2010
‘Brent in Bloom’ is an annual competition that provides an opportunity for the local community to exhibit their gardening skills and aims to make the borough more attractive for residents and visitors alike. It has seven categories with marks awarded for colour, design, quality of plants, and cleanliness.
For the second year running, the Mandir was selected as the best Business/Public Premises in Brent, and was acknowledged with a special discretionary award presented to community groups, local authorities, businesses, and individuals who have achieved excellence in a specific category.
Olympic ‘Landmark London’ Pin Badge Featuring Brent’s Neasden Temple, 2010
In September 2009, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and London Councils launched the ‘Landmark London’ competition. Londoners were invited to vote for the most iconic landmark in their borough that they would most like to see featured in an individual pin badge. Each of London’s 33 boroughs was required to shortlist four ‘landmarks’ which, in the eyes of Londoners, represents what “makes their borough great”. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden was featuring as the selected landmark for the London Borough of Brent, with an Olympic pin badge created with the image of the Mandir.
First Prize in ‘Brent in Bloom’ Competition, 2009
‘Brent in Bloom’ is an annual competition that provides an opportunity for the local community to exhibit their gardening skills and aims to make the borough more attractive for residents and visitors alike. It has seven categories with marks awarded for colour, design, quality of plants, and cleanliness.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, was awarded first prize in the category of Business/Public Premises. The gardens also received a Certificate of Excellence from the ‘London in Bloom’ campaign for 2009.
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, 2009
On 2 June 2009, The Children’s Forum of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, UK (BAPS), based at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, was announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the country – and only one of two in London – winning the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2009. The Award recognises the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others.
Seven Wonders of London, 2007
Time Out, the highly respected international city-guide publishers, declared the Mandir as one of the “Seven Wonders of London”. In an “epic series… to pay tribute to… the capital’s seven most iconic buildings and landmarks”, they embarked upon an ambitious search of London’s best. The Mandir featured among the choice seven.
UK Pride of Place Award, 2007
The Mandir was awarded the ‘UK Pride of Place’ award by Government authorities after a nationwide online poll. After weeks of voting, the Mandir registered the largest number of votes across the country as well as in London, with an overwhelming 81% of votes from the London Borough of Brent. This means the Mandir was voted as the place that generates the greatest pride amongst local residents. Ministers hailed it as “an inspiring building of which the whole country can be proud.”
Guinness World Records 2002
There are 45,000 officially recognised records approved by Guinness World Records limited. Every year some 3,000 are chosen and published in the book.
The 2002 edition had a print run of 3.7 million copies distributed in 40 countries and in 20 languages. The first book of records was printed in 1955 and to date over 90 million copies have been sold.
In the 2002 edition, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has the distinction of being mentioned three times:
Influential People
The book has a section on Influential People of the World. Pramukh Swami Maharaj was chosen as one of the most influential people today in recognition for his contribution in transforming the lives of millions through the building of mandirs.
Record-Breaking Annakut Festival, London
Guinness World Records presented a certificate to recognise the world record of offering 1247 vegetarian dishes during the Annakut Festival held at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London on 27 October 2000.
Record-Breaking Mandir
Guinness World Records presented a certificate to recognise the largest traditionally-built Hindu temple outside India.
Guinness World Records 2001
Guinness World Records recognises the largest traditionally-built Hindu temple outside India.
Guinness World Records 2000
The Millennium Edition of Guinness World Records 2000 hailed His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj as a masterbuilder. On page 36, under the Architects & Masterbuilders category of the Knowledge section, a colour photograph of the London mandir and Pramukh Swami Maharaj, together with brief details of the Mandir was included.
As it was a collector’s item, a staggering 2.7 million copies of the new Millennium Edition were printed, making it the largest initial print run of a colour illustrated non-fiction book. The English edition was distributed to 70 different countries, with another 22 editions in foreign languages.
Guinness Book of Records 1998
The Mandir was mentioned in the 1998 edition of the Guinness Book of Records on page 172 in the Religious Architecture section, as the “Largest Hindu Temple outside India”.
Guinness Book of Records 1997
The first time the Mandir was recognised was in the 1997 Guinness Book of Records on page 185 in the Architecture category of the Commerce section. A colour photograph and details of the mandir were included under the title “Largest stone Hindu temple outside India.”
The Eventful 20th Century – 70 Wonders of the Modern World
This prestigious Reader’s Digest publication (1998) prominently mentions the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London, lauding its scale, intricate detail and the extraordinary story of how it was built and inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1997/98
In the 1997/8 Annual Report of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, the Mandir is featured on page 22 and is referred to as a “modern building of major importance in our multicultural society.”
Most Enterprising Building Award, 1996
Awarded by the Royal Fine Art Commission & British Sky Broadcasting for the Swaminarayan Mandir in London.
Natural Stone Award, 1995
The Stone Federation issued a special award to the Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in 1995 as part of its Natural Stone Awards.
Brent Green Leaf Award, 1995
This environmental award was presented by the local Brent Council to the Mandir for “using environmentally friendly materials and techniques”, including collecting over 7 million aluminium cans in less than 3 years. This formed part of the fundraising and environmental awareness campaign as the Mandir was being built.
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