Lewisham Sivan Temple — Attraction in London

I went to the temple today on my birthday to seek blessings. As an international student, this is my first birthday abroad, and being Tamil, not going to a temple felt heavy on my heart.

My friend, who wanted me to get the blessings, came with me straight from her work place.

While the temple itself is beautiful, peaceful, and truly feels like home, my experience today left me really hurt.

One staff member politely reminded us about appropriate dress code as my friends shorts was covered till the knee, which we understood. My friend immediately apologised and explained him the situation and wanted to step out.

But then a lady, who introduced herself as a trustee, suddenly came over and spoke to us very rudely. She shouted at my friend, called her names, and said she is “ruining our culture,” as if we didn’t belong there. Perhaps because my friend is North Indian. She even refused to give us prasad.

Eventually, she called bouncers to remove us in front of hundreds of devotees, when we were leaving already — on my birthday, when all I wanted was blessings.

My friend was even willing to wait outside, but the situation was handled with unnecessary harshness.

As a young students living alone abroad, it was really upsetting to be treated this way especially by someone old enough to be like a parent to us. This could have been handled with kindness and understanding instead.

That being said, I still appreciate the temple for its infrastructure, peaceful atmosphere, and the way it brings the community together. They also host wonderful cultural activities like singing and dance classes for kids.

I only hope no one else has to go through what I did today, and that future visitors are met with compassion...

One of the most authentic, clean and peaceful Hindu temples in the UK. This temple is probably one of the best examples of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta worship I have ever seen. The positioning of the shrines, the festivals and the rituals are all true to the ancient traditions of Shaivism from Tamil Nadu/Srilanka. The congregation is very well behaved and peaceful so you don't find the kind of noise and chaos you find in other Hindu Temples. Despite not being from this very close knit Srilankan Tamil community, I am never made to feel like an outsider. This is a wonderful place for those who want peace and quiet and experience Shaiva Hinduism in its glory. The only snag is that the priests do all announcements in Tamil - for me this is wonderful as they are making efforts to preserve their language, however as a non Tamil speaker you sometimes miss out on what is being said. The priests are however very friendly and...

Lewisham Sivan Temple is a vibrant Hindu temple located in Lewisham, serving as a spiritual and cultural hub for the local Tamil and broader Hindu community. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sivan), the temple offers regular prayers, pujas, and religious festivals, creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere for worshippers and visitors alike.

The temple is known for its friendly community, well-organized events, and beautiful traditional architecture. It often hosts cultural programs, language classes, and community gatherings, fostering a strong sense of togetherness. Whether you’re attending for spiritual reasons or cultural engagement, Lewisham Sivan Temple provides a warm and...