Berlin’s grandest temple, the culmination of a 20-year endeavor by 70-year-old Vilavanathan Krishnamurthy, is poised for completion. While the physical structure is ready, the temple patiently awaits the presence of deities.
Vilavanathan Krishnamurthy arrived in Berlin five decades ago, nurturing a dream to establish a temple for his community. While employed at the electrical company AEG, he founded an association dedicated to the creation of Shri Ganesh Temple. Yet, it took two decades to bring this vision to fruition.
Berlin’s Largest Temple, 20 Years in the Making, Awaits Divine Arrival
The temple association was established in 2004, and the Berlin district authority allotted Krishnamurthy a plot near Hasenheide Park. Financial constraints delayed construction, which couldn’t commence until 2010, and hurdles still persist today, including approval processes, deadlines, financial planning, and regulations.
Krishnamurthy revealed that the temple’s entire construction was funded through donations, without support from the Berlin Senate. With the growing Indian tech community in Berlin, contributions increased, especially as many earned their livelihoods from the construction of Amazon’s largest building in Berlin.
While the temple stands complete, it eagerly awaits the arrival of 27 meticulously crafted stone idols from India. A special six-day Kumbhabhishekam ceremony is scheduled for November, coinciding with Diwali, marking the culmination of this remarkable 20-year journey.
