Nestled on the edge of Hasenheide near Hermannplatz, Neukölln now features a slice of Mumbai with its striking Sri Ganesha Hindu temple. Planned since 2004 and constructed over the years through donations, this 59-foot-tall temple stands as a testament to the enduring dedication of the Indian community in Berlin. Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy, a former welding technician and one of around 30,000 Indians living in Berlin, leads us through this impressive site. Although the original plan was for a taller structure, the construction had to be adjusted due to the presence of Tempelhof Airport at the time the permit was granted.
The temple’s tower is adorned with 185 intricately detailed deities, part of the vast pantheon of over three million Hindu gods. Inside the hall, statues of the Indian elephant god Ganesha and his family preside over the sacred space. The increasing influx of Indian specialists and students—many of whom work as Wolt, Lieferando, and Flink drivers—has heightened the temple’s significance. “This temple allows these young people to celebrate their rituals and festivals here, giving them peace of mind knowing they can practice their religion away from home,” Krishnamurthy notes.
The temple’s inauguration has faced multiple delays, but it is now expected to occur by the end of the year. The latest delay is due to logistical issues: “The wooden carved doors and other deities are set to arrive in August, but due to the ongoing Houthi attacks in Yemen, our cargo ship had to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope. This detour has extended the journey by an additional month and a half,” Krishnamurthy explains.
