Hinduism in the West Midlands

Hinduism developed in India over a period of about 3,000 years. The word literally means 'the religion of the peoples of India'. Hindus believe in many gods, although most believe in an absolute spiritual force behind them all known as Brahma. Brahma unfolds into the Trimurti (or trinity) made up of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the great preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer and re-creator). All Hindus believe in reincarnation and vegetarianism, holding the cow to be a sacred animal. Popular gods and heroes of Hinduism include Ganesha the god with an elephant's head, Rama the virtuous god-king and his wife Sita, Hanuman the monkey god and Krishna the blue coloured eighth avatar of Vishnu.

Hindus believe there are three ways to salvation: performing correct religious observances, understanding the meaning of life through reason and meditation, and thirdly through devotion through the worship of a particular deity. Tradionally Hindus are born into one of four castes. The holy books of Hinduism include the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas and Upanishads.

Over half of Hindus in the United Kingdom were born in this country. The majority of older Hindus came from Kutch and South Gujarat in India with others coming from Mirpur and Punjab on the north west frontier between India, Pakistan and Kashmir. Other Hindus came from Sylhet in Bangladesh and about 10% from East Africa, primarily Kenya and Uganda. The areas of highest concentration of Hindus in the West Midlands are Sandwell, Handsworth, Soho, Wolverhampton, Coventry and Walsall.

Birmingham

Swaminarayan Hindu Mission, 23-43 Ivor Road, Birmingham B11 4NR
Shree Geeta Bhawan Temple, 107 - 117 Heathfield Road, Birmingham B19 1HL
Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir, 541a Warwick Road, Tyseley, Birmingham B11 2JP
Shree Krishna Temple, 10 Sampson Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1JL

Coventry
Baba Balak Nath Ji Mandir, Profit Avenue, Coventry CV6 7EQ
Hindu Mandir, 43 Sullivan Road, Coventry CV6 7JX
Hindu Temple, 274 Stoney Stanton Lane, Coventry CV6 5DJ
Iskcon Coventry, 19 Gloucester Street, Coventry CV1 3BZ
Krishna Templ, 92a Stoney Road, Coventry CV1 4FL
Sanatan Dharam Hindu Temple, 56 Mason Road, Coventry CV6 7FJ

Dudley
Hindu Cultural Society - Mata Da Mandir, 57-59 King Street, Dudley DY2 8PY
Krishna Temple, Hope Street, Dudley DY2

Leamington Spa
Krishna Temple, 10b High Street, Leamington Spa CV31 ILW

Nuneaton
Hindu Gujarati Samaj, 45 Abbey Street, Nuneaton CV11 5DE

Rugby
Bharat Sevak Samaj-Rugby, 4 Kimberley Road, Rugby CV21 3EZ

Stoke on Trent
Hindu Cultural Centre, The Dudson Centre, Hope Street, Hanley, Stoke on Trent ST1 5DD

Walsall
Hindu Mandir, 139 Darlaston Road, Walsall WS1 4JL
Hindu Samaj Mandir, 48 Cook Street, Walsall
Mandir Baba Balak Nath, 96a Caldmore Road, Walsall WS1 3PD
Rama Mandir, Ford Street, Walsall W52 9BU
Hindu Samaj Mandal Temple, 18, Salisbury St., Darlaston, WS10

West Bromwich
Hindu Cultural Resource Centre, 72-76 New Street, West Bromwich B70 7PT
Krishna Mandir, 25 Dilliars Walk, West Bromwich
Krishna Mandir, 81 Old Meeting Street, West Bromwich B70 9SZ

Wolverhampton
Krishan Mandir, 123 Penn Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 0DR
Rama-Krishna Temple, 39 Wellington Road, Wolverhampton

Hinduism Holy Days

Hindu festivals are largely linked with the movements of the sun and moon and with seasonal changes, but they also incorporate the myths of the Ramayana, and Krishna's activities.

Diwali (Deepvali) A festival of lights which celebrates the New Year. It is celebrated between late October and mid-November.

Makar Sankrant Makar Sankrant is the first Hindu festival of the solar calendar year.

Mahashivratri Mahashivratri is a Hindu festival dedicated to Shiva, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity.

Holi The spring festival associated with Krishna when people throw coloured powder and water at each other. Holi also celebrates creation and renewal.

Varsha Pratipada The Spring New Year festival.

Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) An April harvest or New Year's festival depending on area, Vaisakhi is also celebrated by Sikhs.

Rama Navami Rama Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya.

Hanuman Jayanti This festival marks the birth of Hanuman, the Monkey God.

Raksha Bandhan The Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love.

Janamashtami (Krishna Jayanti) The festival marks the birth of Krishna, the most highly venerated God in the Hindu pantheon.

Ganesh Chaturthi This festival sees Hindus all over the world celebrating the birthday of Lord Ganesh.

Navaratri (Navratri) and Durga Puja Navaratri (nine nights) is one of the greatest Hindu festivals. It symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Dasara (Dassehra) Ten days of celebration in honour of Durga or Kali. It is held between late September and mid-October and lasts nine days to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.