Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy, a dedicated volunteer, has witnessed the fruition of his nearly two-decade-long endeavour to build a Hindu temple in Berlin. Now, against the backdrop of Germany's late summer sun, the 70-year-old proudly showcases the temple's architectural features, elaborating on the choice of colours and materials. With a hopeful smile, he anticipates the massive six-day temple opening celebration scheduled for November, saying, "We're waiting for the gods," in an interview with Deutsche Welle, a German broadcaster.
The remarkable journey spanning almost two decades to construct this temple not only underscores the persistence required for a construction project but also highlights the transformation of individuals referred to as "guest workers" into integral members of Berlin's diverse cultural tapestry.
Krishnamurthy's story unfolds as he recounts how he and his wife arrived in what was then West Berlin nearly half a century ago, securing employment with the electrical company AEG for a mere three Deutschmarks per hour (equivalent to about €1.50 or $1.62 today). Subsequently, he founded an association with a singular purpose – to build a temple. He articulates, "This temple is a dream for me. As a Hindu, I can celebrate everything at home, but the joy of celebrating alongside others, with friends, requires a dedicated space."
The Sri-Ganesha Hindu Temple construction association has been active since 2004. Shortly thereafter, the district authority extended the offer of land on the periphery of Hasenheide Park, situated between the districts of Kreuzberg, Neukölln, and Tempelhof. Krishnamurthy described this gesture as a "gift from the gods".
Commencing construction was initially slated for 2007, then 2010. Numerous groundbreaking ceremonies and completion dates followed. However, insufficient funding posed a persistent challenge. Krishnamurthy recounts the various phases of the German construction process, marked by regulations, approval procedures, deadlines, and financing plans.
Remarkably, the temple, which is now nearing completion, was entirely funded by the foundation itself. Krishnamurthy clarifies, "We have persevered with our own donations. We did not receive support from the Berlin Senate, the district authority, or the federal government. I can understand that. We did not wish to incur temple construction debt that our future generations would have had to repay. Thus, we relied on donations."
This local narrative of a Berlin district intersects with the broader global story of the tech boom and its impact on the economy. According to the Indian embassy, Berlin is home to up to 15,000 people from India, while other estimates suggest the number may reach up to 20,000. Thousands of young Indian professionals in the tech sector have been drawn to Berlin by IT companies.
The temple's proximity to the "Amazon Tower," Berlin's tallest high-rise under construction, where many young Indians are employed, has contributed significantly to increased donations. Krishnamurthy notes, "In the past five years, we have witnessed substantial growth in donations. Young people are willing to contribute generously."
As the temple approaches completion, Krishnamurthy expresses his contentment with the progress. He shares insights into the transport of materials from India to Berlin and the meticulous quality checks, including a stone-curing process spanning several weeks. Come November, around the time of the Diwali festival of lights, he aims to complete the project, marking the beginning of the six-day Kumbhabhishekham consecration ceremony.