Bhaktivedanta Manor

As I am a second year Religious Studies student (nearly third year!!), the opportunity came up for me to visit the Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford. It is described on the website as the “Home of the Hare Krishna Movement” and George Harrison, from the Beatles, was the one who donated the Manor to the movement. I was really excited about visiting this Hindu place of worship.

 After the coach journey we arrived at the Manor, to be met by two Hindu Hare Krishna Monks dressed in Orange Robes. We were welcomed by them and taken to a room upstairs; on the way up I couldn’t help notice the beautiful pieces of artwork all over the walls. Religious art can be really gorgeous, but also really strange too! We had a small talk about the Hindu beliefs, specifically the Hare Krishna ones and we were also invited to join in with some chanting which was interesting! I always love to see the different ways of worshipping in different religions and this was something unique to everything I have previously experienced. 

 We then went downstairs to the main temple room – we were able to see things such as the Darshan, which is decorated daily and can take ages – I think they even said up to 3 hours. It was so beautiful, you can see the picture below. People were still finishing worship so we got to experience the chanting again on a bigger scale and it was cool to see people giving gifts as well.

Such beautiful colours!

 Other parts of our tour included looking round the George Harrison memorial garden which was stunning, the Bhagavad Gita walk around the lake (this is the Hindu sacred text and there were quotes scattered on the walk which was pretty), yoga (no matter how many times I try I just can’t get on with it!!) and there was also a cow farm there. Cows are extremely sacred in Hinduism and there were so many cows there, it was so cool! I even got to feed one. Finally, we grabbed lunch at the café there and I probably had the best samosa I have ever had. It’s making my mouth water even thinking about it…

I had a fantastic day the Bhaktivedanta Manor! I really hope I can go again in the future, they were celebrating Holi festival there the next day and I’d absolutely love to go...maybe next year!

Have you ever been to the Manor? Or another Hindu place of worship?