About us
A temple to transcend religious, geographical, spiritual and political boundaries
The Earth does not recognise the human constructs of religious and geopolitical divisions. Personified in Indic traditions as a divine Mother Goddess, She is the basis of our manifest existence. From this Manifest Source, we make our spiritual journey towards that Unmanifest Source which cannot be fully perceived by the constraints of the limited human intellect. We are nothing without the nurture and support of Mother Earth.
Whatever one’s background, and whatever name one knows God by, Mother Earth unites us. For people of all faiths and none, this is a space to pause, meditate and reflect. This is a place find and reconnect with the Collective Consciousness and long-lost core values that bring us all together as a One World Family that includes not only humanity but the whole of nature. Here, we can re-establish our unity while sharing and celebrating our diversity.
We stand on holy ground. We view the trees, plants, birds, fish, air, water, rocks, ourselves and all elements of nature as consecrated and worthy of reverence and adoration and this worldview colours our actions and attitudes. Although this temple has Indic and Hindu roots, it is a place that anybody hailing from the many varied ancient indigenous traditions of the world will relate to. Mother Earth Hindu Temple is a place where the world can be educated on the many systems that place nature on a par with humanity.
Why do we need this Temple
Mother Earth Hindu Temple is a charity created by local residents, for local residents.
East Renfrewshire’s as well as South-West Scotland’s Hindu population has grown in number, diversity and strength in recent decades. The need for a local temple has been the subject of many a conversation among almost all of the Hindu social, cultural and linguistic circles settled in the vicinity.
Mother Earth Hindu Temple was envisioned with various intentions in mind.
Firstly, another temple was required to serve the wider Hindu community in East Renfrewshire and indeed South-West Scotland. This temple needed to cater for the fact that Scotland’s Hindu population has become very diverse. People who identify themselves as belonging to the Indian diaspora themselves hail from a number of different traditions, languages and customs, even if they are all Hindu. Moreover, there are a number of Hindus who do not have ethnic or familial links with India. The temple therefore needed to surmount any such divisions and promote unity while celebrating diversity. Mother Earth Hindu Temple welcomes all Hindus not only to worship in any way they please, but to host and organise educational activities, cultural events and festivals.
Secondly, due to the COP26 conference in 2021, Glasgow was hoisted onto the world stage as a centre for global collaboration for the welfare of the Earth, personified as a Divine Mother in Hinduism. The concept of Mother Earth acts as a bridge between the Hindu community and other local communities at large. It was hoped that this temple would serve not only as a religious and spiritual place of worship, but as a place of harmony and friendship, and a hub of service and activity for people of all faiths and none – for the benefit of the local community and the planet.
