London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12
Murugan (Kartikeya) with Valli and Devasena temple · London (Manor Park / East Ham), London Borough of Newham, England, United Kingdom
Photo: Felix O · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
London Sri Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple in east London, on Church Road (postcode E12 6AF) in the London Borough of Newham, in the Manor Park and East Ham area. Its presiding deity is Murugan, the Tamil god of the hills and war, who is especially dear to Tamil communities in South India, Sri Lanka and the diaspora (London Sri Murugan Temple). The temple is a registered charity and is open to visitors of all faiths, and its annual chariot festival draws large crowds into the surrounding streets (Newham Recorder; Eastern Eye).
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12
The temple's own history says it was founded in 1975 with the aim of building a temple for Lord Murugan, and that it is a community and cultural centre as well as a place of worship, with a good working relationship with Newham Council (London Sri Murugan Temple).
Its best-known public event is the chariot festival, in which the deity is taken in procession through the neighbourhood. The temple says the festival draws about 10,000 visitors (London Sri Murugan Temple). Eastern Eye reported that the festival is held in the Tamil month of Adi and that more than 15,000 people took part in 2022, including local councillors and the area's MP (Eastern Eye).
Heritage
History of London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12
According to the temple, the first pooja meeting was held in April 1975 at Harrington Square, London, followed by monthly prayers in Russell Square on Sundays after Karthigai. In the late 1970s the gatherings moved to east London, and a permanent site was found at Browning Road, Manor Park; a small temple was first consecrated in February 1984 (London Sri Murugan Temple).
A larger temple was opened in 2005. The temple describes it as built mostly in granite, with a 50-foot rajagopuram (tower) in South Indian style (London Sri Murugan Temple). Hindu Press International, citing the BBC, reported that the new building welcomed its first devotees on 22 May 2005, that construction took almost five years, and that the funds were raised entirely from the worshippers, with granite and marble carved and imported from India (Hindu Press International).
The Newham Recorder reported on a march during a chariot festival in 2016, accompanied by Kerala-style chenda drummers from the Malayalee Association of the UK and open to non-Hindus (Newham Recorder). The temple's website says trustees plan better community facilities and a wedding venue in the temple grounds (London Sri Murugan Temple).
Architecture and sacred features
The temple follows South Indian (Dravidian) temple architecture. Its 50-foot gateway tower is carved with deities in tiers, and the temple states that its building is mostly granite (London Sri Murugan Temple).
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
The temple's website lists opening hours that vary by day, with morning and evening sessions, and pooja at morning, noon and evening, and notes that timings may vary on festival and special days (as listed by the temple, checked October 2026; confirm before visiting). The site asks visitors to follow the temple's dress code, shown there as an image.
The temple's 2026 calendar listed Navarathri-Vijayadhasami on 20 October 2026 and the chariot festival flag-hoisting (Kodiyettram) on 1 August 2026 with swami processions on 2 and 4 August (as listed by the temple, checked October 2026). Contact the temple through its website for bookings and current arrangements.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with London Sri Murugan Temple, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered charity number 1190790, formerly 271097, as stated by the temple) (official website) before travelling. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12
Chariot festival (Ther)
The temple's annual procession of Murugan through the streets; the temple lists the 2026 flag-hoisting on 1 August (checked October 2026), and Eastern Eye reports it falls in the Tamil month of Adi.
Navarathri and Vijayadhasami
Listed on the temple's 2026 calendar for 20 October 2026 (checked October 2026).
Location
How to Reach London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12
The temple's official address is 78-90 Church Road, London E12 6AF (London Sri Murugan Temple). It is in east London, in the borough of Newham; check Transport for London's journey planner for current bus and rail routes to Church Road, as the temple's website does not list a nearest station.
For international arrivals, London's airports are the usual gateways; confirm routes with a journey planner before travelling.
Location: London (Manor Park / East Ham), London Borough of Newham, England, United Kingdom
Nearest airport: London airports (not verified by the temple)
Nearest railway station: Not listed by the temple; use a journey planner
More in Hindu temples in England · Murugan (Kartikeya) with Valli and Devasena temples
Questions
London Sri Murugan Temple, Church Road, Manor Park E12: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the main deity at London Sri Murugan Temple?
Murugan (Kartikeya), shown with his consorts Valli and Devasena, according to the temple's own account.
Where is the temple?
On Church Road, London E12 6AF, in the borough of Newham, in the Manor Park and East Ham area of east London.
When was the temple founded?
The temple says the charity was established in 1975, a small temple was consecrated in February 1984 and the present larger building opened in 2005. Hindu Press International reported the opening as 22 May 2005.
When is the chariot festival?
It is held annually in summer; the Tamil month of Adi is cited by Eastern Eye. The temple's 2026 calendar listed 1 August for the flag-hoisting (checked October 2026). Confirm current dates with the temple.
Can non-Hindus attend the chariot festival?
The Newham Recorder reported that the 2016 procession was open to non-Hindus.
What are the temple's opening hours?
The temple lists morning and evening opening sessions that differ by weekday and weekend, and notes timings can vary on festival days. Check its website before visiting.
Sources and attribution
- London Sri Murugan Temple — History of the temple
- London Sri Murugan Temple — Home page: address, hours and events calendar
- Hindu Press International — New Hindu temple opens in London (2005, citing BBC)
- Newham Recorder — Hindus march through Manor Park in Keralan Chariot Festival
- Eastern Eye — More than 15,000 people attend London Sri Murugan Temple chariot festival
- Wikipedia — London Sri Murugan Temple (coordinates, sub-deities)
- Wikimedia Commons — File:London Sri Murugan Temple, Manor Park, E12.jpg
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