Hundreds of pleas from concerned Hindus recently flooded the inbox of the municipality of Beverwijk. The action came from Karla Kandi, one of the believers who is very concerned about the future of the Shiva temple on Elbe Street. The temple’s lease expires in May 2026, but so far no new location has been found.
“We still don’t have a new place,” Kandi says worriedly. “Time is running out.”
Looking for a needle in a haystack
For twelve years, the temple has been an oasis of peace in a hasty world for many Hindus. Believers come there to pray, to sacrifice and to come to themselves. For the community, the building has become sacred ground – a place where their gods are connected to the universe. Moreover, it is the only Shiva temple within a radius of one hundred kilometers.
Lately, the temple has been a cause of major concern. Finding a new location is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The community had hoped to purchase the current property, but the municipality has decided to build homes on the site.