THE committee managing Swindon’s Hindu temple explained how they hosted religious events while staying within Covid safety guidelines.

Pradeep Bhardwaj, Sunny Patel and Sudhe Sri have maintained the Hindu hub in Cheney Manor throughout the last year, regularly inspecting the premises and ensuring the statues of deities specially shipped over from India remained pristine.

They worked within the government’s exemption for places of worship and held Saturday services for 20 people in-between the second and third lockdowns, but the building has stayed closed for most of the pandemic.

Diwali became a virtual event for the first time, with dignitaries attending over Zoom, and post-pandemic ceremonies could involve a hybrid of virtual and in-person attendance.

The team used the facility for four blood donation drives in the last 12 months. then marked Holi Kandahar in March outdoors in the temple’s large car park, which can fit 1,000 people.

A staggered entry system allowed a limit of 50 pre-registered guests with negative Covid tests to attend while wearing masks and staying in small household bubbles three metres apart.

No mingling was allowed and everyone left as soon as the ceremonial bonfire-lighting at sunset – signifying the victory of good over evil – took place.

Pradeep said: “We wanted to go above and beyond to ensure this went ahead safely, it’s a very fine balance. 

"We are blessed to have so much available space on our grounds.

“A lot of people wanted to attend but we stopped them. Each bubble had their own area, there was no mingling.

“The government did the right thing in allowing this exemption because places of worship play an important role in people’s mental health and wellbeing, whether they’re churches, mosques or temples, because they’re good social and cultural meeting places as well as religious ones.”

Pradeep made a video which advised people to take the coronavirus vaccine which has been used by the CCG, reminding people that it is safe and can be taken even if fasting for religious reasons.

He added: “We want to encourage more people, especially from the BAME community, to take the vaccine because there is still a lot of reluctance. 

"It’s the biggest weapon we have against Covid and it’s the only way out of this crisis.

“The pandemic brought a lot of suffering but human beings can adapt and cope with this crisis and find a way to fight it and look forward to the future.”
They hope to organise a party in the summer when guidelines are relaxed further to thank everyone who has supported them.

Government guidelines state: “Communal worship or prayer can be attended by as many people as the place of worship can safely accommodate, in a way which complies with Covid-19 secure guidance and the law. 

“When a service is taking place outdoors, you must not mingle in groups larger than six, except for groups from up to two households.

“You should maintain strict social distancing from other groups and households at all times.”

Sunny runs the Patriots Arms in Chiseldon and delivered free meals around the area for the elderly and vulnerable, key workers, emergency service staff and homeless shelters, as well as grocery and prescription collections.

He said: “We wanted to help people in the community and check up on those who could not leave the house to see how they were doing.

“The pandemic has shown how strong this community can be, everyone looks out for each other.”