The five-day opening ceremony of the largest Hindu Temple in UK took place from the 23rd August 2006. More than 10,000 devotees visited the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) temple in Tividale (near Birmingham, West Midlands) in the opening week alone.

It is designed as a replica of the famous Tirupati-Tirumala temple in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, one of the most revered Hindu shrines in the world. The idea of creating a replica of the Tirupati-Tirumala temple was first conceived over 30 years ago, in 1974, by a small group of Hindus in Birmingham. With steel determination the group overcame many hurdles, including financial problems verging on bankruptcy and stiff local opposition.

They spent more than two decades trying to obtain funding and finding a suitable site for the replica. Eventually, in 1987, the then Black Country Development Corporation gave them the 13-acre site in Dudley Road East in Tividale, which had formerly been a tip.

"It came from small beginnings and it is wonderful seeing it being celebrated. It is a dream come true for all of us," said Dr K Somasundara Rajah, one of the founders, Dr K Somasundara Rajah.

In the building of the temple, many artisans and sculptors from India were employed to produce beautiful carvings on the roof, pillars and ceiling, thus helping give the authentic look of a great South Indian temple.

The opening ceremony consisted of installing a 12ft deity of Lord Krishna or Lord Balaji. Priests arrived from India, to perform rituals, during the five-day festival.

An active schedule of activities is planned for the temple. As well as daily worships (Puja) and festival celebrations, the temple is to be used for cultural programs, children's education activities, youth activities and humanitarian projects.