Is there a Hindu temple in Gibraltar, and can visitors go in?

Short answer

Yes. The Gibraltar Hindu Temple on Engineer Lane, inaugurated in 2000, serves a community of around 600 people, most descended from Sindhi merchant families. It is open on request, so contact the temple before visiting.

Detailed answer

The temple

The Gibraltar Hindu Temple is on Engineer Lane, close to Main Street and a short walk from the Great Synagogue. It was formally inaugurated in 2000 and is the only Hindu temple in Gibraltar. Its shrines include Rama with Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, and Jhulelal, a deity especially associated with Sindh.

The community

The first Hindu merchants are thought to have arrived around 1870, after the opening of the Suez Canal, from the area around Hyderabad in Sindh, now in Pakistan. More families followed during the 20th century, and the community became closely associated with Main Street retail. Many families speak Sindhi and pray in Sanskrit.

The 2012 census recorded 628 Hindus, about 2% of the population, and Visit Gibraltar puts the community served by the temple at about 600. The Hindu Community of Gibraltar promotes Hindu culture and helps members with consular and visa matters through the Indian High Commission.

Visiting

Visit Gibraltar lists the temple as open on request. To arrange a visit, call +350 200 42515 or email [email protected]. As at any Hindu temple, dress modestly and expect to remove your shoes before entering.

Diwali

Diwali is the community's main festival, centred on the temple. In recent years more than 300 people have attended prayers there, followed by a shared vegetarian meal, and the Moorish Castle has been lit up to mark the occasion.