The Radha Krisha temple on Cromford street in Spinney Hills, Leicester was the first Hindu temple to be established in the city.

On July, 20 this year, the community came together to mark the 50th anniversary of the temple in a day of prayers, speeches and religious and spiritual songs.

In July of 1969 the opening of the temple was reported on by the Leicester Mercury.

50 years on, LeicestershireLive learned about the temple's history and heritage.

The Leicester Mercury's coverage of the opening of the city's first ever Hindu temple in 1969.

In 1968 Shyama Devi, also known as Shyama Mataji, a revered religious and spiritual teacher from India visited Leicester and recognised the need for a temple in the area, where a lot of the new Indian community had settled.

Under her leadership the local community raised funds towards the opening of a new temple which would replace a Co-op store that had been put up for sale.

The name of the temple comes from the Hindu god Krishna and the milkmaid, Radha who he was said to be in love with in Hindu mythology.

The installation of the sculptures of Hindu deities in the temple was a celebrated occasion.

A planning application was granted by Leicester City Council in 1969 to temporarily change the property from a shop into a temple, until continued use was granted two years later.

The property included a small terraced house where Shyama Devi resided, and the shop next door.

Councillor Rashmikant Joshi, who represents the North Evington ward in Leicester, has had a longstanding connection to the Radha Krishna Temple.

At 16, Joshi arrived in the UK and by 18 he was the youngest treasurer and committee of the temple.

The Radha Krishna Temple used to be a Co-op and tiny terraced house which still barely holds 100 people today.

He said the temple had a big impact on his life when he had first moved from Tanzania with his mother and sisters.

“We were practically homeless when we moved here. The members of the temple were so caring and helpful,” he said.

The temple became a safe space for many of the newcomers to England upon arriving from India and Africa.

Trustee, Chandulal Tank manages the daily running of the temple on Cromford Street.

Chandulal Tank is currently a trustee of the temple after becoming part of it in 1989.

Before becoming the manager of the daily running of the temple, he was a builder and played a big part in extending the property.

He spoke fondly Shyama Devi, whose pictures are displayed throughout the temple and paid respects to by all worshippers.

“She stayed here in the temple when it was just a tiny house and the temple was so small,” he said.

Pictures of Shyama Devi around the temple are decorated with flower garlands.

During their early days, the committee of the Cromford Street temple built a close relationship with the members of the nearby Christian community.

The Wesley Hall Methodist Church in Mere Road became a space that the Hindu communities could use for their larger celebrations, as the temple they had acquired barely fit in 100 people.

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Exchange visits were made between the temple and the church which built a respect between the two communities. The church hall is still used by the community.

Throughout the eighties, the temple fell into disputes over committees and leadership which eventually culminated in the opening of the Shree Hindu Temple in St Barnabas Road, North Evington.

Despite the conflict, the temple continues to be recognised a pillar of the Hindu community in Leicester.