2nd largest outside London in Glasgow

Glasgow will get the second largest gurudwara outside London to be made at an estimated cost of #10 million.

First it was Southall in London, now it will be Glasgow. The largest gurudwara outside India, the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara, was inaugurated earlier this year in London. Now, the second largest gurudwara outside London is to be built in Glasgow.

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At an estimated cost of £10 million the gurudwara will be made of polished white limestone. The three-storied domed structure will accomodate up to 1,400 worshippers. It is expected to become one of Glasgow's largest public buildings.

The main prayer hall will accomodate about 1,000 people which will be supplemented by another prayer hall which will hold another 437. The building will also have a parking facility for 257 cars. The gurudwara's two domes, which will be segmented and not circular, will be made of glass-reinforced plastic. The building will be equipped with classrooms, a library, offices, and a ceremonial pool.

The entire cost of erecting the magnificent structure will be collected through donations and is being built by the Central Gurudwara Singh Sabha. Its secretary Parminder Singh Purba said that though the entire money is yet to be raised "we are working on it. God will help us. There are around 10,000 Sikhs in Scotland, most of them in Glasgow, and the new gurudwara will be a community centre and educational resource, and of course, a place of worship."

A report by the planners said: "Without doubt, the proposed building would dominate the street scene. However, this is a large Sikh temple and it is to be expected that such a building will be dominant.