# Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Leicester - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, 193 Harrison Road Leicester — the first purpose-built gurdwara in Leicester, est. 1991. Free entry, daily langar, community services. # Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, located at 193 Harrison Road in the Belgrave area of Leicester, United Kingdom, is a landmark place of worship and community centre dedicated to the veneration of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji, the revered fifteenth-century mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement. Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity No. 1081483), the temple holds the distinction of being the first purpose-built gurdwara in the city of Leicester, a milestone reflecting the spiritual maturity and growing organisational strength of the Ravidassia and wider Sikh community in the East Midlands. Situated in the heart of Belgrave, a district that has been home to one of the most vibrant South Asian communities in Britain since the 1960s and 1970s, the temple stands as both a spiritual sanctuary and a beacon of social service. Its striking golden lotus-shaped domes are visible from the surrounding streets, marking it as a distinctive feature on the Leicester skyline. The building houses a grand Darbar Hall on the upper floor and a langar hall, kitchen, and lobby on the ground floor, enabling the congregation to fulfil the Sikh tradition of seva (selfless service) through the provision of free communal meals. The temple serves a broad and diverse community. Its primary congregation comprises members of the Ravidassia community and Sikhs from the Chamar tradition, though all are welcome regardless of background, caste, or creed, in keeping with the universalist teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji. Leicester itself is home to one of the largest Sikh diaspora populations in the United Kingdom, and the temple plays a central role in anchoring the community's spiritual and cultural life. Visitors come not only from across the Midlands but from across the country to attend major religious observances. Beyond worship, the temple operates as a community centre offering vital social services. It runs a day centre for elderly members, hosts visits from schools and educational institutions seeking to learn about Sikh faith and culture, and provides facilities for disabled visitors. The temple is registered with the marriage register, permitting the solemnisation of religious marriages in its worship hall. With nine volunteers supporting its operations alongside a board of four trustees, the institution embodies the spirit of community selflessness that underpins Sikh philosophy. The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple stands as a testament to the resilience and devotion of Leicester's Ravidassia community, who, through collective effort and dedication, created a permanent spiritual home that now serves thousands of worshippers each year. Its dual role as a place of prayer and a hub of social welfare makes it one of the most important gurdwaras in the East Midlands. ## Significance The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple draws its profound spiritual significance from its dedication to Sant Guru Ravidass Ji (c. 1433–1520 CE), one of the most revered figures in the Bhakti devotional movement and an honoured Bhagat (saint) within the Sikh tradition. Born near Varanasi into the Chamar community — historically a marginalised caste associated with leatherwork — Guru Ravidass transcended the social hierarchies of his time through his teachings of nirguna bhakti, devotion to a formless and universal God, and his fierce rejection of caste discrimination and religious ritual divorced from inner spirituality. Forty-one of Guru Ravidass Ji's compositions (bani) are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living scripture of the Sikhs, compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604. This inclusion places Guru Ravidass in the highest rank of spiritual authorities recognised within Sikhism, and it is believed that he met Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, during his lifetime. His celebrated vision of Begumpura — a 'city without sorrow' where all are equal and free — remains one of the most radical and enduring expressions of egalitarianism in South Asian religious history. For the Ravidassia community in Leicester and across the UK, the temple is far more than a place of prayer. It is a cultural anchor, a space where community identity is nurtured, where the teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji are transmitted to younger generations, and where the values of equality and selfless service are practised daily through the langar and community outreach. The temple's pilgrimage-like significance among the diaspora makes it a vital spiritual destination within the UK. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Shri Guru Dashmesh Sahib Gurudwara Leicester, United Kingdom 379 m away Shri Guru Dashmesh Sahib Gurudwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Shri Guru Dashmesh Sahib Gurudwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara ਗੁਰੂ ਤੇਗ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ Leicester, United Kingdom 2.1 km away Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Guru Nanak Gurdwara Leicester, United Kingdom 2.7 km away Guru Nanak Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Guru Nanak Gurdwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Guru Amar Das Gurdwara Leicester, United Kingdom 4.2 km away Guru Amar Das Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Leicester, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Guru Amar Das Gurdwara welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ## Detailed History The story of the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple on Harrison Road, Leicester, is inseparable from the broader history of South Asian migration to Britain and the community's determined efforts to establish a permanent spiritual home. The first waves of Sikh and South Asian migrants began arriving in Leicester in the years following the Second World War, initially settling in modest numbers. The pace of migration increased dramatically during the 1960s and early 1970s, when Africanisation programmes in Kenya and Uganda prompted thousands of East African Asians to seek a new life in Britain. In 1972, following Idi Amin's expulsion of approximately 30,000 Ugandan Asians, some 6,000 settled in Leicester, many choosing the Belgrave area which offered affordable Victorian terraced housing and an existing South Asian community. As the community grew, so did the need for formal places of worship that reflected its specific religious traditions. Members of the Ravidassia community, who revere Sant Guru Ravidass Ji as their supreme spiritual guide, had been gathering in private homes and rented community halls for worship since the 1960s and 1970s. Over the decades, funds were raised through communal effort, donations, and voluntary contributions, with the shared goal of constructing a dedicated, purpose-built temple that would serve generations to come. In 1991, that goal was realised when the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple opened its doors at 193 Harrison Road, Belgrave, becoming the first purpose-built gurdwara in the City of Leicester. The construction of this temple was a landmark moment not just for the Ravidassia community but for the entire Sikh community of Leicester, demonstrating the community's cohesion, faith, and commitment to permanence in their adopted city. Following its establishment, the temple was formally incorporated as a registered charity — Shri Guru Ravidass Temple and Community Centre, Charity No. 1081483 — ensuring transparency and accountability in its governance. Over the following decades the temple expanded its activities beyond worship to include social services such as a day centre for the elderly, educational programmes, and facilities for the disabled. The temple continues to be governed by a voluntary board of trustees, maintaining its founding ethos of service to the community. Today it stands as one of the most significant Ravidassia gurdwaras in the East Midlands, drawing worshippers and visitors from across the United Kingdom. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Hall prayer_hall The principal prayer hall located on the upper floor of the temple. The Guru Granth Sahib is installed here on a raised palki (palanquin) beneath a canopy. Worshippers sit on carpeted floors in a spirit of equality. Kirtan and daily prayers are performed in this hall. ### Langar Hall langar_hall Located on the ground floor, the langar hall is where the free communal meal (langar) is served to all visitors following prayers. It accommodates the congregation and reflects the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service. ### Temple Kitchen (Langar Kitchen) langar_hall An operational kitchen on the ground floor where volunteer sewadars prepare the langar. The kitchen is the heart of the temple's community service activity, functioning daily and especially intensively during festival periods. ### Entrance Lobby and Shoe Room entrance The ground floor entrance lobby, where visitors remove their shoes (a requirement before entering any gurdwara) and cover their heads. Head coverings are available for those who do not bring their own. ### Golden Lotus Domes tower The temple's most distinctive architectural feature: multiple lotus-shaped domes finished in gold paint adorning the roofline. These domes are a visual symbol of the temple's Sikh-Ravidassia identity and make the building immediately recognisable within the Belgrave neighbourhood. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering is required (coverings available at entrance); shoes must be removed before entering; modest, respectful clothing is expected ### Photography Respectful photography may be permitted in common areas; seek permission before photographing the Darbar Hall or the Guru Granth Sahib ### Etiquette Bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib upon entering the Darbar Hall; sit on the floor in the congregation area; do not turn your back to the scripture; refrain from consuming alcohol or tobacco on the premises; all are welcome regardless of background ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall can accommodate a substantial congregation; during major festivals hundreds of worshippers are served Seating Capacity ## Architecture The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple on Harrison Road is a purpose-built structure completed in 1991, representing a considered architectural expression of the Ravidassia faith tradition within a British urban context. The building's most distinctive external feature is its array of lotus-shaped domes finished in gold paint, which immediately identify it as a place of worship and give it a luminous presence among the surrounding Victorian terraces of the Belgrave district. The building is organised across two principal levels. The ground floor accommodates the langar hall, a fully equipped kitchen for the preparation of free communal meals, and an entrance lobby welcoming worshippers and visitors. The upper floor houses the Darbar Hall — the principal prayer hall — where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and daily prayers (nitnem) and kirtan (devotional singing) are performed in its presence. The interior of the Darbar Hall is laid out in the traditional gurdwara format, with the holy scripture installed on a raised palki (palanquin) at the focal point of the room, draped in embroidered romalas (cloths). The congregation sits on the carpeted floor in a spirit of equality. The temple is accessible to disabled visitors and provides segregated facilities. Overall the building reflects a functional yet spiritually meaningful design that serves the needs of a busy urban community congregation. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Hall prayer_hall The principal prayer hall located on the upper floor of the temple. The Guru Granth Sahib is installed here on a raised palki (palanquin) beneath a canopy. Worshippers sit on carpeted floors in a spirit of equality. Kirtan and daily prayers are performed in this hall. ### Langar Hall langar_hall Located on the ground floor, the langar hall is where the free communal meal (langar) is served to all visitors following prayers. It accommodates the congregation and reflects the Sikh principle of equality and selfless service. ### Temple Kitchen (Langar Kitchen) langar_hall An operational kitchen on the ground floor where volunteer sewadars prepare the langar. The kitchen is the heart of the temple's community service activity, functioning daily and especially intensively during festival periods. ### Entrance Lobby and Shoe Room entrance The ground floor entrance lobby, where visitors remove their shoes (a requirement before entering any gurdwara) and cover their heads. Head coverings are available for those who do not bring their own. ### Golden Lotus Domes tower The temple's most distinctive architectural feature: multiple lotus-shaped domes finished in gold paint adorning the roofline. These domes are a visual symbol of the temple's Sikh-Ravidassia identity and make the building immediately recognisable within the Belgrave neighbourhood. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Ravidass Jayanti The most significant annual celebration at the temple, marking the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji on the full moon (Purnima) of the lunar month of Magha (January/February). The day features a Nagar Kirtan procession, extended kirtan, discourses on the teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji, and large-scale langar. Thousands of devotees attend from across the UK. #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab Celebrated on the full moon of the month of Kartik (October/November), this occasion marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The temple holds Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), kirtan, and langar over the Gurpurab period. ### festival #### Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Celebrated annually around 13–14 April, Baisakhi commemorates the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699 and marks the Sikh New Year. The temple observes the occasion with special prayers, kirtan, and langar. Leicester's wider Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan parade, one of the largest in the UK, takes place around this time. #### Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas The festival of lights is celebrated alongside Bandi Chhor Divas, which commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 kings from imprisonment. The temple is decorated with lights, special prayers are offered, and langar is served to the community. ### weekly #### Weekly Diwan (Sunday Service) A regular Sunday congregation gathering (Diwan) is held each week, featuring kirtan (devotional hymns), katha (spiritual discourse), ardas (prayer), and langar. This is a central weekly event for the local Ravidassia community and regular worshippers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The temple is open daily for worship. Morning and evening prayers are held regularly, and langar (free communal food) is served after services. For precise current timings, it is recommended to contact the temple directly on 0116 268 1410, as schedules may vary on festival days and special occasions. Yes, entry is completely free. In keeping with the universal Sikh tradition, the doors of the gurdwara are open to all, regardless of faith, background, or caste. The langar (communal meal) is also offered free of charge to all visitors. The most important festival is Guru Ravidass Jayanti, celebrated on the full moon of the month of Magha (January/February), which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidass Ji. Other major observances include Baisakhi (April), Guru Nanak Gurpurab (November), and Diwali/Bandi Chhor Divas (October/November), all of which are marked with special prayers, kirtan, and langar. Yes. Beyond worship, the temple operates a day centre for elderly community members, welcomes visits from schools and educational groups, and provides facilities for disabled visitors. It is also registered to conduct religious marriages in its Darbar Hall. Volunteers are welcome to assist with langar and general seva (selfless service). ### history The Shri Guru Ravidass Temple on Harrison Road was established in 1991, making it the first purpose-built gurdwara in the City of Leicester. It was founded by the local Ravidassia community in the Belgrave area, a neighbourhood that saw large-scale South Asian settlement from the 1960s onwards, particularly following the arrival of Ugandan Asians in 1972. The temple is registered as a charity (No. 1081483) and serves as a place of worship and community centre. Guru Ravidass Ji (c. 1433–1520 CE) was a revered mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti movement, born near Varanasi, India. He taught universal equality, devotion to a formless God, and the rejection of caste discrimination. Forty-one of his compositions are enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs. He is considered the central figure of the Ravidassia faith and is deeply venerated by millions worldwide. ### transport The temple is located at 193 Harrison Road, Belgrave, Leicester, LE4 6QN. By rail, Leicester Railway Station is approximately 3 km away. By road, exit the M1 at Junction 21 or 21a and follow signs to Leicester city centre, then proceed along the A607 Belgrave Road. Local buses from the city centre serve the Belgrave area. Taxis are also readily available from the city centre (approximately 10 minutes). Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Shri Guru Ravidass Temple Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit