18 bodies recovered in Bangladesh ferry disaster

Highlights

• ISKCON London acquires 7 Bury Place, its first UK temple site opened in 1969, for £1.6 million at auction.
• Five-storey building near British Museum co-signed by Beatle George Harrison who helped fund original lease.
• Site to be transformed into pilgrimage centre commemorating ISKCON's pioneering work in the UK.

The 221 square metre freehold five-storey building near the British Museum, currently let to a dental practice, offices and a therapist, was purchased using ISKCON funds and supporter donations. The organisation had been searching for properties during its expansion when the historically significant site became available.

The building holds deep spiritual importance as ISKCON's UK birthplace. In 1968, founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada sent three American couples to establish a base in England. The six devotees initially struggled in London's cold, using a Covent Garden warehouse as a temporary temple.