Royal Holloway’s First Dharmic Prayer Room

Royal Holloway now has its first Dharmic Prayer Room, marking the second of its kind in the entire UK. Situated in Founder's Building, room FE-114, the prayer room is now accessible to all students and staff. Its establishment holds particular significance for individuals of dharmic faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, who now have a dedicated space for prayer at Royal Holloway. Moreover, the wider student community can utilise this space for meditation.

The first step in realising the Dharmic Prayer Room project involved submitting a funding application through the Student Opportunities Fund, a resource allowing students to seek financial support for projects, social enterprises, or activities enhancing the student experience, generously funded by Royal Holloway alumni. My application aligned with several categories, such as impact and engagement, student experience, and people and culture. It provided a comprehensive rationale for the necessity of a Dharmic Prayer Room on campus, detailing the required items to create the space. Reverend Orion Edgar, the Anglican Chaplain, supported my application, as well as the Hindu and Sikh society. In April, I received the gratifying news of the approval of my funding application. The making of this prayer room was possible due to the generosity of alumni who donated to the fund, and so I extend my gratitude to them.

Beginning in April, I worked with Strategic Space Business Partner Mark Nettleton, who diligently worked for months to secure a suitable space. After a final meeting with Helen Groenendaal (Head of Student Advisory and Wellbeing) and Reverend Orion Edgar in August, the room in Founder's was identified. From that point onward, I focused on setting up the space, and with the assistance of family and friends, the prayer room was successfully established. I would like to thank the following individuals who contributed to the creation of the prayer room: Ritu Singh, Bhagat Singh, Aditi Bhargava, Bhumika Yadav, Manan Bhayani, Gotam Sawlani and Purva Soni.

In collaboration with the Hindu Society, the prayer room was officially inaugurated with an aarti on Thursday 9 November.

Law student, Hrithik Dattani, expresses his views on the new prayer room and the community spirit it promotes:

“The Dharmic Prayer Room stands as a commendable initiative by Olivia, offering Hindus a dedicated space for worship on the campus and fostering connections with like-minded individuals. What sets this space apart is its inclusive nature, welcoming everyone irrespective of their religion or race, provided they adhere to the established rules. This inclusive environment not only promotes diversity but also creates an atmosphere where people can coexist harmoniously. Furthermore, the provision of a designated space for the Hindu society to conduct their weekly aartis adds a sense of permanence and community, transforming the prayer room into a spiritual haven reminiscent of a mandir.”

Psychology student, Kezia Dhawan, shares how she finds peace in the Prayer Room and has connected with others in the community:

“During my visit, I’ve found profound peace in the prayer room and have had the opportunity to connect with others in the community. My reflection of the prayer room was that it is welcoming to everyone, offering a space for learning, reflection, and spiritual growth and it is immaculately maintained, with utmost care given to cleanliness and order, ensuring a pure and undisturbed environment for worship. The serene ambience, adorned with vibrant flowers and traditional Hindu symbols and idols, instantly brings a sense of calm and spirituality, making it an ideal space for prayer and meditation.”

I hope that the Dharmic Prayer Room at Royal Holloway will inspire students of dharmic faiths across the UK to create their own space to foster inclusivity and represent their own culture. Students from other faiths will then also have the opportunity to engage with and appreciate dharmic culture on campus. This marks a significant achievement for the Royal Holloway community, and I am pleased to have established this prayer room for everyone.