Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math

Hidden within the vibrant tapestry of London’s Green Street is the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math. This unassuming building holds a story richer than its simple facade suggests. Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math began its London journey in 1983. A group of devotees, inspired by the teachings of Srila B.R. Sridhar Maharaj, established the first branch here. Their initial home was a rented house in Blackheath, South London. The house belonged to a devotee of the mission, Dr. Vishnu Sharma, a London High Court Judge. The devotees longed for a permanent space, a desire echoed by Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He considered London his own place of service. He saw the establishment of the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math in London as a great service to his own Guru Maharaj. Dr. Sharma generously sold the Blackheath property to the devotees at a reduced rate. This marked the beginning of their mission in London. The devotees embarked on a period of intense fundraising and sacrifice to pay off the mortgage. They lived frugally, prioritizing the temple’s needs above their own. Married couples even lived on friends’ floors and slept in vans to save money for the Math. Their dedication and hard work laid the foundation for the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math we see today. The Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math thrives with a vibrant devotional community. It continues to serve as a beacon of spiritual life in London. The Math has even outgrown its current space on Green Street. They are looking for a larger location to better serve their growing community. This new center would continue their mission of propagating the teachings of Sri Chaitanyadev. It would honor the lineage of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati and Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj. The Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of its devotees, stands ready to embrace the future.