Imagine a place where you can celebrate your culture, connect with your roots, and find spiritual solace. That's exactly what a group of Indian-origin Hindu families in Northstowe, Cambridgeshire, are striving for.

They've been living in this new town without a Hindu temple for 40 miles. That means they have to celebrate festivals in each other's gardens or hire private spaces, which often don't allow Hindu rituals. This has left generations growing up without a place to worship, and many elderly people have expressed a wish to see a temple built before they pass away.

The plot of land in question is owned by the developer and will be given to the council, who will grant a 999-year lease to one faith community group. There are two bids: one from the Hindu community and another from a Christian-Muslim group. The Hindu group wants to build an interfaith community and wellbeing hub that includes two prayer rooms for all faiths, a kitchen, café, and spaces for classes like coding and yoga.

The Christian-Muslim group proposes a church, a hall for Muslim prayers, an Islamic prayer room, and community spaces. But the Hindu group is concerned that their proposal wasn't accurately represented in the council's assessment summary.

Aparna Nigam-Saxena, project lead for the Hindu Samaj Northstowe, says that the council's criticism of their proposal is unfair. They're a new organization, and it's impossible for them to establish a financial track record. The council also criticized them for not engaging with the broader community, but Nigam-Saxena says they've been working hard to build relationships.

The council will make a decision in June, and the public consultation has just concluded. But for the Hindu community, this is more than just a piece of land - it's a chance to create a spiritual home where they can connect with their culture and roots.

Revd Beth Cope, pioneer minister for the Christian-Muslim group, says that Hindus would be welcome to use their multipurpose spaces for worship. But the Hindu community is determined to have their own place of worship, and they're hoping the council will choose their proposal.

This isn't just about building a temple - it's about creating a sense of community and belonging. The Hindu community is passionate about their proposal, and they're hoping that the council will share their vision.