NEW DELHI, June 26 (ANI) — German Ambassador to India Philip Ackermann highlighted growing people-to-people ties between India and Germany, citing the newly opened Sri Ganesha Temple in Berlin’s Neukölln as a symbol of the vibrant Indian community in Germany.
Speaking to ANI, Ackermann said he recently visited the temple, which he described as the tallest Hindu temple in Europe.
“I just came back from Berlin, and I saw the new Hindu temple in Berlin, which is the tallest in Europe. I’m very proud to say that the gopuram is taller than any other Hindu temple. It’s very beautiful. It’s a sort of Tamil-style beautiful South Indian temple,” he said.
Ackermann said he met several members of the Indian community at the temple, many of whom had studied in Germany and later built successful careers.
“I spoke with many Indians who came to the temple to pray, and many of them had studied in Germany, and all of them got a good job afterwards,” he said.
The ambassador noted that around 60,000 Indian students are currently studying in Germany and said those who choose appropriate courses and universities have strong employment prospects.
“I think what I see is that the 60,000 students of Indian origin or from India in Germany, I think when they choose the right study, the right university, they run a fair chance to get a good job,” he said.
He also highlighted cooperation between India and Germany on skilled mobility and labour migration.
“We have had a very successful cooperation with the Indian government on mobility. We focus on skilled labour migration in a fair and legal way. We do that together with the centre and states of India. I think so far, we have seen a lot of very good results, mainly in the areas of nursing and caregiving, but also in other areas like apprenticeships and engineering,” he said.
The Sri Ganesha Temple in Berlin’s Neukölln, located near Hasenheide Park, was officially opened on June 8 after several days of festivities. The temple features a 17-metre-high tower and has been described as one of the largest Hindu temples in Europe.
The temple was developed over nearly two decades, funded entirely through donations and community service, and is run by volunteer board members and priests.
It is open daily to visitors and devotees from all backgrounds, hosting regular morning and evening prayers.
Construction of the temple began in 2005, with major structural work on the gopuram completed in 2015 using black granite from Tamil Nadu carved by Indian artisans. The temple was consecrated on June 7, 2026, followed by its formal opening celebrations.
According to reports, the temple now serves as a major cultural and religious hub for Berlin’s Indian diaspora and wider multicultural community. (ANI)
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