skandavel temple wales

Taken from Skandavel or skanda Vale is a beautiful Hindu temple /Monastery in Llanpumsaint community, Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales dedicated to Lord Subramanya ( also known as Skanda, Karttikeya, and Muruga). A beautiful countryside pilgrimage centre with accommodation facilities. It started in 1973. Unlike many other temples I visited India and in U.K this one is unique with that calm and peaceful atmosphere of an ashram. If you are visiting the place keep that in mind. All worship, meals and accommodation at Skanda Vale are offered free of charge.Some information I felt useful for the pilgrims.There is three major temples there with regular pooja"s, that is every single day of the year.Murugan Temple – 05:00, 13:30, 21:00.Maha Shakti Temple – 06:30, 18:00.Sri Ranganatha Temple – 09:30 ( this information need to be crossed checked with Temple website). The Murugan Temple and Maha Shakti Temple are closed to the public outside these times so if you are planing to visit the temple try to arrange the trip accordingly. The Sri Ranganatha Temple is open 24 hours a day. Oh yes there is a lovely elephant there. Cute and naughty one.
Since it is a remote area, i thought I will give you a bit more information about the travel route: The GPS systems and Tom toms can sometimes fool you. It happens to us and many of our friends during their skandavale journey. So this is the direction for car (or mini bus- not for anything larger than this).1.Coming from London side took M4 (around 4 hours it take) to the end of the motorway you can see the Pont Abraham Service Area. 2. At this roundabout take the second exit to the A48 (signposted Carmarthen).3.Continue on the A48 to Carmarthen.4. End of A48 dual carriageway, take the third exit onto the A40 Carmarthen eastern bypass. (signposted Town Centre / Llandeilo).
5.Go straight ahead at the next roundabout, continuing on the dual carriageway.6. At the next roundabout take the first exit to A485 (signposted Lampeter).7. At the next roundabout take the second exit onto the A485( signposted Lampeter)8. Continue on the A485 for 5 miles. (you will pass Peniel, Rhydargaeau and Pontarsais)9. Turn first left after the ‘Stag and Pheasant’ pub (signposted Skanda Vale / Llanpumsaint)10. Follow this single track road for about 2 miles.11. At the next junction,turn right and follow the sign for Skanda Vale over a small bridge.12. Continue for another 2 miles until the end of the road where you will see the sign Skanda Vale’. P.S : If you need this for further reference you can add yourself as a person to this photo.
PURPOSE OF THIS POST: FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I FELT MANY PEOPLE IN UK ARE NOT AWARE ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE SO I THOUGHT it is my duty to to spread the word. Please keep in mind photography is not permitted there, and as mentioned earlier there is three temples and I didn"t click from those two temples.This is the third temple which is some what an open area and there was no signs prohibiting photography there at the time I visited. So I thought I will keep this for sharing information. Hope you understood my intention behind this post.