The Skanda Vale temple in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Skandavale in Carmarthenshire, Wales

We were looking out for places to visit in Wales and found Skanda Vale as an interesting option. A four-hour drive from Reading, Berkshire travelling through the countryside for the major part brought us to Llanpumsaint in the Carmarthenshire county of Wales. The path leading to the Skanda Vale temple is narrow and just enough for one vehicle to pass at a time - a very scenic path though.

The Skanda Vale temple is also known as the "The Community of the Many Names of God" and has temples dedicated to Murugan, Ranganatha and Maha Shakti.

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The temple was established in Wales way back in 1973. Set in 115 acres of the hilly site, the temple estate has farmlands and even a small block of woodland.

There is a Ganesh temple at the entrance of the temple.

We were just in time for the 9:30 am pooja at the Ranganatha temple. The pooja was conducted by priests who chanted all the stothras and mantras very melodiously.

The Sri Ranaganatha Temple is open all day. The Murugan Temple and the Shakti Temple are only open during pooja times.

Daily Pooja Timings at the Skanda Vale temple

5.00 am Murugan Temple
6.30 am Maha Shakti Temple
9.30 am Ranganatha Temple
1.30 pm lunchtime Offering Murugan Temple
6.00 pm Maha Shakti Temple
9.00 pm Murugan Temple (except after Maha Shakti Full Moon Pooja)

In 1981 when the then President of Sri Lanka visited this temple, he presented it with a baby elephant. The elephant named Valli still lives in the temple premises. There are many other animals cared for in the temple premises.

Address:
The Community of the Many Names of God
Skanda Vale, Llanpumsaint
Carmarthen SA33 6JT
Wales - United Kingdom

Tel: 01559 384 421
Fax: 01559 384 999

• The Sri Ranganatha Temple is open 24 hours a day for prayer and contemplation. However, the daily pooja at this temple is held at 9:30 in the morning only.
• The Maha Shakti Temple is open for pooja daily at 6:30am and 6:00pm. The temple is closed at all other times of the day.
• The Murugan Temple is open for pooja daily at 5:00am, 1:30pm, and 9:00pm and at all other times of the day it is closed.

Where to stay while visiting Skanda Vale?

There are a number of hotels (in different price ranges) within a short drive of Skanda Vale.
User the map below to check the hotels, compare prices and make your booking.

Booking.com

Some useful tips/guidelines while visiting the Skanda Vale temple

• Because of its remote, countryside location, it is advisable to dress for variable weather when visiting the temple. Carry warm clothing, a jacket (ideally waterproof) and wear sensible shoes or walking boots.
• The roads leading to the temple are narrow country lanes. There are a number of passing places on the route and you must be prepared to reverse into these as the situation demands.
• Do not leave litter behind. Carry all rubbish back with you.
• There is a facility to stay overnight in the Skanda Vale premises. You can contact the temple office in advance to check availability or booking.

Looking to listen to some devotional music on your journey to Skanda Vale? Grab a copy of Vishnu Sahasranamam by Bombay Saradha.

 

Related | If you are travelling to Birmingham, do not miss visiting the Balaji Temple in Tividale. 

Related reading: The Jain Temples of Palitana (in Gujarat)