To celebrate the ground breaking ceremony of the new Haveli, the Hindu temple welcomed a special visitor.

Last month Hertsmere Borough Council's Planning Committee officially granted planning permission for a new development on the grounds of Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Aldenham.

On Friday June 10, Prime Minister David Cameron paid a visit to the Manor during the ground breaking ceremony.

Managing director of the Manor Gauri Das said: “This is a historic time for the Manor.

“The Haveli fulfils the needs of the Temple, respects the concerns of the local village and received full support from Hertsmere Borough Council.

“It is a profound honour that the Prime Minister has put the first spade in the ground.”

Srutidharma Das, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, thanked the Prime Minister and spoke on the importance of the Haveli and the need to ‘promote the spiritual values of tolerance, kindness.’

MP for Hertsmere Oliver Dowden welcomed the Prime Minister to the Manor.

He said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome him to Hertsmere for the first time as Prime Minister.

“He spent more than an hour with us, meeting local leaders but most importantly performing the ground breaking for Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Haveli.

“The construction of the Haveli marks the final phase of the Manor’s master plan and coincides with ISKCON’s 50th anniversary.

“Over the years the Hare Krishna temple has become central to the Hindu and our wider community.

“I was so pleased to be able to persuade the Prime Minister to come to this historic event.”