German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has highlighted the growing people-to-people ties between India and Germany while speaking about the newly opened Sri Ganesha Temple in Berlin's Neukölln. The temple opened on June 8 after more than two decades of construction. It stands on the edge of Hasenheide Park and features a 17-metre-high tower. The temple has become an important symbol of the Indian community living in Germany.

Speaking to ANI, Ackermann shared his experience of visiting the temple during his recent trip to Berlin. He described it as the tallest Hindu temple in Europe and praised its architecture. He said, "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."

The ambassador also met several members of the Indian community during his visit. Many of them had travelled to Germany for higher education and later secured good jobs. He appreciated their success and the opportunities available for Indian students in Germany. He said, "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."

Ackermann also spoke about the increasing number of Indian students choosing Germany for higher studies. Nearly 60,000 Indian students are currently studying in the country. He said students who choose the right course and university have strong chances of finding employment after completing their education. He said, "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."

The ambassador further highlighted the successful cooperation between India and Germany in skilled labour mobility. He said both governments have worked together to support fair and legal migration for skilled professionals. This partnership has produced positive results in sectors such as nursing, caregiving, engineering, and apprenticeships. He said, "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."

The Sri Ganesha Temple officially opened on June 8 after a five-day celebration held from June 3 to June 7. The temple is located at Hasenheide 106 in Berlin's Neukölln district. One of the key moments of the inauguration took place on June 7, when water from the Ganges and water from Berlin were poured onto the temple's 17-metre vimana with the help of a crane. The ceremony marked the completion of one of Europe's largest Hindu temples.

The temple's journey began on September 24, 2005. It took 21 years to complete the project. Donations and voluntary service funded the entire construction. On June 7, 2026, the temple was consecrated. A day later, it officially opened to the public. It also received recognition as a registered non-profit organisation from the Finanzamt für Körperschaften. The temple is managed by ten volunteer board members and three priests.

The temple welcomes followers of all Hindu traditions, including Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta, and Smarta communities. It also welcomes visitors from every background. Families, students, mixed-faith couples, office workers, and school groups can visit the temple during open days. The doors remain open every day from 4 pm to 6 pm, while aarti takes place in the morning and evening.

The temple's construction reached an important milestone in 2015 when its first gopuram tower was completed. Skilled stonemasons from India hand-carved black granite brought from Tamil Nadu. The detailed craftsmanship now stands prominently against the skyline of Hasenheide Park. Before this temple, the Sri-Mayurapathy-Murugan Temple in Berlin's Britz area had opened in 2014 as the city's first Hindu temple.

The opening of the Sri Ganesha Temple marks a major milestone for Berlin's Indian community. It reflects the strong cultural ties between India and Germany while serving as a place of worship, community gathering, and cultural exchange. The temple also stands as a lasting example of the contribution made by Indians living and working in Germany.