Skanda Vale

I recently had the opportunity to visit Skanda Vale in Wales and it was an experience I'll cherish forever. Nestled in the lush Welsh countryside, Skanda Vale is not just a temple but a sanctuary for peace and spiritual growth.From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the serene and tranquil atmosphere. The surrounding nature adds to the peaceful ambiance, making it an ideal retreat for reflection and meditation. The temple complex is beautifully maintained, and each area has its own unique charm and spiritual significance.The staff and volunteers at Skanda Vale are the heart of this place. They were incredibly welcoming and radiated warmth and kindness. Their devotion and commitment to the temple's principles were inspiring, and they went out of their way to ensure that every visitor felt included and at peace.The rituals and ceremonies conducted at the temple were deeply moving and offered a profound insight into spiritual practices. The harmonious chanting, the vibrant rituals, and the profound sense of community during the ceremonies were unlike anything I've experienced elsewhere.One of the most remarkable aspects of Skanda Vale is its commitment to caring for animals and the environment, reflecting a deep respect for all forms of life. This ethos is palpable throughout the temple and adds a profound depth to the spiritual experience.Overall, my visit to Skanda Vale was a journey of inner discovery and peace. It's a place that transcends religion and focuses on the core essence of spirituality and harmony. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a spiritual retreat or a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Superb experience with some hiking and mix it with devotion which feels like a cheery on top , should definitely visit with friends or family .Love to see Britishers as the main pujari as well as all the sevaks are also britisher.The scenery is also exuberant and would suggest you should arrive before 5pm to enjoy this area to the fullest.

pure serene and peace, Must visit for people who wants some peace part of their busy life. They offer free food as well so you can purely focus on god and prayers.Chantings will be in your ears even after you left the place.

THIS PLACE IS NOT FOR A WHEELCHAIR USER OR ANYONE WHO IS NOT STEADY ON THEIR FEET. I recently visited this holy site. I am disabled, with limited mobility. I have to say, this place has zero accessibility for the elderly/disabled. We arrived on a minibus at 4am and parked in the car park. No parking for the blue badge holders. No lights from the car park to the temple. Grounds from the car park to the entrance have loose rubble and are steep to walk up. Everyone had to use their phone torch to see where they were going. No signposts to which direction to follow. Once you reach the first temple by the main entrance (if not open, you wait in the cold and rain) you must remove your shoes, then walk on loose rubble over other people's shoes, climb the 4 steps and then given a seat inside the altar room. No shoe racks so people will just take their shoes off and leave them laying around (see pic attached). I came out of the altar room 5mins early as I could see the difficulty I was going to have putting my shoes on. I used the chair in the hallway and put my feet outside to put my shoes on and the volunteer told me off for sitting there. I explained I was putting on my shoes, he told me to hurry up and put the chair back. He saw I was struggling and it took me time to put my shoes on, he then stood over me and as soon as I got up, he didn’t offer me help to get down 4 steps filled walking over other people’s shoes but took the chair away. Once the prayers finished, apparently there was a minibus transporting the elderly/disabled to the Kali Maa temple. No signs to where the minibus was. You just had to walk around in the dark and on unsteady grounds looking for a minibus, which was parked near the car park. At the Kali Maa temple, there were shoe racks but nowhere to sit and take off shoes. First volunteer walked past, as I was requesting help, then a male volunteer walking by and asked him for a seat that provided one. Chair is given inside the alter room. After prayers complete, I needed the toilet. Only 1 male, 1 female and 1-disabled toilets. Not clean and they were in a shed. I got in the minibus and went to main entrance. No signs telling us which way to go so wondered around and found ourselves at the main Vishnu temple. To get to the Vishnu temple is quite a steep journey with no handrails. Another temple in the mountain, quite high up, I didn’t have the courage to walk but could see s feeble excuse of a handrail. On my way back to the minibus, I want to the toilet. There were 5 portable male toilets and 5 female. No disabled toilets. Everyone visiting had umpteen amounts of food to donate, kilos and kilos of rice, flour, Ghee, oil, dry fruit, fresh fruits and flowers and so much more. Big yellow donation boxes are everywhere and cashless donation points too. Monetary donations are clearly not spent on providing prashadam (food) so what is the money spent on? Not for disabled toilets, for lighting in the car park or on the 30-minute walk to the Kali Maa temple. A new temple in the mountain has been built but not provided safe access/grounds to those who visit. Money is available to put up signs everywhere ‘ no photography’, why don’t they have the money for signposting for directions? On their website it clearly states that it’s always raining and it’s very cold. Thank you for the information but what are they doing about it? I am sure that H&S laws are broken by not providing, safe access from the car park, no disabled parking, no disabled toilets, no lighting, no seating outside the alter room to remove shoes and much more. I will be contacting H&S in Wales.

You'll be blown away by the location and admire how they've built it there.A great place and must visit.People around the place are great to help.The food stall is great and run for the charity.Plenty of parking (and it's free). Toilets are well placed.But note- 3 miles road to the location isn't great and sometimes it gets really tricky if there are too many cars in the opposite direction as only one car can pass at once at so many places in this 3 miles stretch.

A must visit place in summer, journey will be too good with greenery.Don’t miss to visit if you are nearby.

Temple right up the mountain. Need to be carful if you are driving as the road is narrow. Parking at the site and its free. They have animals around the temple. The puja starts at 6.30am and 1.30pm.