Lenasia: Temples, Gardens and History

Lenasia brings together distinctive religious buildings, a garden laid out right next to a temple, and historical sites. This mix offers different starting points for planning your trip: you can be interested in architecture, religious festivals or the history of the area, and then choose which themes will shape your days.

Garden and Temple in Lenasia

The Tulasi Garden next to the ISKCON Temple was established in 2009. Its design includes a greenhouse, a Japa meditation path, benches and lawns. In one place, landscaped garden areas meet a path for meditation. The temple itself is on the main road in Extension 9. The garden and temple therefore provide a specific starting point if you are interested in religious sites and their surroundings.

The Swaminarayan Mandir also combines striking architecture with distinctive interior design. The low, rectangular building has a small central dome. Columns stand at the corners and beside the side entrances; they are decorated with ornate PVC carvings and mouldings. Inside, a polished marble floor and a spacious prayer area create a tranquil impression. The prayer area faces the images of the deities on a decorated raised platform. The Mandir opened in September 2004.

Religious Sites and History

Other sites provide different historical and religious points of reference. The Saaberie Chishty Masjid was officially opened on 4 November 1990. The Shree Rameshwar Mahadev Mandir celebrates religious festivals and holy days.

Gandhi Hall is also associated with a specific date: Nelson Mandela opened it in Lenasia on 27 September 1992. Together with the different temple buildings, it offers an insight into the area’s history and religious diversity, while each site tells a different story. If you are especially interested in architecture, the Swaminarayan Mandir offers many described architectural details; if you are more interested in historical points of reference, you can focus on the opening dates of Gandhi Hall and the Saaberie Chishty Masjid.

Events and Other Destinations

The Gandhi Walk is organised annually by the Gandhi Walk Committee as a fundraising event. Its stated aims include togetherness, health and community awareness. The 33rd edition was scheduled to take place in Lenasia in 2018. Check current event information if you plan to include the Walk in your itinerary.

For further cultural and historical perspectives in the wider destination of City Of Johannesburg, there are various other themes to explore. The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid; its permanent exhibition traces South Africa’s history from oppression to a place of healing shaped by democratic principles. As a living museum, Constitution Hill tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy and is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The Origins Centre focuses on the origins of humankind in Africa, as well as the development of technology, art, culture and symbolism, and South African rock art traditions. These sites complement the religious and historical places mentioned in Lenasia with further perspectives on the wider destination.

When choosing your holiday rental in Lenasia, your trip’s focus can help guide your decision: would you mainly like to explore the architectural forms and interiors of the mandirs, visit several religious sites, or focus on historical dates and places of remembrance? First decide which of these interests matter to your travel group. For additional trips in City Of Johannesburg, you can also consider whether museums and urban history would complement your plans. This way, you can choose accommodation that suits the topics you want to explore locally, rather than putting together different sites without a focus of your own.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Soweto, Randburg, Alexandra, Roodepoort, Sandton, Lanseria, Johannesburg, Pimville.

Go to the main travel overview: City Of Johannesburg.