In pictures: Tividale's temple

Two fibreglass elephants stand as sentinels at the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple in Tividale, West Midlands which is being officially opened this week.

The Hindu temple is the largest in Europe and is based on the Tirupati-Tirumala Temple in south India.

A number of deities will be introduced into the temple during five-days of ceremonies this week.

It is known as Maha Kumbhabhishekam and more than 10,000 people are expected to visit during this time.

Flower patterns have been drawn on the paving leading to the temple, as is customary among Hindus.

Scores of sculptors and artisans from India have worked on the intricate carvings of ancient Hindu Gods and Goddesses that adorn the temple walls.

The design and construction of the temple used ancient traditions and materials such as granite.

Carved pillars adorn the temple which has cost about £6.5m to build, funded by donations and grants.

During the ceremonies, the priest will climb on to the roof of the temple and pour holy water over the entire building.

Marquees have been set up in preparation for the thousands of visitors, who will all be fed for free during the five days.

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