Launch of first Hindu state school

The Krishna-Avanti Primary School will open its doors to the first reception class in September, but children will spend a year in temporary classrooms while new buildings are constructed.

The school, in Edgware, north-west London, will be the first state-funded primary for Hindus in the country.

It follows long-running controversy over the role of faith groups in state education, with critics warning that religious segregation will damage communities.

But head teacher Naina Parmar stressed the school would work to promote religious harmony.

She said: "We recognise and take our duty seriously in ensuring that we promote community cohesion, inclusion and value inter-cultural and religious diversity.

"We will ensure our pupils are equipped with life-long skills and attitudes essential to enable them to make outstanding contributions to all aspects of contemporary British society."

A spokesman for the school said the Bhumi Puja ceremony involves asking the permission of Mother Earth before building works can begin.

It will include chanting 10,000-year-old Sanskrit prayers, ancient costumes and singing to the accompaniment of Indian drums and cymbals.

A holy Hindu ritual called Yajna, where robed priests will pour offerings of clarified butter into a large sacred fire, will form the climax of the ceremony.