When you go looking for the temple, you'll notice the spires first: three gold-topped white domes rising high above the surrounding rooftops. Today, they are stark against a blue September sky, proudly overlooking the maze of terraced houses below. As I round the corner, the rest of the palatial structure emerges - a sudden, breath-taking shift in the ordinary suburban landscape.
This is the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Grangetown, Cardiff, which proclaims itself as the oldest and largest Hindu temple - or mandir - in Wales. A car pulls up to its entrance, dropping off a group of people - women donning colourful sarees, men traditional Indian tunics. They disappear inside to join the hubbub of activity that fizzes beyond the temple doors.
My visit comes in the middle of an exceptionally busy but exciting period for the temple - the week of its 40th anniversary celebrations. So far, the events attended by hundreds have already included a dance celebration in House of Sport, devotional singing and yoga; tonight, a fire and water festival will illuminate Cardiff Bay.
