The temple dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, and the wife of Lord Vishnu, will have a classic Indian design.
Hindus in Greater Springfield, Illinois, are planning to build a new temple in the area over the next two years, reported State Journal-Register.
The community in the area is all set to start the construction of the proposed 8,500 square-foot temple on April 21. The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield (HTGS) is currently situated at a converted church on the western edge of Chatham. The new temple will be constructed northwest of its present site.
Dr. Obul Reddy, chairman of the board, HTGS, is excited as the project that has been envisioned by the community decades ago is finally coming true.
“It’s a dream come true. “It’s a reality. We’re all excited, and the community will be more excited when they see this happen,” Reddy told State Journal-Register in an interview.
Construction of the project will start with a religious ceremony where two priests will do “Bhoomi puja” (ground worship).
Dr. Reddy of Chatham, Krishna Brahmamdam of Springfield and Dr. Romesh Kumar Khardori, who put forward the idea of a new temple will be present at the function.
The temple dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, and the wife of Lord Vishnu, will have a classic Indian design. But the design will be different from other Hindu temples in Bloomington, Champaign, Peoria, and Carbondale.
“It’s Hindus coming of age (in the area),” Rao said. “They’re comfortable living here and are starting to put down institutions and roots.”
Reddy said that he hopes that the temple will become a place for the community to meet and socialize. “When you see a priest chanting in Sanskrit, it might make you feel like you’re in an Indian temple. That’s what we want to bring out,” he said.
“Hopefully, it should help the kids and grandkids realize the culture and religion. At least we’re exposing it to them. Now they can see it. Before, there was no option,” Reddy added.
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