Application for construction permit for Hindu Temple
and Cultural Center of Central Illinois in Champaign
has reportedly been submitted and the Hindu Temple
and Cultural Society of Central Illinois (HTCSCI) behind it claims to celebrate
Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on September 19 this year, in the newly built
temple.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in
Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Champaign and surrounding
area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of
Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality,
concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in
the consumerist society and hoped that this temple would focus in this
direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should
focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh
(liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
To be constructed in two phases complete with gopurams, this
temple will reportedly cost $1.7 million on a 40-acres plot which will also
include soybean and corn fields. Nearby temples are in Peoria, Lemont and
Aurora, all over 100 miles away; and currently the events are held at Hindu
homes, Urbana Civic Center or outdoors on the open land the Society owns. After
about five years of fundraising efforts, its construction is expected to start
next month and it needs to raise about $200,000 by May end, reports suggest.
HTCSCI sees this temple, originally conceived in June 2002,
"as an investment for the sake of future generations". It is
organizing Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam in Urbana
Civic Center
on March 31. Besides regular worship services, new temple will also offer
language and dance classes. Kirankumar Topudurti and Pradeep Khanna are President
and Vice President respectively of HTCSCI.
Incorporated in 1860, City of Champaign claims to offer “urban perks with
smaller city comforts". Home to the University
of Illinois and hub of the Silicon
Prairie, Champaign
has 58 parks. Prominent people associated with Champaign include Netscape
founder Marc Andreessen, twice Nobel Prize awardee John Bardeen, YouTube
co-founders Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, Advanced Micro Devices
founder Jerry Sanders, author Amy Chua, movie critic Roger Ebert,
Nobel laureate James Tobin, Pacifica Quartet, Olympic gold-medalists Bonnie
Blair and Bob Richards. Don Gerard, Thomas Bruno and Steve Carter are Mayor,
Deputy Mayor and Manager respectively of City of Champaign.
Hinduism is the oldest and third largest religion of the
world with about one billion adherents.