A Hindu temple and community center named “Shanti Mandir” is breaking ground in the Danville area of Pennsylvania on May 15, which is reportedly a million-dollar project.

 

Groundbreaking Ceremony (Bhoomi-Pujan), to honor goddess Bhoomi (Earth), will include Ganesh Puja, Punya Ahvachan (purification process), Navgraha Puja and Maha Aarti. According to reports; the 30-acre site which includes a pond has been secured, construction is expected to begin soon, and the temple is hoped to be functional by next spring.

 

When completed, besides being a place for worship; this temple plans to celebrate various festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Pongal; undertake free food-clothing distribution and wellness activities; organize yoga and meditation classes, youth activities, South Asian language classes; etc. It plans to include murtis of various deities like Durga, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Radha-Krishna, Ram-Parivar, Saraswati, Shiva, Srinathji, Venkateshwara, etc.; reports suggest.

 

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of the temple leaders and area community towards realizing this temple complex.

 

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 help in this direction.

 

This temple, a non-profit organization, is seeking donations for this “spiritual asset of the Hindu community in and around Danville”, where all are reportedly welcome. Lokendra Thakur and Zankhana Mehta are President and Secretary respectively.