A former Boy Scouts of America building in Racine (Wisconsin) is reportedly being converted to a Hindu temple, which will be functional in the next few months.
Hindu Temple of Racine will be open for the public for services, rituals and other community activities during the upcoming spring. It is proposing to install nine marble murtis of deities, currently being sculpted in India. A priest from Wheeling (Illinois) might commute for the Sunday services, which will end with a community lunch, reports suggest.
According to reports, this Temple, besides providing space for area Hindus for worship services, who currently drive to Wheeling (about 53 miles), will also work towards educating non-Hindus about Hinduism; holding classes on Hinduism, Hindi, Gujarati and yoga; and organizing festivals.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of Temple leaders and area community towards realizing this 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.
Ram Patel is reportedly the President of the Temple. Others associated with Temple include Mahesh Patel, Zarna Patel and Shital Patel. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has one billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
Racine, on Lake Michigan and Root River; is home to S.C. Johnson & Son, the first garbage disposal, one of the world’s first automobiles, malted milk balls development, large prom celebration, etc., and is known for its Wind Point Lighthouse and Danish pastry kringle. Prominent people associated with it include two-time Oscar-winning actor Fredric March, Rotary International founder Paul P. Harris, S.C. Johnson & Son founder Samuel Curtis Johnson Senior, singer-actress Barbara McNair and female bodybuilding champion Cory Everson. John Dickert is the Mayor.