A magnificent $3-million Hindu Temple, which took about six years to complete, opened in Woodlands, Texas last week, with the traditional Prathishta Mahotsavam and Kumbhabishekhamceremonies from June 17-19, 2011.
The grand inauguration ceremony included numerous Hindu rituals including Ganesha Puja, Vaastu Puja, Mata-ki-Chowki, Dandiya Raas,bhajans and kirtans. Idols of Lord Ganesha, Lord Venkateswara, and Lord Shiva were installed during these ceremonies using Hindu rituals, as prescribed in the ancient scriptures orAgama Shastras. Statues of Lakshmi and Radha-Krishna are planned to be installed in the coming months.
This 8.35 acre Hindu Temple of the Woodlands, whose tagline is “A center for culture and devotion”, claims to preserve “the ancient spiritual and cultural heritage of India in a contemporary setting” and will have yagna facilities, classroom and library space, a large lobby and a kitchen.
Hindu Temple of the Woodlands plans to offer comprehensive puja or worship services of various deities, celebrations of various festivals, presentations and discussions on Eastern philosophy and Vedanta, weekly classes on Indian languages, arts and scriptures, health care, counseling, etc. Shashi Bellur is the Board Chairperson, Nimish Dhuldhoya is Executive Committee President, and M.M. Chakrapani Bhattacharya is the priest.
The Woodlands is a master-planned community within the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area of Texas which has won a Special Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute. The temple will play and important role in passing on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations growing up in the United Stated. Earlier, area Hindus had to drive over one and half hours to Sugar Land or Pearland in order to visit the nearest temple.
