HINDU TEMPLE OF NORTHERN NEVADA NEWS RELEASE
Northern Nevada’s first Hindu temple will have its own building in the near future as its groundbreaking (Bhoomi-Pooja) ceremony will be held on Oct. 16 in Reno.
According to temple spokesman Rajan Zed, priests will perform this few hours long ceremony as per ancient Hindu traditions based on Sanskrit scriptures. This approximately one-acre temple project has become possible after years of community efforts under the umbrella of Hindu (Sanathan Dharam) Temple of Northern Nevada Inc., a tax-exempt organization.
A grand opening ceremony, besides the Hindu community, will also be attended by various elected and other leaders of the area and will conclude with a community lunch.
To be built according to traditional ancient Hindu architecture, this temple, besides a sanctuary containing decorated images of major Hindu deities, also will have a courtyard, garden, community hall and classroom facilities. Besides a venue of worship and prayers, it will also serve as a community center organizing various cultural, religious and educational activities.
Virender K. Bali is president of the Temple Board.
The other two Hindu temples in Nevada are in Las Vegas. There are about 600 Hindu families in northern and western Nevada.
Diwali, Baisakhi, Holi, Raas Garba, Ugadhi and Onam festivals have been celebrated in the area as well as frequent Pujas/Jagrans/Hawans. Travelling kirtan bands have been visiting the area frequently. Currently the Hindu (Sanathan Dharam) Temple of Northern Nevada functions in a rented building in Reno.
People of Indian descent in northern Nevada include Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Jains and Zoroastrians and speak about 15 different languages (not dialects). There are many students from India at the University of Nevada-Reno, mostly doing graduate degrees in engineering and sciences. Many doctors, professors, engineers and businesspeople of the area are of Indian origin.
Hinduism, the oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
For information, contact [email protected].
