SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Northern Nevada’s first Hindu temple had its ground-breaking ceremony on October 16 in Reno amidst chanting of Sanskrit mantras from ancient Hindu scriptures.
According to Temple spokesman Rajan Zed, this about one-acre temple project has been possible after years of community efforts under the umbrella of Hindu (Sanathan Dharam) Temple of Northern Nevada Inc., a tax-exempt organization.
Ground-breaking ceremony, besides few hundred members of the Hindu community, was also attended by Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall, Nevada State Controller Kim Wallin, Sparks Mayor Geno Martini, Carson City Mayor Robert Crowell, Nevada State Senator James A. Settelmeyer, and Reno Police Chief Steven Pitts, who also spoke at the ceremony welcoming the new place of worship and applauding the community for their efforts.
Various elected and other officials, who could not be present, sent messages, which were read by Zed on the occasion, and who included: Nevada Lieutenant Governor Brian K. Krolicki, Nevada First Lady Kathleen Sandoval, United State Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Nevada Nancy M. Saitta, Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada State Senator Sheila Leslie, Washoe County Commission Vice Chairman Bonnie Weber and Washoe County School District Superintendent Dr. Heath Morrison.
To be built according to traditional ancient Hindu architecture, this Temple besides a sanctuary containing decorated images of major Hindu deities, also plans to 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, according to Rajan Zed.
President of Temple Board Virender K. Bali points out that the Temple should be ready in over a year and would cost over $600,000. He has urged the community to donate generously.
Shambhu Das, Temple Board Member, says that presence of Temple will be instrumental in passing the Hindu spiritual and cultural traditions to the next generations.
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, Onam, etc., festivals have been celebrated in the area; besides 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 India-descent in northern Nevada include Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Zoroastrians, and speak about 15 different languages (not dialects). There are many students from India in University of Nevada-Reno, mostly doing graduate degrees in engineering and sciences. Many doctors, professors, engineers and businesspeople of the area are of India-origins.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal.
