Source: Omaha World-Herald
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, July 10, 2002: From sunup to sundown, 11 Indian workers commit themselves to the meticulous duty of crafting a Hindu temple. The visiting temple carvers work in a building tucked away in a corner of southwest Omaha. Slowly, the unique temple architecture is distinguishing itself from the area’s common strip malls. The renovation is one of two milestones for the Hindu temple, which has been open at 13010 Arbor St. behind a Target store since 1994. In July, the temple welcomed its first full-time priest, which now allows for daily services. The popularity of the Hindu temple, which draws members from eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, is driving the US$1.2 million project. Membership has grown six-fold to 600 families in just five years. To renovate their building, local Hindu leaders turned to India’s premier temple architect, V. Ganapati Sthapati. Last March, the carvers, or silpis, took up residence in the Omaha temple, said V. T. Ramakrishnan, the temple’s president. Ramakrishnan said a Memorial Day, 2003, service is planned to open the temple.