BRANDON, USA, August 9, 2008: Suseela Reddy slipped off his shoes before walking into the Hindu temple here out of respect for the sacred space. Once inside, the Jackson State University professor joined some 150 devotees awaiting the arrival of a renowned Indian guru, Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji, who is known for his healing and meditation music and has established more than 50 temples worldwide.
The special occasion this week drew Hindus from throughout the region, who flocked to the temple for a glimpse of the holy man. The crowd also got to survey the progress of a new, Indian-style temple that’s been under construction on the grounds for close to four years. The nearly $4 million building project signals the growth of the metro area’s Hindu community, which over the past two decades has swelled from about 100 to 500 families.
“We need a new temple because the old one was very small and our community is growing,” said Reddy, a native of south India who has lived in Mississippi for 15 years. Founded in 1990, the original house of worship is a one-story, cinder-block building that lacks the ornate architectural details for which Hindu temples are known. The new temple is expected to be complete for a dedication ceremony in late November, said Baldev Patel, a business owner and chairman of the Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi.
About 10 artisans from India have been working six days a week for close to four years hand carving intricate designs, patterns and figures into nearly every inch of the structure. Though it’s not yet complete, the uniqueness of the new temple already causes some motorists to stop and take a closer look, Patel said. “It is a one-of-a-kind, beautiful temple,” he said.