During the past 10 years, the Asian population — which includes Indians — increased by 150 percent in Lee County and 124 percent in Collier County, according to the 2010 census. There are an estimated 1,000 Hindu families in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
For years, Indians worshiped at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fort Myers, but their goal was to have their own place. This temple is the only Hindu temple between Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. Future plans at the site include a performing arts and community center and senior citizen housing.