WOODLANDS, TEXAS, October 17, 2007: Hindus are celebrating as the conceptual design has been approved for a new Hindu temple in the Houston area. The location is in a far northern suburb, The Woodlands, a planned community, on 8.35 acres of wooded land and located adjacent to a beautiful community park. There will be a temple to conduct religious, educational and cultural activities in the Hindu/Vedic tradition. The venue is also intended to be a multi-purpose facility ideal for conducting classes, doing research, attending performing arts programs, celebrating festivities or holding community gatherings.
Project designer Taryn Kinney and VP Steve Durham of Kirksey describe the temple this way: “The new temple will bring Hindu tradition to The Woodlands while also blending with the community in which it sits. Natural light and clerestory windows, used extensively in the project, create soft diffuse light reminiscent of historic temples in India.”
The adults are excited about the temple, but probably not more excited than the children and youth who are looking forward to a temple close to home, a place to worship, study and meet their friends. While the plans to get the land approvals and the building approvals were being taken care of, the committee got educational and puja activities started. Scripture and language classes are underway. Sanskriti, another Woodlands area organization, now works closely with the Hindu Temple of The Woodlands to coordinate the educational efforts for youth.
Now that the conceptual plans have been approved by the Woodlands Design Review Board, Bhumi Puja will be held in early 2008, initiating a phased plan to start the temple construction. The first phase of 13,500 square feet will include the main temple, Ganesha temple, lobby, classroom/meeting room, kitchen and restrooms. The Ganesha Murthy for the temple has been provided by Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami and is ready for installation. Additional Murthies are being provided by Triupathy Devasthanam in Andhra Pradesh, India.
The land, 8.3 acres, was purchased with no debt, so all donations will go toward the temple construction. The total funding for Phase I of the project is 1.5 million. The committee has $340,000 already collected, with additional pledges. The project will need cash in hand of about $800,000 to enable the start of construction.
For construction plans click here for a video clip.