Construction of Guruvayurappan Hindu Temple in Texas moves ahead

zed.rajan zed.rajan@gmail.com

Construction of Sri Guruvayurappan Temple in Houston (Texas, USA) has entered second phase.

According to reports, Temple organizers are aiming to build this grand temple based on the architectural and ritual features of Guruvayur Devaswom of Kerala (India) by summer 2013 and claim that when completed, it will be the first of a kind Guruvayurappan temple in western world. Second phase will also include a community center. It recently conducted Shadhadhara Prathishta, a ritual milestone, and buried a time capsule. Phase three will bring more accomplishments.

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Houston area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple and community center.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Kerala Hindu Society, a non-profit organization established in 1983 but whose history goes back to 1979, has acquired 4.8 acres for this project and architect Kanippayyur Krishnan Nampoothiripad and thanthri Karianur Divakaran Nampoothiri are reportedly associated with it. Sasidharan Nair, Somarajan Nair, Sathyan Pillai, and Muralee Kesavan are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively of the Temple Board.

Currently the Temple, which opens at six am every day, besides daily poojas, also holds monthly Ganapathi Homam and Bhagavathi Seva and weekly bhajans. It also offers various religious services, like Annadanam (which costs $251), Vahana Pooja, etc.; and organizes Malayalam and religious classes.

Guruvayur Devaswom, abode of Lord Sree Guruvayoorappan at Bhoolokavaikundam, about 29 kilometers from Thrissur (Kerala), is a well known pilgrimage site in India, where the presiding deity is Mahavishnu. According to the legends, the idol worshipped here is more than 5000 years old. Guruvayur is a form of Krishna. Another $6 million Guruvayurappan Temple is also planned in Brampton (Ontario, Canada).  

Incorporated in 1837, Houston, which houses NASA Johnson Space Center, is the fourth-largest city of USA. Annise D. Parker is the Mayor.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.

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