Venkateswara Hindu temple opening in northeast Ohio

Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland in Richfield Village (Ohio, USA) is opening on a seven-acre lot with elaborate seven-day celebrations starting May 22.

The “Grand Opening & Prana Pratishtapanam Celebrations”, based on Agamas, besides various Poojas, Homams, Aarathis, Sankalpams, Punyahavachanams, Prarthanas, etc., will also include Kalasadivasam, Jaladivasam, Dhanyadivasam, Ksheeradivasam, Pushpadivasam, Phaladivasam, Sayanadivasam, Rathna Stapanam, Mahakumbha/Upakumbha Aradhanam, Vinesha Kalyana Utsavam, Suprabhatam, Sahasranama Archana, Hanuman Chalisa, etc.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of Temple leaders and area community to realize this Hindu temple complex.

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.

Besides Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) as main deity; its Sanctum Hall will also include the deities of Vighneswara (Ganesha), Sreedevi (Lakshmi), Bhudevi (Andal), Garuda and Anjaneya (Hanuman). Other Temple features include community hall, classrooms, kitchen, etc. Besides worship, Temple will also hold special events.

It reportedly took about seven years of efforts to realize this Temple. Earlier, the area devotees either gathered at homes or travelled as far as Pittsburgh (about 120 miles) for worship services.  Dr. T. Ramakrishna Bandi, Lakshminarayanan Venkataraman, Ramakant Rambhatla and Sarala Venna are Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectively of the Temple Board. Music, dance and complimentary lunch-dinner will also be part of the opening celebrations and public is welcome to join, reports suggest.

Ancient Sri Venkateswara Swamy Vaari Temple in Tirumala Tirupati (India) is the most well-known of Venkateswara temples in the world. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

Bobbie Beshara and Rick Hudak are Mayor and Council President respectively of Village of Richfield, founded in 1809, which wants to "maintain the rural character".

Source : Oye Times