US : Ganesha Temple Breaks Ground in New Jersey

Jyeshtha Shuklapaksha 1, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

New Jersey, United States

Toms River (New Jersey, United States) : Hundreds participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of the Siddhivinayak Temple in Toms River here June 1.

The Bhumi Pujan ceremony of the temple, also known as Sarv Dev Mandir and Community Center, started with a Shree Ganesh Rath Yatra (procession) and included Ganesh Pujan, Kalash Pujan, Navgrah Pujan, Havan, Khanan, earth worship and Aarti on the six-acre plot.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement, applauded the efforts of temple leaders and the community in realizing the Hindu temple complex, which is chaired by Avinash Gupta.

Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to the coming generations and hoped that the temple complex would focus on this.

According to reports, management expects an “interim temple and community center” to be up and running by this fall. The next phase will include a 40,000-square-feet temple and community center, where Lord Ganesha will be the main deity, besides five to seven other altars with idols such as Mahavir, Buddha, Venkateshvar, Krishna, Durga, Ram and Hanuman.

It will include a prayer hall, center for cultural activities and social events, library and resource center, and kids’ play area. Besides being a venue for worship, the temple will also celebrate festivals and organize religious and cultural classes for children and various activities for seniors.

Source : IndiaWest