$10m Venkateswara Temple opens in Michigan

Novi, Michigan: The about $10 million and 30,000 square foot Sri Venkateswara Temple & Cultural Center on over ten acres of plot in Novi (Michigan, USA) has opened after six days of elaborate celebrations and rituals which ended June two.

Program included Phaladhivasam, Pusphadhivasam, Sayanadhivasam, Ksheeradhivasam, Jaladivaasam, Chayadhivaasam, Srivari Kalyana Utsavam, Gartha Pooja, Rathnanyasam, Bimbayanthra Sthaapanam, Nayana Unmeelanam, Lord's Permission, Veda paarayanams, araadhanams, suddis, nivedanams, homams, arachanams, sevakaalams, kumbaraadhanams, abhishekam, creating fire; besides music concerts, classical dance performances and stotram recitation. Thousands attended the rituals performed by 24 priests from USA and India, reports suggest.

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.

A mahogany door hand-carved with ten Vishnu avatars (incarnations) leads to main sanctum to this Temple, which took about five years to realize, and is said to be carved out of Sadarali Gray granite from a South India quarry. Built on Vedic principles, it is claimed to be the first all-granite Hindu temple in North America. Besides a venue for worship and prayer; it reportedly would also organize Sunday school on Hindu scriptures, festivals, cultural events, programs for spiritual growth, youth activities, etc.

Temple opens 365-days a year at nine am. Saikumar Lingam, Anand Gangadharan, Sarada Gullapalli and Bala Setty are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively of its Executive Committee; for which land was reportedly purchased in 2000. Pranaprathista was held 'under the divine guidance' of Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami.

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.

Incorporated in 1969, female majority Novi, also known as 'Little Tokyo', is one of the fastest growing cities of Michigan. Bob Gatt, David Staudt and Clay J. Pearson are Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem and City Manager respectively of Novi, whose goal is to "Maintain a Fiscally Responsible Government".