Chicago: A Hindu temple is being reportedly planned in a building on about 2.4 acres plot in the Chicago suburb Lake in the Hills, which previously housed a Christian church.This temple, being put forward by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), plans to open daily and will be used for worship/prayer services, assemblies, ceremonies, religious classes, scripture reading, community activities, dining, charitable events, etc. It has been holding services at rented place for about seven years, reports suggest.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community towards realizing this 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 help 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).
BAPS, revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in late 18th century in Gujarat (India), is a “socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas”. With international headquarters in Ahmadabad (India) and North American headquarters in Piscataway (New Jersey); BAPS claims to have 3,850 satsang centers, over a million followers, over 55,000 volunteers and over 1000 sadhus worldwide. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj (Swami Keshavjivandasji) is the present spiritual guru.Village of Lake in the Hills in McHenry County of Illinois, founded in 1952, has four lakes. Russ Ruzanski and Jennifer Clough are Village President and Administrator respectively.