CHICAGO, July 4, 2013: Carbondale Hindu Temple of Southern Illinois (HTSI), the first one in this part of the state, has opened after three-days of elaborate ceremonies and rituals in Carbondale (Illinois, USA).

Grand opening ceremony of 4,000 square-foot HTSI; a project of non-profit Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of Southern Illinois founded in 2009; included Kumbaabhishekam, Araadhana, and various pujas and homams, etc.

Besides a place of worship, HTSI will function as a community center also. It also conducts “new vehicle puja”, which costs $35 and lasts 20 minutes; and Annaprasanam (introducing solid food to a child) ritual for $51.

According to temple rules, “Shorts/short skirts/sleeveless tops not allowed” for visitors older than nine years. Temple deities include Ganesha, Venkateshswara, Shiva Linga, Durga, Laxmi, Saraswathi, Ram Parivar, Shiv Parivar, Krishna, Karthikeya, Jagannath, Hanuman, Shirdi Sai Baba and Nandi.

Pradeep Reddy, a pediatrician in Marion and president of the temple board of trustees, said the temple will be a large asset to the southern Illinois community.

Reddy led the movement to create a temple in southern Illinois, donating three acres of land for the temple to be built on. Hinduism as a religion is not as much going to church every Sunday, he said. It is more a way of living as opposed to formalized rules and regulations. The temple will help Hindus in the region get more in touch with their faith, he added.

University President Glenn Poshard said the temple is an accomplishment for all Hindus in southern Illinois and shows their dedication to their faith. Mayor Joel Fritzler said the temple helps Carbondale stand out as a diverse city in southern Illinois.

The temple, which opens 365 days a year, besides daily Aarathi, also holds weekly abhishekam/puja every day except Wednesday and special monthly rituals. Pradeep Reddy, Naresh Patel, Padma Chandrashekar and Subhash Sharma are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively of its Board of Trustees.

Before this Temple, area Hindus reportedly traveled to St. Louis or Nashville for worship services and gathered at homes. It will also be very convenient for students from India enrolled at Southern Illinois University.

Carbondale in Jackson County, founded in 1852 and is known as “Capital of Southern Illinois.” It has won All American City Award and Governor’s Home Town Award.

Source: India Post, DT. July 4, 2013.