$7m Hindu temple planned in Florida

A $7 million Hindu temple called Manav Mandir has reportedly been planned for Suntree in Florida (USA).

This upcoming marble floored temple on 36 acres will be completed in about 18 months, and will include 17 decorated images of Hindu deities, including Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganesh, carved out of marble in Jaipur (India), organizers claim.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple management and area community for realizing this wonderful 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 new temple 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), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Manav Mandir will be the second Hindu temple in Brevard County, the other is in Melbourne, and besides worship needs of the community, it also plans to fulfill its educational needs. It will organize festivals, undertake the study/discussion of sacred texts, offer yoga and other classes, etc., and temple kitchen will serve prasad . It will provide venue for elaborate weddings also, reports suggest.

The second phase of this temple is said to include a separate 35,000 square foot fellowship hall with dance floor, state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and chandeliers. Principal organizers reportedly include Nina Gadodia, Umesh Singh and Mike Shah.

Suntree is the largest master planned unincorporated community in Brevard County. Notable people associated with it include baseball players Tim Wakefield, Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder; and wrestler Devon Hughes. Brevard County, also known as Space Coast, houses John F. Kennedy Space Center. Robin Fisher is the Chairman of County Commissioners, while Howard Tipton is County Manager.