UK: $18.5 Million Hindu Temple Complex Approved In Northampton
Hindus have welcomed the reported unanimous approval of about $18.5 million Hindu temple and high-tech community complex by Northampton (East Midlands, United Kingdom) Borough Council’s planning committee on May 29.
Called “Northampton Kutumbh Centre” (wider family), besides a spectacular Hindu temple, it also reportedly plans to include state-of-the-art and eco-friendly sports, recreation and leisure, education, enterprise, arts and entertainment facilities on about 4.3 acres; providing structure for events, exhibitions, meetings, indoor and outdoor sports, clubs, crèche and nursery, housing complex for seniors, elderly daycare, library, etc.; and using solar and geo-thermal pump technology. It reportedly plans to include a cinema to exhibit Bollywood films and will have facilities for badminton, indoor cricket, five-a-side football, etc., sports; classes in yoga, pilates, martial arts, gymnastics, reiki, dancing and music; health workshops; vegetable gardens; etc. It will reportedly use green and organic material for roof to attract wildlife habitation. Construction will reportedly be launched next year, completing in 2014.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of project leaders and Northampton and surrounding community to realize this wonderful and all-inclusive 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 complex would focus in this direction. He 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.
It is being built by Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, a voluntary charity organization established in 1996 and focused on enriching the lives of Northampton’s Hindus by meeting their social, cultural, welfare and health needs. Neelam Aggarwal is the Chairperson while Atul Karavadra is the Treasurer.
Northampton, about 67 miles north-west of London, is a large market town in England on the River Nene. It has Britain’s largest market square dating from 1235, its Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has a world-class collection of historical footwear, and Diana-Princess of Wales (1961-1997) is buried at Althorp. About five percent of its population is of South Asian descent and it hosts University of Northampton. Roger Conroy and Les Marriott are Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Northampton Borough Council.
Each year Northampton has a public celebration of Diwali, which includes procession around town center lead by dhol drums, workshops and performances in Market Square, henna painting, sari-tying, etc.