UK's Northampton to have $18.7 million Hindu temple complex

Nevada (US), Nov 29 (ANI): Plan for an about $18.7 million Hindu temple and high-tech community complex in Northampton (East Midlands, United Kingdom) has been approved, according to reports.

Called "Kutumbh Centre" (wider family), besides a spectacular Hindu temple, it also reportedly plans to include state-of-the-art sports, recreation, education, enterprise and entertainment facilities on about 4.3 acres; providing structure for events, exhibitions, meetings, indoor and outdoor sports, clubs, creche and nursery, housing complex for seniors, elderly daycare, library, etc.; using solar and geo-thermal pump technology.

It is being built by Indian Hindu Welfare Organization (IHWO), 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.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of 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.

Northampton, about 67 miles north-west of London, is a large market town in the East Midlands region of 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 of about 206,000 is of South Asian descent and it hosts University of Northampton. Marianne Taylor is the Mayor 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.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.(ANI)