Hindu temple launched in New Haven, home to Yale University

Nevada (US), Dec 7 (ANI): A new Hindu temple and community center has reportedly started functioning in West Hills area of New Haven (Connecticut, USA).

Launched by Gujarati Samaj of Connecticut (founded around 1992) with two priests, it is named as Shree Nathji Haveli. Besides prayer services twice daily and seven times a week, this temple complex, one of the five in Connecticut, also plans to start yoga, activities for seniors, lessons in Indian dancing and Gujarati language, etc. New Haven City Plan Commission, chaired by Edward Mattison, approved it unanimously on November 17.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of New Haven and surrounding community to realize 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 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.

New Haven, founded in 1638 and incorporated in 1784, home of world famous Yale University and birthplace of inventor/industrialist Charles Goodyear and casino developer Steve Wynn, is an important port known for New Haven Green and "apizza". John DeStefano Jr. is the mayor.

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