A majestic multi-million pound Hindu temple and community center is reportedly being planned for Exeter (Devon, United Kingdom).
Claimed to be "one of a kind in Europe" when completed with an estimated cost of six to eight million pounds and spread out in four acres, this Hindu Temple and Cultural Community Centre (also known as Sanatan Hindu Mandir) is proposed to be functional in the next 2-4 years in an "eco-friendly" building. Currently, nearest Hindu temple is said to be in Bristol, about 75 miles.
It is reportedly registered with Charity Commission of England and Wales, where its object is listed as "advancement of the Hindu religion." Its other charitable purposes listed are: education/training, prevention/relief of poverty, religious activities, arts/culture/heritage/science, economic/community development/employment. Per this listing, it will also provide advocacy/advice/information.
Besides various Christian churches, Exeter has a mosque and a synagogue. This proposed temple plans to have statues of various deities and besides worship and rituals; will organize various cultural, community and educational events. Its other aims include advancement of environmental protection, promoting spiritual healing to relieve stress, financial help to hospitals and blood donation camps, promoting good race relations, elimination of race discrimination, understanding religious beliefs of others, unity between religious groups, etc. It will reportedly organize plant-a-tree campaign, paper recycling, and solar water heating.
Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple-project leaders and Exeter and surrounding area community to realize this wonderful Hindu temple and community center.
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. 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.
Temple leader is said to be Prem Sivlal, and reportedly in addition to him, other trustees are Tarlock Lall and Jashee Nathwani. Besides serving the Hindu community, it plans to have close relationship with other religions. Various fundraising efforts are said to be underway, including monthly kirtans.
Historic Exeter, on River Exe, whose traces go as far back as 250 BCE, is known for St Peter's Cathedral (1050), University of Exeter and headquarters of UK's national weather service called The Met Office. Prominent persons associated with Exeter include diplomat Sir Thomas Bodley, "father of baseball" Henry Chadwick, actress Irene Vanbrugh, singers Tony Burrows and Chris Martin, actor Bradley James, swimmer Liam Tancock, etc. Over 69 percent of its population is Christian, over 20 percent have "no religion", while all other religions are under one percent. While about 97.5 percent of people are white, only 0.7 percent population is of Indian descent. Marcel Choules is the Lord Mayor.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents.
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Rajan Zed is a religious statesman who has taken up Hindu, interfaith, religion, Roma and other causes all over the world.
He was invited by President of European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering, in December 2008 in Brussels (Belgium) for a meeting to promote interfaith dialogue. He has read opening prayers in United States Senate in Washington DC, various state senates and assemblies/houses-of- representatives, city councils, etc., across the country.
Zed is one of the panelists for “On Faith”, a prestigious interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. He has been bestowed with “World Interfaith Leader Award”, “Nevada Religious Unity Award”, “Positive Pluralism & Unity Prize”, & other awards for interfaith dialogue.
He is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Interreligious Diplomacy, Director of Interfaith Relations of Nevada Clergy Association, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.
Rajan Zed is on the Governing Board of Directors of Northern Nevada International Center, on the Board of Directors of Nevada World Trade Council, member Citizens Advisory Committee of Regional Transportation Commission, member Reno Police Chief Advisory Board, etc.
He possesses Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from University of Nevada-Reno and Master of Science in Mass Communications from San Jose State University, California.
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