CHICAGO: For the last so many years, Jalaram devotees of the Chicagoland area have been working to establish a temple of Jalarambapa, where the devotees can worship and perform ceremonies and festivals as is done in Virpur and other temples in India. There are many known miracles (parchas) of Bapa and the devotees think that by having the temple right here, Jalarambapa will always be there to bless them and help in any kind of difficulties.

The dream of having the temple in Chicago is now becoming a reality. Contract has been signed for an existing church in Hoffman Estate, a northwest suburb. If everything goes well as planned, the temple will be inaugurated on Ramnavmi or another auspicious day. Necessary changes will be made on the inside to transform the church layout to a temple. The upper floor will be designed for the temple and worship purposes, whereas the lower floor can be used as a kitchen and dining as well as for renting for cultural, religious and social events.

A good amount of donations has been collected. Preparations are underway to start the temple with pictures of Jalarambapa and other deities. Later on Murtis will be installed and pranpritishta will be performed as per Vedic rituals. Jalarambapa was a saint born in Virpur on Novemer 4, 1799. He was married to Virbaima and both of them served humanity during their life. Bapa's life was service to all mankind (Bhujan), offering food and shelter to all (Bhojan) and worship (Bhajan).

To test Bapa's giving, Lord Rama disguised as an old saint and came to his door step and asked to surrender Virbaima for taking care of him in the final days of old age. Without any hesitation, Bapa gave permission to Virbaima to go with the saint.

The saint eventually disappeared and a voice came from the sky that the Lord has been pleased and both of them should continue their services of mankind. Such was Jalarambapa. He was called back to heaven on February 23, 1881. Free food and shelter service is still being offered in Virpur and for the last several years the temple has stopped accepting any donations. May be Bapa provides all the requirements!The volunteers are getting advice from well known social and religious devotees like Dr Bharat Barai, Keshubhai Lakha of Raj Jewelers and Krishnakantbhai Shah.