CHICAGO: Lord Ganesh is deemed to be a harbinger of good tidings (sukhkarta) and remover of all obstacles (Vighna Harata) and many of his devotees could vouch for that unhesitatingly. And this was publicly proved one more time recently when the 50th Ward Chicago Alderman Silverstein formally gave green signal for rezoning and rehabilitation of the temple facility now located at 2543 W Devon Avenue in Chicago.
Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) held a community meeting in West Ridge alongside Mita Shewakramani of Shree Ganesh Hindu Temple, as well as the group’s attorney and architect on December 8. The community hearing pertained to the approval for the rezoning and rehabilitation project for the Shree Ganesh Temple of Chicago that was attended by a good number of Ganesh devotees, supporters and well wishers of the temple
The meeting was part of the process of obtaining a license from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals in order to become a religious institution.
A brief presentation by Mita Shewakramani, Board member of the Shree Ganesh Temple of Chicago, described the project, including a complete facade change to include traditional colorful pillars and tiers to the building. The interior will also include white marble floors and walls, with prayer mats and chairs for the elderly, and large ornate idols placed throughout.
Plans are for a palace-style facade decorated with colorful and ornate details, in particular a nearly 40-foot stone pyramid-like structure that would stand atop the one-story building.
The inside has a capacity for 150 people and would include a sanctuary, classroom, meditation room and hospitality room, and would offer lessons in Hindi, meditation, yoga, astrological readings and more to patrons and community members alike, Mita said.
There are 12 parking spaces behind the current facility while another 30 are slated to be set aside for those using the temple in a private parking garage across the street at Rockwell and Devon, said Elizabeth Santis, the temple’s attorney.
However, as pointed out by Mita, about one-third of the temple’s patrons would travel by foot rather than car.” The added traffic would be an “integral facet” in improving a vibrant, but struggling, commercial Devon Avenue,” she added
With over 50 people in attendance, the community, with overwhelming support, applauded the presentation and several members expressed their excitement and gratitude for the first Hindu temple in the Chicago city limits.
Alderman Silverstein offered her full support for the project. The Temple also offers free weekly yoga and Hindi language classes, as well as personalized astrological readings. Regal Foundation, the sponsors of the Temple, hope to have their grand opening on or before the Ganesh Chathurthi, September 2017.
Hindi Lovers Club has its office in the Temple at 2545 W. Devon Ave
(Inside Ganesh Temple) and conducts free Hindi classes every Saturday at 1.30 pm and Hindi Kavi Darbar every 3rd Friday of the month from 7pm to 9 pm. Every Hindi lover is invited to join and enjoy.
Ramesh Soparawala
India Post News Service
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