Plans to build a Hindu temple approved in Cambridge
Posted Jul 4, 2018 09:17:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Cambridge has approved the construction of a $2.5 million dollar Hindu temple.
The temple had been met with some public resistance earlier this year from residents concerned that the temple could bring down their property value and potentially disturb the peace.
Despite all that — and after waiting 18 years for a zoning bylaw approval, the new Radha Krishna Mandir has been finally approved with a 9-0 planning committee vote on Tuesday night.
Cambridge Hindu Society president Dwarka Persaud says he is hoping to show the concerned neighbours that the new temple could be beneficial to all Canadians, regardless of faith.
“We intend to hold interfaith sessions with no charge to the community. We want to introduce people to meditation and yoga, as it was done by Hindu saints in India.” Persaud told 570 NEWS.
He says the new temple will have features that keeps all community members in mind.
“The temple will have a functional kitchen which we will be able to offer food to the homeless…So it's a unique opportunity for the Hindu community to give back to the Canadian population. We can even do blood drives or fundraising events.”
Persaud says he is working with leaders in the community to help concerned neighbours feel more at ease.
The new temple is slated to open sometime next year.
It will be serving the needs of a growing Hindu community in Cambridge.
“We are a peaceful, nonviolent, loving and caring community,” Persaud said.
