Hanuman Mandir coming up in Greater Chicago

An about 39,000 square foot white-marble Hanuman Mandir of Greater Chicago is reportedly opening in Glenview, an affluent northern Chicago suburb, on April 17.

Also known as Shri Hanuman Mandir and Spiritual Community Center, it would unveil an over 22 feet high and weighing over 46,000 pounds Lord Hanuman statue during its grand-opening ceremonies including elaborate ancient rituals from April 15-17, which are expected to draw over 5,000 devotees from Illinois and beyond, reports suggest.

Many priests will participate in reciting prayers, performing rituals and installing various India-carved Hindu deities on altars during the opening ceremonies

Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community for realizing this 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 would help 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.

According to reports, it took over two years to build this marble exterior and interior two-story temple on a 4.1 acres plot, which includes the main sanctuary on the upper-floor and a multi-use community center below for various cultural, educational, social and spiritual programs. In December 2013, land sanctification ceremony of this land was organized and a ground breaking ceremony was held here in April 2014.

It has announced various Sunday school programs, including Indian languages, Bhagavad-Gita, yoga, religion and culture, etc. It has also launched a "adopt a tree" campaign. Savi Ram is one of the temple leaders.

Lord Hanuman, greatly revered and worshipped in Hinduism, is known for incredible strength and was a perfect grammarian. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in USA.