Conceptual illustration of “Hindu Temple and Community Center”
LONDON: When a Hindu charity discovered that it could bid for a plot of land zoned for religious/community use in the new town of Northstowe in Cambridgeshire, the 150 Hindu families of Indian origin living there were thrilled that there was no Hindu temple within 40 miles, leaving them and thousands of Hindus of Indian origin living around Cambridge working in technology and science, in a hospital and university, without a place to worship.Aparna Nijan Saxena, chair of the Hindu Samaj Northstowe (HSN) project, was shocked when she moved to Northstowe to discover no Hindu temple in the whole of Cambridgeshire. Hindu families initially gathered in each other’s gardens to celebrate festivals, and now rent venues, but many will not allow Hindu rituals.“There are generations growing up without a place of worship or a proper connection to their culture and roots.
Some elderly people have a wish before they die to have a temple here. “We want local schools to be able to visit because they go to churches and mosques but are never able to visit a temple,” Negan Saxena said.The 0.25 hectare plot of land, next to the lake, owned by the developer, will be given to the council who will grant a 999-year lease to one religious/community group for a peppercorn rent (nominal, very low, or no value payment).
Two bids were received – one from HSN and one from Northstowe Church Network in association with Northstowe Church, the proposed anchor tenant. The church proposes a chapel and hall used for Muslim Friday prayers, an Islamic prayer room for Islamic lessons and daily prayers, a café, community spaces and a garden.
HSN proposes an interfaith, community and well-being center for 79% of the space, which will include a kitchen, a café, STEM classes, programming, yoga, etc.
And two prayer rooms that can be used by all faiths. “These two rooms do not contain any Hindu deities because we realize that some religions do not allow depiction of icons,” said Negan Saxena. A Hindu temple will be built on 21% of the area.She said there are already a lot of churches and mosques in the vicinity.South Cambridgeshire County Cabinet will decide who will award the land in June. The public consultation, which has just concluded, will contribute to their decision.But Negan Saxena is not happy with the evaluation summary prepared by council officials, which she said does not properly reflect the NSN proposal. Officers criticized HSN for failing to establish a financial record, something they say for a new organization like theirs would be impossible. Officers also criticized HSN for not demonstrating its engagement with the wider community.Although three more plots of land will be put up for bidding in the future, HSN has its heart set on this one.
“For us, it’s a really great piece of land because it’s next to a lake, which is auspicious.”“There is a real urgency behind our project. We don’t have close families here, so little things like birthdays and anniversaries, it’s important for us to go to a place of worship,” she said.Pastor Beth Cobb, lead minister of the Northstowe Church Network, told TOI that Hindus will be allowed to use its multi-purpose spaces for any purpose, including worship. “We celebrate that both organizations believe they are in a position to respond to the council’s giving opportunity,” Cobb said.
