New Hindu Temple Planned for Corner of Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT – A Hindu temple, complete with a 77-foot spire, is set to go in a corner of town near Interstate-291.

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special exception for the temple last week.

The 10,000-square-foot temple will be situated toward the end of a dead end street — 15 Burnham St. Ext. to be exact. The parcel is on the north side of the road, planning officials said.

The $6 million project will also feature a 109-space parking lot, according to project specifications.

Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, commended efforts of temple leaders and area community towards "realizing this Hindu temple."

"It is important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and I hope this temple will help in this direction," he said. "Instead of running after materialism, we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh or "liberation."

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel