Proceedings Show Plans Evolving For New Temple In Manchester

MANCHESTER, CT — Applications have been submitted for the next steps for a new house of worship in Manchester.

It's all part of a plan for a permanent new home for the Shri Shirdi Sai Temple of Connecticut.

The temple in 2018 acquired a 6-acre parcel at 15 Burnham Street Ext. with the idea that it move from a location in Middletown it has rented since 2009, according to the temple's website.

According to municipal documents, the immediate plan is to construct a temporary congregation building with parking at the Manchester location and the Manchester Planning and Zoning Commission is set to review some of the logistics on June 21.

According to Wikipedia, Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master and fakir and considered to be a saint in both Hindu and Muslim circles. According to the entry, Sai Baba preached the importance of "realization of the self" and his teachings emphasized a moral code of love, forgiveness, helping others, charity, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God. Sai Baba condemned discrimination based on religion or caste, according to the entry.