Hindu Idols Stand Ready for Opening

April 21, 2007

Author: Madhu Krishnamurthy

Source: Daily Herald

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/lakestory.asp?id=304488&cc=k&tc=&t=

Life-size pieces of intricately hand-carved marble weighing thousands of pounds and depicting various Hindu deities are now in place at Lake County’s first Hindu temple under construction near Grayslake.

Indian Cultural Association leaders have set June 17 for the grand opening of the mandir, or temple, situated on roughly 20 acres at 20444 Peterson Road. They are still awaiting an occupancy permit from county officials.

Meanwhile, temple leaders are renewing their plea for donations from an estimated 3,000 Hindu families in the Lake County area. The nearest Hindu temple is about 18 miles away in Wheeling.

“We are looking for half a million more,” said Anil Aggarwal, overseeing the construction project.

Lack of funds halted the $3.5 million project for nearly three months last year. Construction resumed with the help of a $2.2 million bank loan and a few generous donors.

Aggarwal’s sales pitch is that none of the ornate Hindu temples in Aurora, Bartlett, Bensenville, Glen Ellyn, Itasca, Lemont and Medinah are as inclusive as the Lake County temple will be because of the number of deities that can be worshipped there.