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History |
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Greater Baltimore Temple - A Historic
Perspective.
In the early 1990s, several dedicated members of the Hindu-Jain
community felt the need for a place of worship and to preservce our
heritage for future generation. After extensive community input and
feedback, it was decided to build a new temple and community center in
the Greater Baltimore area. The following are some of the major
milestones in the history of the temple:
1990- In March, the Greater Baltimore Temple, Inc. was registered as a
tax exempt, non-profit oganization.
1993- In June a contract was signed to purchase five acres of land for
$190,000 for building the temple in a quiet suburban community of
Finksburg in Caroll County, about 40 minutes from downtown Baltimore.
1994- In January the settlement was completed for purchase of the land.
In July, a contract ofr $64,700 was singed with the architectural firm,
Laurel Design Alliance, Laurel, MD to design the temple complex.
1996- In March Carroll County approved the temple plans. The first puja
was held at the temple site on receipt of this approval. Construction
bids were solicited. Six construction companies submitted the bids.
Craft Constuction Inc. of Baltimore was slected by the Board of
Trustees. In December, 1996 the Ground Breaking Ceremony was
performedat the temple site.
1997- In February a construction contract for $1,707,000 was signed
with Craft Constuction Inc to build the temple and a Community Center.
Financing was arranged with Carroll County Bank. The temple
construction began in spring. In April, the Cornerstone and foundation
laying ceremony was held.
1998- On August 9, the commmunity center was inaugurated and the first
puja (Vasatu Puja) was performed by the chief priest, Pundit Padmanabh
Joshi, to seek the blessing of the gods for the successof the temple
project. From December 11-13, the Murthi Pranaprathishta (Sthapana)
ceremonies were performed for Ganesha, Durga, Shiva Lingam, Hanuman and
Saraswathi.
1999- On May 9, the Idols of Bhagwan Mahavir have been installed, From
June 160-20, the Murthi Pranaprathishta ceremonies for Balaji,
Padmavathi, Radha-krishna, Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Maha Lakshmi
were performed.
The Greater Baltimore Temple complex is a one story building that
includes a prayer hall, deity Chambers, puja rooms, library, office,
reception area, shoe storage room, coat room, Priest room, Kitchen for
prasad prepration, warm-up kitchen and rest room facilities. The temple
hall is approximately, 3000 square feet and can accomodate about 250
devotees at a time. The adjacent Community Center and lobby are located
on the south end of the building, on the same level. The community
center is appraoximately 4800 square feet and can accomodate about 300
people. Plans exist for the expansion of the Community Center and
construction of class rooms at the lower level. Onsite praking spaces
can accomodate approximately 100 cars. |
Presidents
Name
|
From
|
To
|
Mukund
Didolkar
|
1990
|
1994
|
Dhirendra
Varma
|
1994
|
1996
|
Chitra
Naganna
|
1996
|
2002
|
Pratima
Bose
|
2002
|
2004
|
Sushma
Swani
|
2004
|
2006
|
Annasaheb
Anuje
|
2006
|
2010
|
Nagji
Sureja
|
2010
|
Present
|
|
Vice
Presidents
Name
|
From
|
To
|
Dhirendra
Varma
|
1990
|
1994
|
Chitra
Naganna
|
1994
|
1996
|
Pratima
Bose
|
1996
|
2002
|
Sushma
Swani
|
2002
|
2004
|
Annasaheb
Anuje
|
2004
|
2006
|
Atul
Patel
|
2006
|
2008
|
Nagji
Sureja
|
2008
|
2010
|
Usha Jain
|
2010
|
Present
|
|
Secretary
Name
|
From
|
To
|
Raghavan
Seshadri
|
1990
|
1993
|
Parvesh
Swani
|
1993
|
1994
|
Dhirajlal
Parekh
|
1994
|
1996
|
Sushma
Swani
|
1996
|
2004
|
Pratima
Bose
|
2004
|
2006
|
Padmavathy
Vanguri
|
2006
|
2010
|
Tapendu
Basu
|
2010
|
Present
|
|
Treasurer
Name
|
From
|
To
|
Parvesh
Swani
|
1990
|
1994
|
Jaya
Bansal
|
1994
|
1995
|
Dhirajlal
Parekh
|
1995
|
1996
|
Anil
Dogra
|
1996
|
1998
|
Atul
Patel
|
1998
|
2004
|
Nagji
Sureja
|
2004
|
2008
|
Prabir
Bose
|
2008
|
2010
|
Natvar
Rajpara
|
2010
|
Present
|
|
|
|
