COMMUNITY:
A Dream Come True: Sunnyvale Temple Completes Construction
The evolution of Sunnyvale Hindu Temple is a story of unconditional dedication or samarpan by those who had a dream, twenty-one years ago. Just as Rome was not built in a day, an institution like this cannot be built in a day either. When the goal is to build a community project with the contribution of the community and not with a bulk donation of the select few, it takes time and dedication, writes Ashok K. Gupta.
(Above): View of the newly constructed main prayer hall of Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
Man proposes and God disposes. Twenty-one years ago, in February 1992, twelve people dreamt and proposed for a Hindu Temple in the San Francisco Bay Area. With no money on hand, they held their first public event, a Diwali Mela, at the Scottish Rite Temple grounds which was attended by 800 people and collected sixteen thousand dollars.
It was the morning of March 4, 1992 when the Hindu Temple of South Bay was incorporated by a dedicated team represented by three young community volunteers. Looking for a place to worship in San Jose, they came to Sunnyvale, Calif., the heart of Silicon Valley and purchased a warehouse, paying in cash. A third of the cash was collected from donors and the rest from the promoters, who contributed in cash, by borrowing from their home equity lines and credit cards, or any other way possible. This was a loan that was refunded back to the promoters in May 1994.
(Above): View of the newly constructed main prayer hall of Sunnyvale Hindu Temple. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
The first puja commenced on Feb. 8, 1994, with Lord Ganesha’s small idol (which is still in the temple), and a framed picture of Lord Krishna in a huge warehouse with dilapidated high ceilings and stinking broken bathrooms.
The year 1999 saw the inauguration of a fully renovated cultural hall, costing $1.4 million, with a capacity to seat 1,422 people, exclusively used for discourses, cultural and family events, such as performances by local and visiting artists from India, wedding receptions and the like.
Additionally, Indo-American Society of Bay Area, an associate wing of the temple, was established with the sole purpose of supporting the temple with fundraising from events that were not part of regular temple activities, such as, Hasya Kavi Sammelan, visiting stage performers for India, and more. The funds raised were used for the activities of the temple or other charitable goals.
(Above): Exterior view of the temple received a facelift with new paint, pavement and landscaping along with the new dome. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
I have been visiting Sunnyvale Hindu Temple since 1995 and over the years, I have been witness to numerous instances of slander, accusations, incriminating email campaigns, protests by some disgruntled members of Indian American community groups, against the temple authorities.
The Indian American community in Silicon Valley has slandered the temple authorities, often accusing them of inaction and misappropriation of funds. Today, as we can see, all that was said was in vain, as we marvel the work of the temple board and its volunteers. The Sunnyvale Hindu Temple construction is complete and the temple is ready to be dedicated to the community.
(Above, below right): A dome gives the outside a temple feel. [Photos: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
 Siliconeer was invited to an exclusive preview by Raj Bhanot of the Sunnyvale Hindu Temple board, who explained the vision behind the construction, and what we saw was clearly impressive.
The management of the temple is handing over and dedicating the completed community project of Sunnyvale Hindu Temple to the community in May, this year. The current market value of the project with all renovation and upgrades is estimated at $28 million with a loan of $1.3 million, expected and planned to be paid off in a couple of years.
The temple has a capacity of 988 people at a time within the temple area, boasts of a 588 people sitting dinner capacity in its dining hall, with a state-of-the-art kitchen, having eight large burners to prepare eight different dishes by eight different cooks at a time. There are hot and cold water pipes placed at every cooking range. All new walk-in refrigerators and freezers, ice-making machine, full size pantry and store, and even a water softner are provided.
The way the flow of traffic has been designed is very practical. You do not have to leave the shoes outside the premises or at the door. There are bins made in two rooms to accommodate around 800 pairs of shoes.
Shiva Lingam area has been designed to help devotees pour water without spilling it on the floor. Cleanliness at the temple is of paramount importance and every effort has been made to make things convenient and user-friendly.
There are three meeting rooms of different capacities to hold discourses, meditation, etc. Conservation of electricity has been very well taken care of by providing sky lights in the temple and dining area.
Even with all the odds, including one from the county, a shikhar (dome), 32 ft. high, has been constructed to give the exterior a temple look and feel, while keeping in mind the close proximity the area shares with Moffett Federal Airfield.
(Above): The state-of-the-art kitchen has every possible amenity available. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
Thirty-two marble idols of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses have been ordered in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, and are on their way to their final destination for Pran Pratistha. A five-day Maha Kumbhabhishekam (temple inauguration) ceremony is planned for May 8-12, 2013 with Padma Bhusan Sri Mangalapalli Bala Murali Krishna and Ghazal Maestro Anup Jalota in concert on May 11 and May 12.
The funds collected from events and donations are used in the activities at the temple including helping other organizations, supporting and promoting sports, cultural activities, and more. Funds are also used for orphan Hindu funerals, Gita classes for jail inmates, yoga classes for community members and, seniors and kids programs.
(Above): First two sites from right are for Dadi and Shyamji’s idols. [Photo: Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer].
Diwali Mela, Holi, Mata ka Jagraata, Durga Puja, Navaratri Garba and Dandia, Ratha Yatra are some of the major events of the temple that help in fundraising. The temple gets support from other religious groups, including Dadi Pariwar USA Foundation, who are putting idols for Jhunjhunu-wali Dadi and Khatu-wale Shyam Ji, both extensively worshipped in Rajasthan, India. As the first temple of Dadi in the U.S., this will facilitate the Marwari community in U.S. and bring their support to the temple.
Interested readers are encouraged to attend the inauguration festivities at Sunnyvale Hindu Temple, 450 Persian Drive, Sunnyvale, Calif., from May 8 to May 12, 2013.
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Ashok K. Gupta is the president of Siliconeer. Since 1995, he has been closely following the growth and development of the temple. He lives in Fremont, Calif.
