Source: Seattle Times
SEATTLE, USA, February 11, 2003: Just off Interstate 405 in Bothell, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, Hindus began blessing the US$1.5 million center yesterday. The recently completed cultural center is a first for the Pacific Northwest. Since the 1980’s area Hindus have been meeting for satsang while raising money, planning and building the center. They chose the four-acre plot in Bothell for its proximity to I-405 and other major roadways, because people are expected to come from as far north as Bellingham and as far south as Portland, said Ram Prasad, a member of the group. The meeting hall sits on just a portion of the four acres, leaving room for an actual temple, they hope to have built within five years. “I cannot emphasize to you how important this is to us. For a lot of people it is a dream come true,” says Chittamuru, another member of the group. HPI: Gurudeva Sivaya Subramuniyaswami gifted a Ganesha murthi to the group several years ago to help them bring up the temple and offered advice when called upon. Gifting Ganeshas to Hindu groups around the world was Gurudeva’s custom, as he worked to help Hindus living outside India build temples for their communities.