We want our own temple (From Gazette)

We want our own temple

5:00pm Tuesday 27th October 2009

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HINDUS want to build their own temple in Colchester.

Advocates of the scheme say it could bring a huge boost to the town’s economy, by attracting devotees from all over the country.

They argue Colchester Council should take the lead on the project as the temple would also be useful for thousands of schoolchildren studying Hinduism as part of religous education lessons.

Dr Atul Shah, who asked for Colchester MP Bob Russell’s backing during Diwali celebrations at Alderman Blaxill School, said the town’s sizeable Hindu community deserved recognition.

He added: “We work hard and pay taxes, we don’t steal or go to prison and those of us who are unemployed don’t claim the dole.

“We have never asked for anything from Colchester before, but now it is time we had some help.”

The only Hindu temple in north Essex is housed in a bedroom at the Clacton home of Dhirajlal and Sushila Karia.

An estimated 50,000 worshippers from across the world have come by the coachload to see its statues of gods since it was inaugurated in 1979.

The couple are now past retirement age and want to move the statues – viewed as sacred objects which ought to be on display – to a purpose-built temple.

A plan for a new temple in Clacton earlier this year proved unpopular with residents there. More Hindus live in Colchester, making it the preferred location.

Dr Shah said worshippers would be happy to raise money, but wanted the council to provide financial help or use its expertise to get Government grants. He added: “Public bodies have a duty to promote diversity. We are very much a part of the Colchester community and we don’t want to be fobbed off with some little hall nobody wants.

“We want a new building we can shape and develop and everybody will want to come and see.”

Paul Smith, Colchester Council’s heritage and culture spokesman, said he accepted there was a need for a temple, but shortage of cash meant a more workable solution would be to donate, perhaps, one of the former Army buildings which are due to become public assets as part of the redevelopment of Colchester Garrison.

He explained: “We have been actively looking at providing a multi-faith centre, where different religions could worship on different days of the week.

“Of course, there would be problems as you wouldn’t be able to leave statues on display and so on, but it would be a fair way of doing it.”

About 300 people were at the Diwali celebration last week.

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