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About Sunnyvale Hindu Temple
The Objective
As the Hindu community grew in Northern California, particularly in Silicon Valley, families needed a place in the South Bay to congregate, worship, and conduct religious ceremonies. A local temple would help youth remain connected to Hindu traditions and make participation easier for families and senior citizens.
The Team Formation
Raj Bhanot, Balwant Birla, and Rajinder Sharma took up the goal of developing a temple and community center, establishing the project known as Hindu Temple and Community Center of South Bay. In August 1991, Raj Bhanot hosted a gathering attended by Naranji Patel and associates where the initiative was announced. In December 1991, the group made the board decision to create a Hindu temple in the South Bay.
The Beginning
The working committee met regularly to plan the project. Over the following years, it organized religious and cultural functions including Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Mother's Day, building awareness and raising funds for the temple.
The Place
In April 1993, the group identified the Sunnyvale site near Fair Oaks Avenue and Highway 237. The 37,600 square foot property on 3.15 acres offered space for religious, social, and cultural gatherings. Following negotiations and fundraising, the offer was made in October 1993, and the Hindu Temple and Community Center of South Bay acquired its home on December 23, 1993.
The Journey
From its Sunnyvale home, the temple became a center of Hindu religious and Indian cultural life in the South Bay. Programs included Ganesh Utsav, Holi, Diwali, discourses by respected gurus, bhajans, jagratas, yoga training, and religious classes for children. During this period, it became popularly known as Sunnyvale Hindu Temple.
The Next Big Leap
In early 2012, the Board of Trustees began rebuilding the temple with strong devotee and public support. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 23, 2012. The temple selected 32 new vigrahas representing regions of India and diverse Hindu traditions. Construction, estimated at $3 million, was completed by March 31, 2013. Maha Kumbhabhishekam and the temple inauguration were celebrated from May 8 through May 12, 2013.