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Proposed Temple In Chino Hills Breaks Ground Despite Height Questions

Proposed Temple In Chino Hills Breaks Ground Despite Height Questions

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Publication: Los Angeles Daily Bulletin
Date: August 26, 2005

Developers plan to break ground on the site of a new Hindu temple next weekend, though details regarding the structure's spires are still being worked out. City officials approved plans for the cultural center, dining hall and other portions of the development in 2004, with the exception of the mandir, or temple, which had initially called for 73-foot spires. A spokesman for developer Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminaryan Sanastha (BAPS) said the question of the mandir's size and the height of the spires is still being considered. "We are working with our engineer and architect in India," Govind Vaghashia said. "Once that is finalized, we'll discuss the situation with the city, and see if we can work out some solution between us and them." The developer's original proposal brought heated opposition in Chino Hills, a bedroom community (ie, a residential town where nearly everyone works in another city) with few standout str uctures. Residents who objected to the 20-acre project complained the development would draw too much traffic to the city. In the end, the city found the traffic impact would likely be limited to Sunday evenings, when there is little congestion. However, the spires were beyond the height limit allowed for that area. Paresh Patel, the project's developer, said the carved-stone mandir would still be built up to the current height limit of 42 feet. Vaghashia said that all mandirs are designed according to proportions outlined in Hindu scriptures, which call for specific proportions of height and size of the various components. For this reason, changing the height of the spires is not simply a matter of adjusting the plans, he said. Officials expect more than 1,000 Hindus from around Southern California to attend the khaat vidhi ceremony, to be held September 4-5. The ceremony is intended to bless the ground and call for the successful completion of the project.


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