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Proposed Temple In Chino Hills Breaks Ground Despite Height Questions
Proposed Temple In Chino Hills Breaks Ground Despite Height Questions
Author:
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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