Construction on the Hindu Maha Devalaya and Cultural Center of Champaign is underway. The groundbreaking ceremony, held Sept. 27, marked the beginning of the building’s development.

Shiv Gopal Kapoor, administrator of the temple and professor in mechanical science and engineering, said the temple will be the first of its kind in the area. He said the closest Hindu temple to the Urbana-Champaign region is in Peoria, more than two hours north of the Hindu Maha Devalaya. The temple, located at the intersection of North Mattis Avenue and West Hensley Road, is expected to attract residents from towns within a 40 mile radius, such as Decatur, Charleston and Danville.

Kapoor said the Indian community here has been looking forward to the creation of this temple since the idea was proposed by the Hindu Temple of Central Illinois, an organization established 30 years ago.

As faculty and Indian students began moving into the area, a need for a temple or cultural society became apparent, he said.

“It was important at the time to have a critical mass to support and maintain our community,” Kapoor said.

He said one of the many benefits of the temple is the unity of members during holidays. Diwali, a festival of lights celebrated this past weekend by the Hindu community, is one such holiday.

“The Hindu Cultural Society was one way people were getting together to celebrate annual Diwali functions and other activities,” Kapoor said. “One of the things we were hoping for (in making the temple) was to have a place to have Diwali. We’d have a nice temple for its celebration for all different sects. We want everyone to participate.”

Students said they hope to use the temple for future celebrations of Diwali and other festivals.

Vaish Shastry, president of the registered student organization Indian Student Association, said students usually celebrate Diwali with Diwali Night, planned this year for Nov. 7, and with the lighting of the Quad, which took place Monday.

“Temples in America usually celebrate the occasion by lighting up fireworks, lighting up firecrackers,” Shastry said. “The temple would be a place to congregate people. So instead of being on the Quad for Diwali, which is a rather religious holiday, people could be in the temple, and I think that would be the central point of the holiday.”

Prannoy Suraneni, graduate student, said students at the University have participated in the lighting of the Quad for about five years. He added that he was especially excited for the temple to be available for Diwali celebrations next year.

“Going to the temple makes you feel closer to divinity,” Suraneni said.

He said students will still plan a Quad lighting because of the unity and tradition it provides for the student body. Suraneni added that students will also visit the temple because of the focus on the religious aspects of the holiday.