California strip mall being converted to Hindu temple

Nevada (US), Jan 23 (ANI): A 10,000 square feet strip-mall is reportedly being converted to a Hindu temple in Tracy, California.

According to reports, construction is under way and the Hindu temple will take over the entire Tracy Plaza Retail Center, which has a parking lot about 30,500 square feet. It was developed in 2009 but has been reportedly vacant since then.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of temple management and area community for realizing this temple complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.

Tagline of Tracy in San Joaquin County, incorporated in 1910, is "Think Inside the Triangle" and its "Purpose and Vision" is to "become the most prosperous community in California". Prominent people associated with Tracy include rapper MC Hammer, football players Nick Eddy and Keena Turner, and actor Rod Lauren; while Brent H. Ives and Leon Churchill are Mayor and Manager respectively.

Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. (ANI)