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{{short description|Hindu Temple in Indiana}}
{{Infobox temple
| name = Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
| image = Hindu Temple of Central Indiana 2015.jpg
| alt =
| caption = The temple in 2015
| map_type = USA Indiana
| map_caption = Location in Indiana
| coordinates = {{coord|39.818597|-85.973448|type:landmark_region:US-IN|display=inline,title}}
| other_names =
| proper_name =
| country = [[United States]]
| state =
| location = 3350 North German Church Road, [[Indianapolis, Indiana|Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] 46235
| elevation_m =
| deity =
| functional_status = Open
| primary_deity_Godess =
| utsava_deity_God =
| utsava_deity_Godess=
| Direction_posture =
| Pushakarani =
| Vimanam =
| Poets =
| Prathyaksham =
| festivals=
| architecture =
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 2006
| creator =
| website = {{URL|https://www.htci.org//}}
}}{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2020}}

{{Use American English|date = February 2020}}
{{Hinduism small}}

The '''Hindu Temple of Central Indiana''' is a [[Hindu temple]] in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. Opened in 2006, it is the oldest Hindu temple in Indiana. Local public TV station [[WFYI (TV)|WFYI]] has called it "a breathtaking new monument - impressive in both scope and design, as well as a testament to the growing multiculturalism of the region." ''[[The Indianapolis Star]]'' says it is "an iconic structure that pays homage to various holy shrines across India."<ref name ="world">{{cite news|title=Thousands celebrate rebirth of Indy Hindu temple|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/06/07/thousands-celebrate-rebirth-indy-hindu-temple/28653767/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|date=June 7, 2015}}</ref>

==History==
From 1985 to 2006, area Hindus gathered to worship in the Geeta Mandal of Indianapolis congregation. The organization was based in the India Community Center on West 56th Street, which housed its [[Radha Krishna]] deities. It held weekly [[pujas]], biweekly prayers and lessons, and celebrations of Hindu festivals such as [[Diwali]]. In 1999, members of the group donated money and land to construct a temple. By 2005, fueled by rapid growth in the local [[Indian American]] population, the congregation's membership had increased to approximately 800.<ref name ="nuvo">{{cite news|title=Place of Spirit - Indy's wealth of religious diversity|url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0F7E8671E8D5D3EB&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FD0D4A5037E2D0|newspaper=NUVO|date=November 2, 2005}}</ref><ref name ="gazette">{{cite news|title=State's 1st Hindu temple begins regular worship|url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0F7E8671E8D5D3EB&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10FCB23B9CAA1E98|newspaper=The Journal Gazette|date=February 12, 2006}}</ref><ref name ="face2">{{cite news|title=AMAZING JOURNEY OF HINDU TEMPLE OF CENTRAL INDIANA|url=http://www.face2news.com/news/81669-amazing-journey-of-hindu-temple-of-central-indiana.aspx|newspaper=Face2News|date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>

After five years of fundraising, construction of the temple's first phase started by 2005 on a 13-acre site on German Church Road on the city's east side at a cost of $1.3 million. Upon completion, Geeta Mandal's Radha Krishna deities were transferred from the India Community Center to the temple. On February 5, 2006, it opened to the public for worship, becoming the first Hindu temple in Indiana. On the same day, initiation ceremonies were performed to sanctify the temple and honor its deities. The inauguration was attended by hundreds. ''The Indianapolis Star'' called the temple's first phase "functional yet spartan."<ref name = "gazette"/><ref name ="tribune">{{cite news|title=Plans set for first Hindu temple|url=https://infoweb-newsbank-com.webproxy3.columbuslibrary.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0F7E8671E8D5D3EB&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F13E8BCF68D9C44A8|newspaper=South Bend Tribune|date=October 3, 2005}}</ref><ref name="10million">{{cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/03/17/expansion-indy-hindu-temple-open-june/24939491/|title=$10M expansion of Indy Hindu temple to open in June|author=Wang|first=Stephanie|date=March 18, 2015|website=indystar|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 27, 2018}}</ref>

In 2011, the temple held a three-day ceremony to consecrate its new [[Kartikeya|Subramanya]] and [[Ayyappa]] deities. The event was attended by hundreds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurasiareview.com/24032012-hindu-temple-of-central-indiana-holding-elaborate-3-day-consecration-ceremony/|title=Hindu Temple of Central Indiana Holding Elaborate 3 Day Consecration Ceremony|last=|first=|date=March 24, 2012|website=eurasiareview|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=October 27, 2018}}</ref>

A $10 million expansion completed in 2015 added an 11,000-square-foot worship hall with 17 shrines, a skylight, and four carved towers. On June 3–7, 2015, the temple consecrated the new space and blessed the newly installed deities with a ''[[kumbhabhishekham]]''. During the ceremonies, thirty priests chanted ''[[mantras]]'' and bathed the deities. [[Indian classical music]] and dance performances were held. Outside the temple, priests on cranes blessed the new towers, and a helicopter dropped rose petals and holy water on the temple as onlookers cheered and waved. The five-day event was attended by approximately 5,000.<ref name="world"/><ref name="10million"/><ref name="digital">{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/world/new-hindu-temple-set-to-open-in-indianapolis/article/428116?doredir=0&noredir=1|title=New Hindu temple set to open in Indianapolis|last=|first=|date=March 12, 2015|website=Digital Journal|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, local public TV station [[WFYI (TV)|WFYI]] aired ''The Temple Makers'', an hour-long documentary on the temple. The program follows the temple's journey from its initial design to its inauguration. WFYI calls it "a breathtaking new monument - impressive in both scope and design, as well as a testament to the growing multiculturalism of the region."<ref name="wfyi">{{cite web|url=https://www.wfyi.org/programs/temple-makers/television/the-temple-makers|title=The Temple Makers|last=|first=|date=July 1, 2016|website=WFYI|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple was designed by architect Umanandam Nagarat and completed by 32 stone craftsmen from India. It has an entry hall with images of [[Vishnu]] and [[Lakshmi]]. Its 11,000-square-foot worship hall has 17 shrines, some of which are modeled after famous temples in India. The worship hall has a skylight surrounded by four 99-foot carved concrete-and-mortar towers. The towers have intricate designs sculpted by the stone carvers. The temple's three main shrines ([[Durga]], [[Shiva]], and Vishnu) are directly under three of the towers, and the fourth tower is on top of the temple's main entrance. From inside the worship hall, the skylight has a view of three of the towers. The shrines and the worship hall's main entrance are decorated with intricately sculpted figures representing Hindu deities and animals such as peacocks and squirrels.<ref name="10million"/><ref name="digital"/><ref name="preview">{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/2015/03/17/preview-of-new-hindu-temple-of-central-indiana/24942457/|title=Preview of new Hindu Temple of Central Indiana|newspaper=The Indianapolis Star|date=March 18, 2015}}</ref>

The temple also has a 400-square-foot ritual room, a dining area, and a basement in which Sunday school classes are held.<ref name="10million"/><ref name="digital"/>

==Deities==
The temple's 17 deities were made in India from granite and marble.<ref name="digital"/> They are:<ref name="sannidhis">{{cite web|url=https://www.htci.org/visitor-info/sannidhis|title=Hindu Temple of Central Indiana - Sannidhis|website=Hindu Temple of Central Indiana|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ganesha]], the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and luck, and remover of obstacles
* Ayappa, a [[South Indian]] deity, the god of dharma, truth, and righteousness
* [[Hanuman]], a divine ''[[vanara]]'' companion of [[Rama]]
* [[Jagannath]], a form of [[Krishna]], or Vishnu
* [[Mahavira]], a ''[[tirthankara]]'' (supreme preacher) of [[Jainism]]
* [[Sai Baba of Shirdi]], a 19th- and 20th-century Indian saint
* [[Saraswati]], the goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning
* Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, beauty, fertility, and prosperity
* [[Parvati]], the goddess of power, energy, nourishment, harmony, love, beauty, devotion, and motherhood
* Durga, the goddess of preservation, power, energy, strength, and protection
* Shiva, the god of destruction, meditation, yoga, time, and dance
* [[Venkateshwara]], a form of Vishnu, the god of preservation, reality, ''[[kāla]]'' (time), ''[[karma]]'', restoration, and ''[[moksha]]'' (liberation)
* [[Rama]], the ideal man and embodiment of ''[[dharma]]'' (righteousness)
* Radha Krishna, the combined feminine and masculine aspects of God
* [[Bhudevi]], the [[Earth]] goddess
* [[Kartikeya|Murugan]], the god of war
* [[Navagraha]], the nine heavenly bodies and deities that influence human life

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hindu temples in the United States}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Marion County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Hinduism in the United States]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 2006]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 2006]]
[[Category:Asian-American culture in Indiana]]
[[Category:Indian-American culture in Indiana]]
[[Category:Religion in Indianapolis]]

Hindu Temple of Central Indiana - Revision history

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