Not Many People Realize This Incredible Temple Is Hiding In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published January 11, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
Nebraska boasts some impressive cathedrals, charming country churches, and every type of church, chapel, and shrine in between. But one house of worship that many people don’t know about is the beautiful Hindu temple in Omaha. Founded in 1993, the temple serves a large Hindu population in Omaha and Lincoln.
The temple was founded to serve a growing Hindu population in the 1970s.
As skilled workers - mostly engineers and medical professionals - immigrated from India, the community recognized the need for a place to gather and worship.
Construction of the traditional Hindu temple was completed in 2004.
1. To promote and practice ideals of Hindu and Hindu based religion through worship, education and teaching
2. To strive for spiritual richness and human excellence through assimilation of values in Hindu scriptures into daily lives
3. To recognize and respect other religions and belief systems in their proper context
The temple is the site of plenty of wonderful community events throughout the year.
From holiday celebrations to guest speakers to visiting artists, the temple provides the perfect place for the community to gather for these special events. There is Sunday school for the little ones and a youth group for older kids. A yoga class meets here once a week.
Temple members work with the Lincoln Interfaith Council and with other faith-based communities in the area.
Community members are deeply engaged in community service projects and often raise money for worthy causes. An annual health fair takes place at the temple, and members often speak at schools and churches about the Hindu faith and about India.
The building itself is one of the grandest places to worship in Omaha. The peaceful environment is preserved by observing silence in the temple. Cell phones, shoes, and coats are not allowed in the worship area.
Unlike Hindu communities in some other areas in the US, members of the Hindu Temple of Omaha have found the city to be welcoming and accepting. That's good old Nebraskan friendliness for you!
Just like at any other place of worship, the public is not allowed to simply walk in and wander around. Admire the building from the outside all you want, but you can also book tours for groups of 10 or more to see the beautiful interior. It sounds like a great field trip for church groups who are interested in learning about other faiths or school groups interested in other cultures. Learn more about the temple, its history, and the Hindu community in Nebraska here.
This gorgeous piece of architecture is far from the only lovely place of worship in Nebraska. Take a look at our previous list of 20 stunning churches in Nebraska (including this one!).
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