New South Africa BAPS Temple Seeking Community Support

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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, December 30, 2019 (Randburg Sun): North Riding residents were informed how the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) temple will be built and addressed their concerns at a public meeting held on 28 November. Architect Anil Parshotom, who has been involved in building religious structures and community centers for over 30 years, said that the project will be built in the same successful manner as those built in other communities. He said, “With the migration of Hindu communities from historically segregated areas to areas in the north, there is a dire need for facilities like this.

“When we looked at the placement of the structure, we tried to place it as far away as possible from the edges of the residential neighborhood. The Hindu religion is not a loud and noisy religion, they believe in meditation and yoga, and prayers and chanting is a somber and respectful occasion.” Parshotom said that the state-of-the-art temple’s design will be centered on functional spaces to become a true religious sanctuary, integrating into the northern suburbs, but to become a true community center. Parshotom acknowledged that in a meeting with the head of the BAPS organization, that better consultation with the surrounding community could have taken place, and for that, he apologized. “There was a lot of excitement to get the project started, and in that temporary structures were erected, which did not allow for better management of sound, and for that, we apologize,” he concluded.

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