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**Lillie_Steins** · 07-02-2012, 02:20 AM

In general if a Hindu temple is being built in a neighborhood (any place in the US), there is an elaborate procedure involved such as acquiring the land, getting a permit from the city/town hall wherein several meetings are held which are open to the public and concerned citizens can raise objections, and only when all issues have been discussed (such as traffic, noise, rituals/celebrations at odd hours etc.,) a permit is issued. Legal professionals are more than willing to assist in such activities (of course for a fee). Most citizens are accommodative so long as it does not bother them. Some are even curious to attend the festivals. The Hindu temples in the US do not discriminate anybody from coming in so long as they adhere to the customs such as removing the shoes prior to entering. Overall the temples adhere to the noise ordinance, traffic rules etc. When there are huge religious celebrations and temples premises cannot accommodate parking for all the cars, they arrange for remote parking at some public lots or schools (which are paid for), run shuttle buses to the temple (hiring local transport facilities), and traffic cops to regulate traffic (economic activity).

The temples try their best to blend with the community by participating in charity events, blood drive, and many other social activities so that they are considered part of the community. Very rarely they take over other buildings such as churches which probably were scheduled to close their doors anyway due to declining congregation. Hindu temples require special construction anyway and churches are not suited for that except as temporary locations. Most of the time the Hindu temples are built in remote locations requiring purchases of very few existing homes. When that happens the people who sell those land/homes are not under pressure and they are offered premium prices for their residences. So it is a win-win situation. Very rarely some skinhead incidents occur. Once in St. Louis couple of 18-year olds threw some firebombs at night into the Hindu temple. The teenagers were apprehended later. Law enforcement officials do understand the sentiments of Hindus. There will always be some wrangles caused by fringe elements but that happens even in India. In general "live and let live" is the norm in the US.

07-02-2012, 02:20 AM	#18
Lillie_Steins Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 4,508 Senior Member	In general if a Hindu temple is being built in a neighborhood (any place in the US), there is an elaborate procedure involved such as acquiring the land, getting a permit from the city/town hall wherein several meetings are held which are open to the public and concerned citizens can raise objections, and only when all issues have been discussed (such as traffic, noise, rituals/celebrations at odd hours etc.,) a permit is issued. Legal professionals are more than willing to assist in such activities (of course for a fee). Most citizens are accommodative so long as it does not bother them. Some are even curious to attend the festivals. The Hindu temples in the US do not discriminate anybody from coming in so long as they adhere to the customs such as removing the shoes prior to entering. Overall the temples adhere to the noise ordinance, traffic rules etc. When there are huge religious celebrations and temples premises cannot accommodate parking for all the cars, they arrange for remote parking at some public lots or schools (which are paid for), run shuttle buses to the temple (hiring local transport facilities), and traffic cops to regulate traffic (economic activity). The temples try their best to blend with the community by participating in charity events, blood drive, and many other social activities so that they are considered part of the community. Very rarely they take over other buildings such as churches which probably were scheduled to close their doors anyway due to declining congregation. Hindu temples require special construction anyway and churches are not suited for that except as temporary locations. Most of the time the Hindu temples are built in remote locations requiring purchases of very few existing homes. When that happens the people who sell those land/homes are not under pressure and they are offered premium prices for their residences. So it is a win-win situation. Very rarely some skinhead incidents occur. Once in St. Louis couple of 18-year olds threw some firebombs at night into the Hindu temple. The teenagers were apprehended later. Law enforcement officials do understand the sentiments of Hindus. There will always be some wrangles caused by fringe elements but that happens even in India. In general "live and let live" is the norm in the US.
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