OAK RIDGE, N.C. -- Members of the Hindu Society of North Carolina broke ground at the site of a new temple in Oak Ridge Sunday.

  • The president of the Board of Directors said as the Hindu community grows, so does the need for a new temple.
  • Hindus in The Triad have been traveling to McLeansville to worship at a temple.
  • The construction committee said it expects the temple to cost around $2 million and for work to begin in August or September.

The president of the Board of Directors said as the Hindu community grows, so does the need for a new temple.

"The Triad area is growing with all the IT jobs and scientific jobs so there's a huge influx in the Indian population in North Carolina," Vijayiam Mohan said.

Mohan said Hindus in The Triad have been traveling to McLeansville to worship at a temple.

Oak Ridge's Mayor Pro Tem said the temple will be an asset to the community.

"I think a town is much stronger the more diverse it is so the wider range of people we have that live, work, and visit our town the stronger it is," James Kinneman said.

Planners are working with architects in Greensboro and India.

The construction committee said it expects the temple to cost around $2 million and for work to begin in August or September.