Where worshippers will bond over religion and more

Nagpur: Amid the dust and smoke of an industrial area on the Nagpur-Kolkata National Highway No 6, a resplendent temple dedicated to goddess Umiya has come up.
Built by Maa Umiya Charitable trust, the temple spread over an area of 15 acres has been conceived and executed by city businessman Jivraj Patel and Maa Umiya Charitable Trust. The foundation stone was laid in 2002. After painstaking labour of 450 artisans and labourers, spread over 14 years, the temple along with its other features has finally opened to the public.
The three-day pranprathishtha rituals of the idol are being held at a yagnashala located at the entrance of the temple and will culminate on Thursday with the idols being shifted into the sanctum sanctorum. Temples dedicated to Shiva, Laxmi Narayan, Ganpati and Hanuman have also been built in the precincts.
The main temple is 101 feet in height and is built on a 200x100 feet platform. The red and pink stone, brought from Bharatpur in Rajasthan has been carved locally. Three gigantic glass chandeliers are mounted on ceilings of the three temple domes. Paintings depicting divine images adorn the walls.
However, the structure has run into controversies over relevant permission from NIT, fire department and Home ministry. It has been served a demolition notice by NIT, as reported by TOI earlier.
There are some 181 such temples across the country and six abroad. Goddess Umiya is worshipped by the Kutch Kadwa Patidar samaj of Gujarat. “The first such temple is 2000 years old and is located in Unjha in Gujarat,” says Ganshayam Mehta, one of the organizers.
“Its mandatory for the followers to take darshan of the goddess after events like child birth or weddings. This temple will be visited by members of the community settled in MP, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra,” informs Mehta.
The 68 air-conditioned rooms built in the adjacent guesthouse will also facilitate big gatherings for wedding or conferences. A 15-acre pond has also been created right in front of the temple.
A huge 15ft high black granite statue of Shiva mounted on carved mountain like structure has been put up in the north east direction. “The inner portion of the mountain is a meditation centre,” says Mehta. There is also a community hall where sermons and other events can be held. A restaurant for the visitors is already functional.
During the ongoing rituals at least 25,000 people have visited the temple premises. “On Thursday we expect this number to cross a lakh,” says Mehta and informs that 650 cooks from Ratlam are taking care of the meals. “They have huge specially designed vessels and are experts in catering for such congregations.”