Hindu Temple of Siouxland to open Oct. 14

Midwesterners are accustomed tofinding places of worship tucked in picturesque country settings, and those who live near Tea may just happen to drive by the first Hindu Temple to be built in the Dakotas.

Hindu Temple of Siouxland (HTOS) is scheduled to be open Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. HTOS was scheduled earlier to open on August 26, however construction was delayed due to the unexpected amount of rain this spring and summer.

Hinduism is known as the oldest and third largest religion of the world, and has about 1.1 billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in the United States. Locally, HTOS has grown in recent years. Priest and HTOS Board of Trustees member, Dr. Dwivedi has been in South Dakota for 31 years. He said HTOS started organizing in 2009 and began discussing the effort to build a Temple. Currently the group meets at Spirit of Peace Church in Sioux Falls.

Construction started at 46656 270th St., Tea just last November. Located about one mile east of Highway 17 on 207th St., the Temple sits on five acres of land. The main Prayer Hall is brightly lit and awaiting the stone deities that are being carved in India and expected to arrive the end of October or early November. Dwivedi said there will be a special celebration for consecrating the deities.