PHOENIX — Ground has been broken for the Maha Ganapati Temple of Arizona, which is expected to open in September 2008.
The first phase of the $1.5 million project includes construction of the 8,000-square-foot building, which will include four to six towers, the tallest reaching 55 feet.
For the second phase, artisans from India are expected to work and live in Arizona for two to three years as they hand-carve and paint the concrete temple. Accenting, carving and adding metalwork to the temple is estimated to cost an additional $400,000.
The carvings on the temple will illustrate stories and values that are important to the South Indian Hindu culture, such as the birth of a particular god or the importance of marital life.
The South Indian Hindus have been worshipping in Arizona in a doublewide trailer on 15 acres west of Maricopa for the past five years.