Hindu Society of P.E.I. seeking donations to help buy land for new temple

The Hindu Society of P.E.I. is putting out a call to congregation members for donations to help purchase land for a new temple in Winsloe South, northwest of Charlottetown.

The society announced Tuesday that its offer on a lot at 259 Winsloe Rd. had been accepted. It hopesto build a new temple there, and is seeking about $160,000 in donations by Dec. 15 to close the deal. So far it has raised between $35,000 and $40,000.

"It had a really positive energy when we visited that lot," the society's president, Krishna Thakur, told CBCNews.

The society is currently operating a templein what Thakur saidamounts to "basically a garage off a building,"at a rented mixed-commercial space on Capital Drive in Cornwall.

He said that space, which has housed the temple for about eight months, isn't big enough to accommodate large gatherings andprayer sessions, orhostcommunity kitchens.

Although Thakur couldn't put an exact number on the society's membership, he said the temple averages between 40 and 50 visitors a day and as many as 200 people have turned out on special occasions.

According toStatistics Canada data from 2021, the most recent year available,0.8 per cent of P.E.I. residents identify as Hindu.

Hoping to raise money locally

Thakur said the Winsloe Road lot is both accessible and relatively inexpensive. It alsohas few neighbouring houses, so large gatherings would not cause as much disruption as they would in a more densely populated area.

Finally, thelot hasmuch-neededspace for parking, which can be an issue at thetemple's currentlocation.

Thakur said he hopes to raise most of the $160,000 by Dec. 15 through local donations, butthe fundraising campaign will continue after it hits that mark, as the society turns its attention to planning the newbuilding.

A community centre is also a possibility down the road, but the first step is acquiring the land.

"We are 100 per cent confident we can close the deal on time," Thakur said.