Top 1 Jain temple in Wisconsin

W243N4063 Pewaukee Rd, Pewaukee, WI 53072, United States

“Hindu temple, Wisconsin Milwaukee and its adjacent areas have a sizable number of Hindu population from different parts of India. To meet their religious demands and aspirations different Hindu groups combined and incorporated in 1996. They decided to construct a temple. In collaboration with the Jain Community of the area, they purchased land in Pewaukee area to construct two temples - a Hindu temple and a Jain temple. The main construction was completed in 2000 AD, and deities placed in the sanctum with the ceremony of "Pran Pratistha" in 2002-03. The area is sprawling with undulating low hilly terrain, with green trees and foliages all around. There is a big gate ("Torana") at the entrance, with stucco figures of Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna with His divine consort Radha and Lord Hanumana at the top. Once inside, there is a big parking area for cars, and beautiful garden all around. On one side is the Jain temple. It is a contemporary structure but with a "Nagara" or North Indian type of "Shikhara" or tower over the sanctum. There is also a smaller dome shaped tower at the entrance. The Hindu temple It is a larger structure, also built in a contemporary style with flat roofed halls, but there are two Indian style towers in the building. At the entrance there is a "Pirha" type of small tower, and the sanctum has a tall "Nagara" (North Indian) type tower. Inside, there are separate portions for different functions, with a large hall for religious or social gatherings. The sanctum has Lord Vishnu with His consorts Bhu Devi (Goddess Earth) and Shri Devi (Goddess Lakshmi) as the principal deity, but there are other Hindu gods too. There is a big "Vigraha" of Lord Ganesha, a big Shiva Lingam (the aniconic form of Lord Shiva), a "Vigraha" of Goddess Parvati or Durga. Everything is impeccably beautiful and clean. Important Hindu festivals are celebrated here on a regular basis. On the day the present author (who is a visitor from India) visited the temple, there was a festival ("Brahmotsava") going there. This was the symbolic wedding ceremony of Lord Vishnu with Bhu Devi and Shri Devi with full Hindu rituals. Hindu priests conducted the ceremony chanting solemn Sanskrit Hymns. After the "wedding", the "Vigraha"-s of the three deities were taken outside and placed on an Indian style colourful chariot and the chariot was drawn in the temple complex with great pomp and joy. It was as if the place has become a little India. For final words, it should be added that there is elevator facility here, and wash rooms are impeccably clean.”