Kirksey is honored to have designed the new Char Dham Hindu Temple in The Woodlands
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS — A three-day grand opening was held for the new Char Dham Hindu Temple in The Woodlands, located at 8044 College Park Dr, from March 8th – 11th. Kirksey, working with the client, community and supporters, designed the temple to be modeled after the Char Dham temples currently located at the four corners of India. “Char Dham” translates to “the four abodes/seats,” and each represent the names of four pilgrimage places in India that are widely revered by most Hindus:
- Jagannath Dham at Puri in the East
- Dwarakadheesh Dham at Dwarka in the West
- Badrinath Dham at Badrinath in the North
- Ramanathaswamy Dham in the South
Uniquely designed with all four temples in one location, The Woodlands Char Dham temple is the only one of its kind in the world.
Inspired to build the temple after experiencing personal events in his life, president and founder of the SKAI Foundation, Dr. Surya N. Sahoo, celebrated the grand opening with his wife, Kabita Sahoo, and devotees of the Greater Houston area.
The finale of the grand opening ceremony was the pouring of sanctified water from the kalasas (pots of water) over the stupis (steeple) on the top of the central sanctorum. More than 20 priests from across the nation traveled to attend the ceremony and performed the rituals necessary, under the supervision of the head priest, Pandit Srikiran Narayanam.
Tranquil and inviting, the project site sits among the trademark tall pines of The Woodlands. The Kirksey team studied the various Char Dhams of India and interpreted that research across the different facades using brick masonry veneer. Unique in its design and ornament, each temple reflects characteristics pulled from its original counterpart and includes features such as 16 intricate wooden doors that were hand-carved in India, each weighing several hundred pounds.
Kirksey was honored to be a part of this project, and is excited to see the community embrace the temple and its members. The site, representing four temples in one place, signifies the unity of people from all around.
