Local group tours Hindu temple
Fourteen members of Hainesville's Great Age Club recently joined Indira Chandra on a tour of the new Hindu Mandir, or temple, on Peterson Road in Grayslake, followed by a buffet lunch at the India House restaurant in Buffalo Grove.
"We've watched the temple being built and are pleased with the opportunity to tour it," Mayor Ted Mueller said.
Georgeann Duberstein, the club's chairman, arranged the tour with Chandra, whom she had met in a cooking class through the College of Lake County.
Chandra, who moved to the U.S. from Delhi 25 years ago, obtained a second advanced degree in communications while living in the states. She teaches Indian cooking classes through the Grayslake college and teaches English as a second language at Mundelein High School.
The Mandir tour consisted of participating in a prayer service conducted by Sri Siuagnani Ar (Ganesh), one of two priests assigned to the Mandir, followed by an explanation of each of the 19 gods stationed around the perimeter of the worship area. One of the temple's devotees joined the priest, along with Chandra, in providing the information.
Chandra explained each of the dishes available on the lunch buffet, and everyone was willing to try everything.
"It was an enlightening experience," Maureen Shipow said.