A 3 million dollar Hindu Temple on a 15 acre plot was inaugurated recently; this temple was the collective effort of many like minded devotees of the Indian American community coming to fruition. This mammoth project has its roots in the year 1982 when the Hindu Temple Society was formed followed by a purchase of 10 acres of land in 1988, followed by yet another adjoining plot in 1991 and 1995. In 1998 the Bhoomi Puja or ground breaking ceremony was conducted in 2003, wherein the foundation stone was laid by His Holiness Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji. Thus the temple work was flagged off. This multi-deity temple offers a universal place of worship to the diverse styles of worship observed by Hindus who hail from different regions of India.

Kumbabhiseka was a historic event wherein religious leaders and priests of the Hindu faith from different places of the United States gathered to lead the prayers, conduct the Maha Kumbabhisekham and Prathistapanam to invoke the blessings of God on the temple, its devotees and the citizens of Casselberry. In his speech, His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, the Pontiff of the Puthige Matha in Udupi said that the significance of a temple is that Bhakti and belief in God is paramount. While the building of a grand home gives its owners a gage of their success in the world, the building of a temple serves as a beacon of spirituality. "Just as a house brings a family together, a temple brings the family of the world together and spreads the message of peace and harmony."

To bring inner peace and happiness Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji said that it is "essential that we place spirituality as the number one factor in our life and not materialism. Materialism only brings temporary satisfaction to our ego, but deep faith is eternal." Spirituality does not mean sitting and praying for hours although that is also a good sign, it means doing good deeds also. Known to be the most progressive Swamiji in South India, Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji is the President of the World Conference of Religions for Peace. He has actively campaigned against female infanticide and has established 3 spiritual centers in North America -in New Jersey, Phoenix and the most recent one in Los Angeles.

The Hindu Temple in Casselberry has been the collective effort of many active donors, volunteers and other well wishers. The fruit of this was visible in the 10,000 devotees who came to pay their respects over the Maha kumbhabhiseka festivities over 5 days. Dr. Aravind Pillai, the chairman of the temple in his message said, "This temple will always be a place of worship, a learning center and a platform for exhibition of our arts and culture…this temple will impart strength to the weak and wisdom to the ignorant. We will teach our children to respect and adhere to Indian culture and traditions." Some of the major supporters of the temple were Drs. Annapoorna and Pattisapu Jogi, T. Madanagopal, Dr. Shailaja Nadkarni and Bramha Aggarwal, Dr. Gopal Iyengar, Anil Deshpande, Ish Anaya, Madhubala Reddy, Dr. Mohan Saoji, Hasmukh Mistry, Mahendra Kapadia and Dr. Rajendra Hippal.

His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji was flown to the temple in a private jet from Miami along with other religious leaders. The atmosphere in Casselberry was one of joy, hope and a wish to promote global understanding amongst all the citizens of the town. As a token of goodwill, over ten thousand people were served with divine food.Check out pictures of this event here.