What is CHF's current status on the temple initiative?

CHF's position has always been to realise a temple that serves the needs of the Hindu community over generations to come. Suitable locations, land, built properties and other options to establish a temple in Cambridge are being explored. If there are any suitable opportunities, please get in touch. Our vision is to establish a major Hindu temple and cultural centre serving the entire Cambridge & Cambridgeshire region, that includes multiple cultural, educational and devotional functions with space, parking, and infrastructure. Our Trustees and the core team have been exploring every opportunity to acquire a site in the open market. 

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What are CHF's current faith activities?

• CHF organises monthly poojas to provide an opportunity for the local Hindu community to participate in a formal, structured pooja held locally.

• Twice a year, CHF runs Satyanarayana pooja where devotees can pray and perform pooja as defined in the scriptures and listen to Satyanarayana Katha.

• Annually, CHF organises Ganesh Chathurthi, with visarjan that includes Ganesh idol immersion performed in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. CHF also coordinates a Ganesh idol making workshop for kids in the lead up to the Utsav. 

• Around Shivratri time, CHF organises a dance event in collaboration with all the dance schools in and around Cambridge. Last year, 9 schools participated and more than 100 dancers of all abilities performed. 

• During Navratri, CHF partners with Dance Masti to organize Dandiya night, inviting around 250+ participants.

• CHF has a panel of priests who perform monthly poojas. They also can do poojas on individual requirements on different occasions. If any one needs this service can contact CHF

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What are CHF's current community outreach activities?

• CHF represents the Hindu community in Cambridge in the Interfaith Connection Cambridge (ICC) run by the Woolf Institute, University of Cambridge. This has enabled the Hindu community participation in the Remembrance Services held in Cambridge through presentation and readings to commemorate the sacrifices of Hindu (and Sikh) soldiers during the two world wars.

• On occasion, CHF provides speakers to present and share perspectives on Hindu faith in schools and other contexts.

• CHF has on occasions arranged for food and other donations to local foodbanks.

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Has CHF started fundraising for its temple initiative?

No, not yet. CHF's approach is to collect pledges from donors in the lead up to the project and ask for cash contribution on the basis of a winning bid or other milestones such as an accepted offer for land or other property. Should there be a need to collect cash contributions these would be deposited in an escrow account for conditional access based on project initiation.

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Did CHF work on Northstowe multi faith land opportunity?

Initially CHF was the only Hindu organisation that pursued the Northstowe multifaith land. CHF had a meeting with South Cambridgeshire District Council and participated in all community meetings till post-COVID. The discussions highlighted that it is designed to meet local needs of Northstowe residents in a new town, with a focus on neighbourhood-level community cohesion, small-scale worship facilities, and multi-faith community use.

Having considered all factors, CHF decided that multifaith land does not align with CHF's vision of building a traditional Hindu temple that would serve multiple generations to come. To avoid any potential issues in the future, CHF decided not to pursue it any more. If other organisations are interested in bidding for it, CHF will offer support to them under terms of no obligation.

 

What is CHF's position regarding the Northstowe S106 initiative led by Hindu Samaj Northstowe?

CHF is committed to supporting any initiative that aims to establish a temple in Cambridge. We're in communication with HSN and working out how best to support the initiative. We believe it is important for all the Hindu community to come together and work for the common good.