Gas Prices too high? Consider Walking for short distances!!

Google realizes that considering the current Gas Prices it might not be a bad idea to go walking for short distances. It would be lighter on your wallet and might make some of us lighter too.

So what has Google Maps done? They have introduced a brand new feature on Google Maps. Now you can get "Walking Directions" in addition to "Driving Directions". For example you are enjoying a meal at Ashoka Indian Cusine in Canton, MI. For whatever reason you decide that next you want to visit the Canton Hindu Temple. So instead of driving you might want to consider walking. And if your geographically challenged then head over to Google Maps for walking directions. Key in "2100 N Haggerty Rd, Canton, MI 48187 (Ashoka Indian Cuisine)" as your start location and for destination type in "44955 Cherry Hill Rd, Canton, MI 48188 (Hindu Temple)". You can now either pick "Driving Directions" or "Walking Directions". Here's what it looks like: (information on this feature found at Google LatLong Blog)

Grand Rapids area's First Hindu Temple

Grand Rapids area's First Hindu Temple is all set to open on June 13th, 2008. Check out Western Michigan Hindu Temple website for more details.

This is great news for Indians in the Grand Rapids Area because before they had to travel to either Kalamazoo, Lansing, Chicago or Detroit to visit a Hindu Temple. From mlive.com

A group of about a dozen Indians decided in 2002 to build a temple and put in seed money. Two years later, they bought 5.7 acres at 4870 Whitneyville Ave. SE and announced plans for an 8,000-square-foot temple.

Construction began last year on the building set into a wooded hillside. About $750,000 of its $1 million cost has been met through donations. Backers are prepared to take out a loan for the rest, said board treasurer Sridhar Sundaram.

Here's a Bird's eye view from maps.live.com of the Temple Construction Site.

Canton Hindu Temple allowed to rebuild

Despite a strong opposition from the residents of the area, the Canton Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday (4/22/2008) to approve the rebuilding of the Hindu Temple.

The plan is to tear down the existing temple and construct a larger one in the center of the oblong lot on Cherry Hill just east of Canton Center Road. (via Detroit Free Press)

Temples and more Temples in the Metro Detroit Area.

Reading Nipa Shah's blog at MIIC.com titled "Calling All Asian Indian Leaders in Michigan" prompted me to write this post.

What is the point here. Why do we need so many temples. Is it that Asian Indian Population is increasing in South East Michigan. I doubt it. The region (Metro Detroit) saw the biggest decline in population amongst all the metro areas in United States (check out my earlier post on population decline). Metro Detroit saw its population plunge by 27000.

Nipa in her blog lists 5 temples. BTW Dear Nipa!! we have another Gurdwara coming up in Canton (On Canton Center, south of Palmer Road). Isn't there another Gurdwara in Madison Heights?. Then there is Balaji Temple in Sterling Heights, and then a temple in Pontiac, and one being built in Novi.

Nipa in her blog mentions that couple of friends showed up unannounced at her house "to lighten her family's wallet". This for a new Temple Project. Not sure if she gave them money. I would have not because I don't think we need another Temple!!

In times of Economic hardship, where do they expect the money to come from.....Some one please explain the logic behind this...

Detroit Metro Leads in Population Decline

In the latest estimates released by US Census, on population changes between July 2006 and July 2007, Metro Detroit had the largest decline with 27,314 folks leaving the area. Compare this with Dallas-Fort Worth which gained approx 162,350 folks.

It would be interesting to see population changes as far as Indians are concerned in the Metro Detroit Area. With Temple expansion (Bharatiya Temple, Canton Hindu Temple, Indian Temple in Novi, New Canton Gurdwara) underway in our area, one would think that the expansion is taking place because temple folks are seeing influx of more Indians.

Click here for a look on Google Maps at Population growth at 100 largest Metro Areas in United States.

New Gurdwara opening in Canton, MI

There's impressive looking Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Sahib) coming up in Canton. It is located right across from Swaminarayan Temple on Canton Center Road.

From Singh Sabha of Michigan Website:

Total project cost of the new Gurdwara is between $2.3 to $2.5 million. The building has 2 floors with approximately 18000sq ft. The 2nd floor prayer hall is approximately 9000sq ft. The building has a capacity for 2000 worshipers.

Next time when you traveling down South on Canton Center Road (between Palmer and Geddes Road), look out for this impressive looking building. Here's a picture.

Google Maps Street View of Indian Temples, Restaurants in Michigan

Hindu Temple, Canton, MI



Jain Temple, Farmington Hills, MI


Bombay Grille Restaurant, Farmington Hills, MI



Haveli Restaurant (formerly Shan-E-Punjab), Garden City, MI

Hindus Angry over Canton Township Commissioner's Urination Remark

Catherine Johnson a Canton Township, MI planning commissioner asked during a debate whether Hindu women urinate in public as part of their faith. This was said on December 3rd, 2007 at a meeting over a $5 million plans to expand the Hindu Temple of Canton. Asian Indians were very...very angry at this and their anger resulted in Catherine Johnson quiting her post.

This from Detroit News:

many Asian Indians said the question was an unfair characterization of their culture and a lie. Others complained the remark underscored stereotypes about cleanliness in India, where poverty is rampant.

About the Hindu Temple expansion plans:

The Hindu temple's expansion plans have caused controversy because neighbors claim the project would look out of place next to $300,000 homes. Members want to demolish the 20-year-old temple and build an ornate, 35,000-square-foot, double-domed replacement deeper on property at Cherry Hill near Canton Center. Planners delayed a decision this month.

Detroit and suburbs on Google Maps Street View

Hello Detroiters! You are now on Google Maps Street View. Check out maps.google.com and click on "Street View" Button. You can view street level photographs. Here's a look at Jain Temple located in Farmington Hills, MI (Thanks to Mike Pegg of GoogleMapsMania for the the tip)