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August 30, 2004

New Sikh Temple in San Jose

While Manish reports on the celebrations @ Amritsar, in local news, the Bay Area Sikh's have opened the nation's largest Gurdwara in San Jose - MercuryNews.com | 08/28/2004 | Gurdwara facts

The new San Jose gurdwara will be the largest and most expensive in the country. The Bay Area is home to four other Sikh temples, in Hayward, Pittsburg, El Sobrante and Fremont. Fremont's temple, built in 1991 for $1.8 million, had been the nation's largest. The San Jose gurdwara: Cost $10 million, which was collected over 10 years. Was paid for with $6.75 million from the sale of its former home on Quimby Road, and $4.36 million from individual loans and donations from the Sikh community. Encompasses three buildings that total 20,000 square feet on 40 acres in the Evergreen district.

When planned, the Gurdwara raised some controversy -

Plans for the 40-acre property sparked controversy when Sikhs first unveiled their goal to move from the old temple on Quimby Road. A vocal minority of neighbors feared there would be traffic and noise headaches and criticized the magnitude of the project, which was scaled back to meet some of the concerns. Public hearings in San Jose lasted late into the night and at times erupted into name-calling. Protesters carried signs reading ``No Sikh Jose.''

But all's well that ends well -

``I'm very emotional,'' said Amrit Singh Sachdev, 49, a computer engineer. ``This is bringing back memories for me, when the whole street shuts down, just like in India.'' The ceremony, which drew about 7,000 guests, signified a happy chapter in a rocky journey that began in the early 1990s.

Whole streets shut down like in India? Well, I suppose there's always a temple opening up somewhere....

vinod on August 30, 2004 06:34 AM in · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post



11 comments

 1 · Mandep Singh on October 16, 2004 10:15 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

u could put the address of it


 2 · Dot on October 16, 2004 10:37 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

via google:

Sikh Gurdwara - San Jose

Location:
2785 Quimby Rd
San Jose, CA 95148-2915

Contact:
Phone: (408) 274-9373


 3 · Tanu on March 9, 2005 01:48 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Can you please post any pictures from the ceremony of the new Gurudwara in San jose


 4 · amandeep on March 25, 2005 03:57 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

can we do community service at the temple and who can we talk to and can you give me their #

Thank you very much:)


 5 · jeeta on March 25, 2005 03:59 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

i love the skih temple cuz it is so fun to be up there and i love my GURS.


 6 · Hardeep on March 25, 2005 04:02 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

The San Joes Gurdwara is a very nice place to be when you want to visit our Gurs. This Gurdwara
is so beautiful. I love being there every time i am there.

Can we have our community Service there pleace?


Thnak you Very, very much.
Love from our Gurs,
Hardeep


 7 · Tanu on July 21, 2005 07:11 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I saw a guy there on the day it opened........very religious....who I happened to have seen again few days ago......if u r tht person....contact me!:)
P.S very great depiction of our pride in religion is what this gurdwara shows


 8 · Sonia on January 23, 2006 01:52 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

In case anyone stumbles on this looking for the Gurdwara - this is their website:

http://www.sikhgurdwarasj.org/


 9 · Raj on January 11, 2008 01:47 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Many of the people at this temple are crooks looking to steal peoples money. Don't be fooled. God is in you heart and by the good deeds one does. I have seen how these priests take money from innocent people. Sadly most decent people don't get involved with temple politics and association. Those that do get involved have often done so for completely selfish reasons. It is today a business. I am dissapointed with these "leaders" of Sikh religion.


 10 · Balbir on January 11, 2008 02:46 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Overall a filthy place full of rats and flys due to very unhygenic conditions. Very dirty place. Maybe the health dept. should pay a visit there.


 11 · mAtt on July 31, 2008 09:36 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

hindo with the name balbir ur mother is the dirtiest place in the world.


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