South County’s second temple on its way

Photo by Ross Lilly, Reporter

SIKH TEMPLE Anderson’s second Sikh Temple should be open for prayer by April 13, the birthday of the Sikh religion. The Sikh religion was developed more than 500 years ago in India.

Several years ago Dr. Nirmal Mehton provided funding for a Sikh Temple on Riverside Drive in Anderson, marking the first place of prayer for the Sikh religion in Shasta County.

Now Mehton’s fellow medical practitioner Dr. Harvinder Birk has developed land and built a second temple off Deschutes Road. It is South County’s newest rendition of a Sikh temple, with a gold-colored dome top more reminiscent of the temples in India.

Anderson has proven to be an ideal place for building such temples because of its affordable and available land. Although the Sikh religion may not have the following of the more westernized religions in the area the demand is still there.

“It’s good for the area to know about the Sikh religion,” said Mehton. “It’s not growing fast, but it still has followers and it’s growing.”

The Sikh religion is defined by believing in one God, living an honest life, abolishing oppression and treating good people with respect. The religion is currently being followed by more than 23 million people worldwide, with more than 60 percent of Sikhs living in the Indian state of Punjab.

As Dr. Birk, Dr. Mehton and other local supporters of the Sikh religion prepare for the opening of the new temple, they have April 13 circled on their calendars as the projected date.

The religion originated in India on April 13, more than 539 years ago. The April 13 date opening will give local followers the chance to celebrate the religion’s birthday in the new temple.

“The new temple is beautiful,” said Mehton. “With about 9,000 sq. ft. of space, it offers more room for prayer.”