Hindu Temple Of Central Illinois
State Illinois
Hindu Temple Of Central Illinois is located in Peoria, Illinois. This temple serves the people of central Illinois and it is home to multiple deities. This temple was completed in late 1990s and has been serving the community since that time with multiple expansion projects.
The Hindu Temple of Central Illinois, located in West Peoria, has a history rooted in the growing Indian immigrant community in the area. Initially, gatherings and worship took place in the homes of the faithful, but as the community grew, particularly with the influx of families drawn by technology and healthcare jobs, the need for a dedicated space became apparent.
The idea for a formal temple began to solidify around 1994. The vision was to create a non-denominational facility where different Hindu sects could worship together without a hierarchy among major deities. This allowed for a wide range of beliefs and traditions to be accommodated within the temple.
Since its opening, the temple has become a significant center for Hindu faith and heritage, attracting thousands of devotees from across Illinois, and it is particularly noted as the only Hindu temple between Chicago and St. Louis. The local congregation has more than tripled in size since the temple first opened. The temple continues to uphold age-old traditions, with all rituals still performed in Sanskrit, demonstrating a connection to ancient scriptures preserved through generations.
To read more about the history of the temple you can check this site here.
Deities
This temple worships multiple Hindu deities reflecting its non-denominational approach. The temple’s sanctum features ornately decorated statues of deities such as Shiva, Vishnu and Ganesh.
The temple also houses shrines dedicated to other deities, including:
- Shri Ganesh Ji
- Ram Darbar (which includes Rama, Sita, Lakshman)
- Durga Mata
- Shri Shiv Ji
- Radha Krishna
- Shri Bala Ji
- Lakshmi
The deities were ritually installed through a four-day Pranaprathistha ceremony, which is believed to infuse the idols with energy, granting the building full temple status. The temple leadership emphasizes that these deities are given equal status to accommodate the diverse beliefs of the Hindu community in Central Illinois.
Temple Hours
It is open at the following times:
- Monday: 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM
- Tuesday: 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM
- Wednesday: 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM
- Friday: 10 AM–12 PM, 6–8 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM–3 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM–3 PM