CHELMSFORD could get its first Hindu Temple to make worship easier for residents in the city and surrounding areas.

The Chelmsford Hindu Society came together to establish the new place of worship because Hindus are finding it “increasingly hard to travel up to 22-miles to visit one.”

Now, the not-for-profit society comes together at its temporary base in Little Waltham Memorial Hall on Brook Hall for prayers, recitations, children’s activities and community lunch.

Soon, members hope to have a temporary temple followed by a permanent temple in the next few years.

In a statement, the society said: “This proposed temple will organize various rituals, puja and cultural programs, besides being a meeting place for the Hindu community.

“Starting with a temporary location, the society plans (to) have its own permanent place for the temple in the next few years.”

 Meanwhile, members are creating a database of Hindus living in and around Chelmsford, while seeking donations and volunteers.

Efforts are also being made to register the society, launched last summer, with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

 Rajan Zed, president of universal society of Hinduism, welcomed the announcement.

He said it was “important” to pass on Hindu spirituality amidst “distractions in the consumerist society.”

He voiced hopes the temple would “help in this direction.”

The society’s website adds: “Temples are the place that contains pure vibrations of magnetic and electric fields with positive energy.

“Although God is all-pervading, the fact is the omnipresence of god is not perceivable without a spiritual vision that one accumulates only through the energies present in a temple.”

Councillor Philip Wilson, who represents Boreham and the Leighs ward, attended the society’s latest event at Little Waltham Memorial Hall on Saturday (February 4).

About 120 Hindus gathered for prayers, singing, dancing, recitations and home-cooked food.

He said: “The Hindus represent a significant community in Chelmsford, it is estimated there are around 450 practising families.

“Other religions have somewhere to worship, so it’s common sense the Hindus do too.”