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Shiva-Vishnu Temple of Stockton (Stockton Hindu Cultural and Community Center) will break ground in a traditional Bhoomi-Poojan ceremony on May 12.

Land and initial building permit for this Hindu temple has been acquired, it is claimed. Besides a place of worship; it will also include community center, cultural center and a yoga center; and celebrate Hindu festivals and perform rituals, reports suggest.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, applauded efforts of Temple leaders and area community to realize this Hindu temple complex.

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple complex would focus in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism, we should focus on inner search and realization of Self.

Existing Hindu temple in Stockton reportedly conducts pujas, kathas, pravachans, Mata-chowkis; teaches Bhagavad-Gita and Hindi language classes; and celebrates various festivals. Acharya Satish Shukla is the priest.

Starting as a muddy-street gold-rush camp and incorporated in 1850, Stockton is now known as "California’s Sunrise Seaport" and contains 49 historical landmarks and has received “All-America City” award and named “Best Tree City”.  Area around Stockton grows asparagus, cherries, tomatoes, walnuts, almonds, grapes, etc., and produces prize-winning wines.  About 40 motion pictures have been filmed in Stockton including "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (Steven Spielberg) and it is known for its annual Asparagus Festival, Haggin Museum, University of the Pacific, and USA’s first Sikh Gurdwara (established 1912). Stockton, which has filed for bankruptcy, was named by Forbes magazine as "America’s Most Miserable City" and the same magazine in 2005 linked it with the worst crime rate in USA. Anthony Silva, Paul Canepa and Bob Deis are Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Manager respectively of Stockton, whose about 22% population is Asian. Prominent people associated with it include singer Chris Isaak, author Maxine Hong Kingston, and baseball player Dallas Braden.