Om Hindu Community Center Phase I construction will begin shortly thereafter on a ten acre property located in Billerica. Shri Tej and Smt. Prem Tanden have generously donated land and seed financing to begin construction of the Phase I of the four story structure with the expected completion date of 2015. The ground floor is expected to become functional in 2015 for community use. The next three phases of the construction would be completed on a yearly basis with the full project due for completion by year 2018. This serene property is on the bank of Concord River on one side and is surrounded by wetlands on two other sides with a natural vegetation specific to a river bank in the first 200 ft. along the bank, after which the vegetation changes to regular plants. Hence, large parts of the property are conservation land requiring careful construction planning. The vegetation provides a ready opportunity to create not only scenic paths but to craft a natural plant museum without disturbing the existing ecosystem.

OM Hindu Community Center is envisioned as the locus of social, educational, and cultural epicenter for all in the community. Support services for families including a children’s spiritual school, elderly support services, and free medical services are planned. The center would be available for all community activities including poojas, weddings, satsang, parties, conferences, yoga, festival celebrations, conventions, and retreats. The building would cover 24,000 sq. ft. allowing activities and events to be conducted on every floor. Kitchen facilities along with a large dining hall would be on the ground floor. There would be elevators and handicapped access. There is a parking lot adjacent to the building with overflow parking available across the street. There is a roof deck that can also accommodate 200 persons for open air celebrations and havans.

The mantra, OM, has deep meaning and scientific significance. When we recite OM, it produces a vibration in us which resonates with the universal vibration of OM, and we are elevated from our mundane existence to our natural relationship with our true Self. The sound OM, when recited, vibrates at the frequency of 432 Hz, which is the same vibrational frequency found pulsating through all matter in nature. Thus, the sound of “OM” is also called “Pranava,” meaning that which pervades life or runs through prana or breath.

OM embodies the entire manifested universe as well as the unmanifest, and also that which lies beyond both the manifest and unmanifest—the Brahman--which is the changeless substratum for the changing objects of the world of experiences. To every mantra, “OM,” the Pranava is added. The mantra OM suffuses all other sacred mantras with power. Just as a living body has no vitality when the life-giving breath no longer flows through its veins, so too a mantra has no life without the addition of the Pranava.

Swami Vivekananda gives an idea of why the particular word “OM” must be employed as the syllable representative of the “thought” from which the entire universe has materialized.

“This OM is the only possible symbol which covers the whole ground and there is none other like it. The Sphota is the material of all words, yet it is not any definite word in its fully formed state. That is to say, if all the particularities which distinguish one word from another be removed, then what remains will be the Sphota. Therefore, this Sphota is called the Nada-Brahman, the Sound Brahman. Every word-symbol intended to express the inexpressible Sphota will so particularize it that it will no longer be the Sphota. That which particularizes it the least and at that same time most approximately expresses its nature, will be the truest symbol thereof, and this is the OM, and the OM only… If properly pronounced, this OM will represent in itself the whole phenomenon of sound production, and no other word can do this, and this therefore is the fittest symbol of the Sphota, which is the real meaning of the ‘OM.’ As the OM and Sphota are one being the finer side of the manifested universe, it is nearer to God.”

OM Hindu Community Center, just like the Pranava, would have the power to energize the entire community, bring persons of all ages together, serve, and support the needs of all members. It is expected to be a vibrant connecting link among all in the community that come in its sphere, just as God’s presence in the form of ‘OM’ infuses vitality in the life of all in the universe.