DOCTOR IN HINDU HOUSE
GP’S PUSH FOR NEW CHURCH
FOR three years a Gold Coast doctor has forked out $2000 a month in rent to give a group of up to 30 people a place to worship hinduism.
Now, after paying $640,000 for an old furniture store in Southport, he wants to create the city’s first permanent Hindu church.
Doctor Rajesh Kumar said he wanted a longterm spiritual home for members to mingle, educate their children about their culture and enjoy each others’ cooking.
He has applied to the Gold Coast City Council for permission to turn the former Johnston St store into a place of worship.
Council is expected to make a ruling within the coming months.
Dr Kumar and friends, comprising 10-30 members, started worshipping in another part of Southport, paying $500 a week rent, three years ago.
“The only other Hindu church I know of is in Murwullimbah and it’s a long way to drive once a week so we thought we would get our own church,” said Dr Kumar, a father of two and Fijian Indian. “My family is always involved in cultural things and learning. There will be someone playing and someone learning.”
Dr Kumar, a general practioner, said if the members held their meetings at each others’ homes there would be complaints from neighbours, hence the bid to set up in an industrial or commercial area.
“If you walk down the (Johnston) street on a Saturday night it is empty so we won’t bother anyone,” he said.
“We aren’t changing the building but renovating the inside. It was quite pathetic inside after years of being a furniture store.
“We will turn it into more of a hall.”