Visitors to the Chinmaya Maruti center on Route 28 will soon be able to climb more than spiritual heights.
The Hindu worship and education center, the only Chinmaya Mission in New England, is in the middle of a $3.5 million construction project that will add two floors. It will also more than double the center's size, adding 13 classrooms, a 275-capacity auditorium, apartments for religious leaders and a copper-plated dome and steeple.
They knew it was time to expand when close to 400 children in religious education classes were meeting in hallways and even in two unfinished restrooms, converted to makeshift classrooms, said Chinmaya member and Andover resident Gopala Dwarakanath.
"I am excited because the building is going to be beautiful. But the philosophy is equally beautiful, of tolerance, understanding and multiple beliefs living together ¬— something the worlds needs right now," said Desh Deshpande, the center's chairman.
Construction on the addition began in September 2008, and donations have been coming in, despite the economic downturn. The organization continues to raise money and took out a loan to finance the endeavor.
"Every member has contributed to their limit. That's the most gratifying thing. They've stretched themselves to give to the maximum," said Dwarakanath. "Overall we're glad we started (despite the economy). We're constantly facing challenges, but somehow, by God's grace, things fall together. We truly believe we are instruments in his hands."
Through the fall and winter, Chinmaya's classes and meetings have been held at Greater Lawrence Technical High School on River Road.
Members had hoped to build the second and third floors when the center was originally constructed six years ago, but cut back after Sept. 11, 2001, and the resulting recession.
The back wall of the second-floor auditorium will be all windows, modeled after the Kennedy Library, said Dwarakanath, and will "feel like you can see to infinity."
A circular, soundproof meditation room will be built directly under the center's dome on the third floor.
Once finished, the Chinmaya Maruti center's third-floor roof will rise to about 40 feet, and the steeple and dome close to 90 feet — no taller than any other building in Andover, said Dwarakanath. The copper-plated dome will oxidize over time, turning green.
"It's so exciting to see this go up," said Shashi Dwarakanath, Gopala's wife, motioning to the steel beams that will eventually form the center's dome. "The urge to finish (construction) and help came in at the same time. It all fell into place."
The Dwarakanaths were one of three families that started meeting in 1989 with the goal of building a Chinmaya Mission. When the center was built at 1 Union St. in 2003, their group had blossomed to 75 families. Now, more than 315 families attend the center, said Gopala Dwarakanath.
After 20 years of watching the Chinmaya center grow, he said is most proud of "being able to see this building completed in my lifetime ... and to be able to see children sitting in proper classrooms, not in corridors."
Deshpande agreed, saying the construction is "exciting for the young kids that come every Sunday: Second-generation Indians that have American culture, but pride and understanding of Indian philosophy."
Gopala and Shashi Dwarakanath, a doctor at Lawrence General Hospital, have lived in Andover for 27 years and have seen their children grow up at the Chinmaya center, benefiting from its education and values.
"We want our children to be a 4.0 in life, not just in school," said Gopala Dwarakanath.
While some neighbors were concerned about how the center might affect the neighborhood when it was proposed years ago, David Hastings said even when the center holds large events, he's never had a problem, and attendees are always friendly.
Hastings has lived on Kenilworth Street with his family for 12 years and the Chinmaya center is directly across the street from his front yard.
"I'm 100 percent in support. Anything that increases the spirituality of any people, especially in these times, is good. If building a larger building will bring more people together for faith, I think it's great," said Hastings, a member of the Havurat Shalom Jewish community. "They're going to pray, and what's better than that. (The construction) is creating jobs, it's growth of spirituality.
"It's lovely, wonderful to have a religious congregation nearby. I can't think of a better neighbor," he said.
The Chinmaya center's construction is slated to be finished this summer, and inauguration ceremonies are planned for July 24, 25 and 26, including a visit from the head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, said Shashi Dwarakanath.
The Chinmaya center is always open to people of all faiths, said Gopala Dwarakanath.
"I would like to invite people to come, once it's finished, and participate in activities, share values," said Deshpande. "At the end of the day, all human beings are more or less similar. We hope to promote values for the good of this country and the good of the world."
The center's library serves as a resource for students from Merrimack College and other local schools, he said, and the future 30,000-square-foot building can serve as a disaster refuge in an emergency.
"The beauty of this is that it will be open to everyone," said Gopala Dwarakanath. "It is our turn to give back to the community."
