Umiya Mata
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Umiya Mata temples in the USA
Patels enshrine Umiya Mata temple in United States
The Times of India Bharat Yagnik,TNN | Oct 30, 2014
The first Umiya Mata temple — built at the cost of $20 million and spread over 32 acres — was commissioned in 2013 by the Kadva Patidar Samaj in Macon, Georgia.
The half-a-million-odd Patels settled in the US have started building temples of their 'kul-devi' (community deity), Umiya Mata, at a frenetic pace in their adopted land.
The first Umiya Mata temple — built at the cost of $20 million and spread over 32 acres — was commissioned in 2013 by the Kadva Patidar Samaj in Macon, a city in the southeastern American state of Georgia.
The creation of at least four more temples in different states of the US was decided upon in 2013-14, under the guidance of Shri Umiya Mataji Sansthan, Unjha.
Construction of two Umiya Mata temples began: one in New Jersey and the other in Boston. Land deals are being negotiated for two more — in Chicago and Los Angeles. All temples are being built with donations received from Patidars.
Each temple will have a community hall for weddings, community get-togethers, and other functions.
"Patels make up 50% of the one-million-odd Gujaratis in the US," said hotelier and the president of Vishwa Umiya Patidar Samaj, C K Patel. "Umiya Mataji is the kul-devi of the Patel."
Community leaders said that the chariot of Umiya Mata was taken from Gujarat to the US so that devotees there could seek blessings.
