Awal Rajendra, Yogita, apply for Hindu temple in Grasstree Beach Mackay

A doctor and nurse behind a Mackay region GP practice have lodged an application to legitimise the region’s only temple for their religion. But the council has recommended tighter restrictions on after hours activities and any festival events.

Awal Rajendra and his wife Yogita have received Mackay Regional Council approval to legitimise a Hindu Temple in Grasstree Beach, south of Mackay. Picture: Heidi Petith

A Mackay region doctor and nurse have won their fight to keep open the only Hindu temple within a 500km radius.

Dr Awal Rajendra and his wife Yogita, the faces behind Awal Medical Centre, established the Shri Shri Radha Muralidha Dham temple in Grasstree Beach in early 2018 “although without development approval”.

Migrating to Australia from Fiji in 2001 with their children then aged four and six, Mrs Awal said the temple was as a “social hub” offering ethical education as well as benefiting emotional and mental wellbeing.

“It (the temple) serves as a centre of cultural and spiritual activities, and also as a place (for people) to practice their religious beliefs and traditions,” Mrs Awal said.

“It is a space for ceremonies and where we get together to celebrate our festivals, our Hindu culture.”

Awal Rajendra and his wife Yogita have received Mackay Regional Council approval to legitimise a Hindu Temple in Grasstree Beach, south of Mackay. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mrs Awal said it was a community effort to establish the only Hindu temple across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region, which allowed children to connect to their culture and learn traditional stories and songs.

Dr Awal said the temple was a “spiritual haven” that had welcomed hundreds of community members since opening, as he extended an open invitation to Mackay Regional Council councillors to experience the sanctuary and food for themselves.

In supporting a motion to allow the temple to stay, Councillor Martin Bella said he believed it was a “wonderful” place that encouraged virtues of selflessness and tolerance.

Councillor Michelle Green added the motion was their opportunity to have a direct and positive impact on the community with the temple adding threads to the region’s inclusive and rich cultural fabric.

The motion was passed unanimously.

The Shri Shri Radha Muralidha Dham temple in Grasstree Beach, south of Mackay, is an important cultural hub for the Greater Whitsunday's Hindu community. Picture: Facebook

The temple will be able to operate 24/7 with an allowance for congregations on Sundays from 11am to 4pm for up to 40 people.

The council stated congregations would not “adversely impact” traffic and has recommended only two people be allowed to attend the temple between 10pm and 7am, and that any festival require an event permit.

The temple hosts events including the Festival of Lights and the Festival of Colours last year, which attract up to 200 people.