After 13 years of worshipping and renting space at sites across the village, local Hindus finally have a local space to call their own.

The new temple, 1300 Cunat Court, Lake in the Hills, will serve as a satellite location for worshippers belonging to the Hindu denomination of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha Midwest Inc.

Last year, village officials authorized a conditional religious use permit for the building. The property was previously Crossway Church and social service agency Northern Illinois Center for Autism.

The nonprofit serves as a “spiritual and volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity and selfless service,” according to village documents.

The temple, or Mandir, will be used for worship and prayer, assemblies, ceremonies, religious classes, scripture reading, community activities, dining and charitable events.

"With a growing number of attendees to the services in the area, the congregation was delighted to find a central location for their local BAPS Mandir," said spokesman Anand Soni in a statement. "... Under the guidance of the current spiritual leader, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Mandirs across North America are known not only as a place of worship, but also as a center for community service."

"This is the first one in McHenry County," according to Crystal Lake member Manoj Patel, who was busy setting up banners and decorations on the 2.4 acre site before Saturday's grand opening. "I'm very proud."

Patel said all are welcome to visit, and he expects 50 to 80 regular attendees at services each week.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a socio-spiritual Hindu organization with its roots in the Vedas, a collection of the oldest Hindu scriptures.

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha has more than 1 million followers across the globe, and over 800 trained sadhus, according to the organization's website. Out of these devotees, more than 55,000 are registered as active volunteers.

There's also an ornate BAPS temple in nearby Bartlett.