March 7, 2003
Source: The Beacon News
On March 7, 2003 The Beacon News reported that "the dream of thousands of worshippers at Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple of Greater Chicago will become reality this weekend, with the opening of a $2 million, 13,500-square-foot temple expansion... V. Nityanandam, a member of the building committee, said the addition is needed because of the growing number of worshipers at the temple... Skilled, specially trained artisans, called Silpies, had been scheduled to come to Aurora from India this month to complete the exterior of the building. However, because of the recent cold and snowy conditions, the arrival of the artisans is not expected for weeks, possibly in April."