The Vedic Cultural Center of Sammamish is expanding its presence on the Eastside with a future Sri Balaji Temple in Bellevue that will share space with a K-5 cultural school once permits and renovations are completed.

The $5.1-million, 23,000-square-foot office building on the 12000 block of Bel Red Road was purchased last summer with a $1.5-million cash down payment.

Temple Director Nanda Suta said services will be held on the weekends, freeing up the planned Vedic Institute for Benevolent Education to operate weekdays. The VCC is still raising $200,000 for interior renovations.

“This school will be opened to anyone who would like to join,” Suta said. “It’s not going to be a temple- or faith-based organization.”

VIBE will focus on vedic education, arts, culture, music, dance and spirituality.

“We need to realize that there are finite resources in the world, there are limited things in the world for people to share and to use, and we need to be in harmony with each other,” Suta said of the vedic teachings that would be incorporated into a more traditional school curriculum.

Lord Balaji in Hindu culture is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu, and is revered for answering the prayers of those facing misfortune.

Construction is anticipated to begin next spring at the Forum West building on 12501 Bel Red Road, with hopes of opening the school next fall, said Suta, and the temple shortly before then.

“We are working with the city of Bellevue diligently,” Suta said of the permitting process. “We are chugging along as best we can.”

To find out more, go to sribalajitemple.com.