HASLETT, MI - Hindu Priest Kadambi Srihari blesses children for a lifetime of happiness and health, building on a tradition from one of the oldest religions in time.

But to more than 1,000 families in Lansing, Hinduism is more than just a religion.

"Hinduism is not a religion, it's a way of life," said member of the Bharatiya Temple, Aditya Sharma.

The Bharatiya Temple on Haslett Rd. carries on that way of life by providing a place for the Hindu community to practice religion, grow spiritually, and carry on traditions.

"One of the main benefits is to pass it along to the next generation so that they understand the value of the religion and where they come from," said Aditya Sharma.

It's not just tradition that this community wants to pass along, members of the Bharatiya Temple now hope to combine their past traditional ways with an environmentally friendly future.

This September, the temples lights will change from CFL to LED.

CFL lights use about 7 more Watts of energy than LED's. Although initially LED's are more expensive, they help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their 50,000 hour life span makes them more durable and cost-efficient.

"It's a major concern to save the environment. Although it is expensive to start, it will pay us in the long-term," said Aditya Sharma.

Meridian Township supports the temples move toward a brighter, energy-efficient future.

"I'm totally excited about it. LED lights help with preventing light producing, so the light they produce will stay on the site, and that's good because that Temple is in the middle of a residential neighborhood," said Meridian Township Associate Planner, Peter Menser.

Because of the Bharatiya Temple's location, the Temple's board is not only switching to LED's, they plan to install other high-tech improvements as well. But all of this comes with a high price.

"We strictly depend on donations from the community to survive, it's always a challenge to raise the money," said Aditya Sharma.

It's a challenge Aditya Sharma and the Mid-Michigan Hindu community will take, in an effort to save energy.