JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- About 1 billion people around the world practice Hinduism, however, for the 4,000 or so Jacksonville residents in that group have never had a place to practice and worship, until now.

The first Hindu temple in Jacksonville's history is getting ready to open its doors this weekend.

On Friday, Hindu priests and others were busy readying the temple, which is located on Greenland Road in Mandarin.

A ceremony was held outside on Friday as five priest from across Florida came to sanctify Jacksonville's first Hindu temple.

With fire and water, Priest Kadambi Shrinatte Ji led the ceremony.

Others gathered to pray.

"They're praying for this divine event. All these prayers are going for this installation ceremony. So, these are all adding to the energy," Shrinatte Ji said.

For five days, priests consecrate the Hindu Idols. Once that ceremony is complete, they will worship them.

"We worship the different forms in our temples -- different forms of the one almighty. One almighty supreme being is being worshiped in the different forms in the Hindu religion," Shrinatte Ji said.

Now, the thousands of Hindu's in Jacksonville will have a sacred place to worship.

"The community is very excited and we are happy to practice in this one here," Shrinatte Ji said.

The ceremonies will be complete on Sunday morning. At 1 p.m. all of the deities will be on display at the temple.