An expanding branch of Hinduism in Melbourne’s leafy east is caught in a brawl with neighbours over a plan to build classrooms for religious philosophising.

Chinmaya Mission Australia started in a modest red-brick house in Templestowe in the 1980s, but Indian migration has since fuelled growth to 18 centres nationwide and thousands of followers.

The Hindu sect has now applied to redevelop its original home on Pioneer Drive, where resident monk Vasudha Chaitanya lives and teaches about 100 people per week.

However, Manningham Council rejected Chinmaya Mission’s proposal, triggering an appeal to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Neighbours fear the development would harm amenity in the quiet part of Templestowe, which is categorised as a Low-Density Residential Zo

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