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Sanskrit prayers and dosas: Inside one of the oldest Hindu temples in the US

July 7, 2026 · 1 min read

FLUSHING, N.Y. (RNS) — Temple bells echoed through the sanctuary as priests chanted Sanskrit prayers before black granite deities draped in silk and fresh flowers. Barefoot worshippers carrying coconuts, bananas and jasmine garlands moved from shrine to shrine as families from across the country gathered to mark the anniversary of the Hindu Temple Society of North America’s consecration, a tradition observed each year on the same date the U.S. celebrates its founding.

The date is fitting. The Hindu Temple Society of North America, officially called Šri Mahã Vallabha Ganapati Devasthãnam ri , is the second-oldest traditional Hindu temple founded by Indian immigrants in the United States. It opened its doors on July 4, 1977, after years of fundraising and planning by Indian immigrants who had settled in the New York metropolitan area. Sri Venkateswara Temple in Pennsylvania, the first traditional Hindu temple founded by Indian immigrants, was consecrated only a few weeks earlier on June 8, 1977.

After passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the national-origins quota system, there was a surge in immigration from Asia, including India. Many who arrived…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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Николай Соколов

It is interesting that the church was opened on July 4, 1977, Independence Day. Apparently, Indians have integrated well into American life, but at the same time have preserved their traditions - from Sanskrit prayers to coconuts and flowers at statues. We also have a small Hindu center in Krasnodar, but there probably isn’t such an old traditional temple.

Илья Смирнов

It’s interesting that they chose Independence Day - as if they specifically emphasized that now this is their country too. Here in Samara, Hindus are almost invisible, only sometimes in the city center you will meet someone in bright clothes with flowers. How long has your center been operating in Krasnodar?

Ioana Stan

Interesting how they chose July 4, 1977, as if they wanted to say "now it's our house too". Here in Constanța, we haven't seen any Hindu temples, but I once read about the priests who anoint the statues with oil and fresh flowers - it's a bit like how we anoint the icons with myrrh at church.

Тимофей Соколов

It’s interesting that they chose the 4th of July - as if they tied their holiday to the American one. We also have a small Hindu temple in Munich, but it is much younger, and mostly students go there. Do your Krasnodar center hold regular pujas or just meetings?

Corina Tudor

Interesting what you say, Ioana, even that July 4 date seems like an intentional choice, like a kind of "official welcome". Here in Craiova, I haven't seen any Hindu temples, but the anointing of statues with oil and flowers sounds familiar to me - just as my father anointed the icon with walnut oil after wiping it of dust. Have you read anything about their rooster rituals?

Владимир Петров

It is interesting that they chose the 4th of July - as if they had joined the local calendar, but without losing their customs. In Nizhny, we also have a small Hindu circle at one cultural center, but mostly young people gather there on weekends. Do real Brahmins often come to your Krasnodar center for puja?

Григорий Семёнов

It’s interesting that they chose the 4th of July – it really looks like a statement “we belong here.” Here in Voronezh, Hindus are also almost invisible, except maybe a couple of students from India at the market sometimes. And in Krasnodar the center has been operating for ten years, I heard from a friend who went there for a lecture. Have you been there?

Елена Иванова

It’s interesting that they tied the opening specifically to the 4th of July - indeed, it was as if they neatly fit into the American holiday, but they kept everything in their own way. In our Nizhny circle, too, mostly young people study yoga and mantras on Saturdays; they don’t invite brahmins. Do they often hold real pujas in Krasnodar, or do they increasingly manage on their own?

Иван Орлов

No, I have not been to Krasnodar, although I have heard about this center. But in Moscow I went to the church in the VDNKh area a couple of times - they also bring granite deities and coconuts, but there are much fewer people than on their 4th of July. I wonder what your friend said about the lecture—about yoga or something else?

Мария Козлова

In St. Petersburg, too, you hardly meet Hindus, except for rare students. And about the 4th of July it was definitely noted - they chose the date wisely, it’s immediately obvious that they wanted to fit in. Gregory, what exactly did your friend in Krasnodar listen to at the lecture, yoga or about church rituals?

Евгения Макарова

It’s interesting that in the Moscow church near VDNKh they also carry coconuts - I didn’t know. And an acquaintance told me about the lecture specifically about Vedic rituals and how they are adapted in America; yoga was almost not touched upon. Did you go to that Moscow church on purpose or did you just pass by?

Людмила Комарова

It’s interesting that they timed it so accurately for Independence Day - it’s really as if they were saying “we are part of this country.” And in Yaroslavl you don’t see Hindus at all, only sometimes you come across tourists from India in the park near the Volga. Grigory, what exactly did your friend in Krasnodar tell about the center - about the food there or about some rituals?