Source

STATEN ISLAND, USA, April 02, 2005: With the opening of the Prem Prakesh Temple in Dongan Hills last month, Staten Island has become home to two Hindu houses of worship. The temple opened in the former United Units Building, where many congregations — including the Staten Island Hindu Temple — leased space as they built up their memberships and established themselves in the borough. Now the building is being renovated to make it more fitting as the home of what is believed to be the first such temple in the United States. Followers of the Prem Prakash Panth – or Order of Light and Love — are led by a guru. The current leader, Satguru Swami Bhagatz Prakashji Maharaji, is the fifth since the sect was founded 112 years ago in Jaipur.



Followers of the panth, as well as friends and supporters, filled the Burgher Avenue temple for its dedication ceremony on March 26. Worshippers sat on the floor around a display that included pictures of the five gurus. A red circle was painted on the foreheads of all visitors, and a grain of rice pressed into the center of the circle. A red string was tied around the right wrist of all worshippers, as evidence that they were present for an auspicious occasion.



The temple is now undergoing renovation, and is expected to reopen in June. “My parents have wanted to do this for years,” said Gita Chainani, a medical student who helped greet visitors with her brother, Vinod. “This is a huge celebration for our family.” Many of those who came to pay respects were members of the Staten Island Hindu Temple. Temple members now meet in Mariners Harbor while they await the opening of their own house of worship in Sunnyside. “At the end of the day, Hinduism is Hinduism,” Gita Chainani said as the dedication ceremony was coming to its conclusion. “It’s an auspicious occasion now matter how you look at it.”

Post Views: 636