https://www.mpbn.net/News/MaineNewsArchive/tabid/181/ctl/ViewItem/mid/3475/ItemId/22874/Default.aspx
MAINE, USA, July 20, 2012 (Maine News Archive): The former First Universalist Church of Scarborough and South Buxton is a classic old New England church, small, white, and wooden, with a tall steeple. It’s been vacant for the past few years, so it’s a little worn around the edges. But last night, the old church was brought back to life as Maine’s first community Hindu temple. It’s a long-awaited moment for many Indian-Americans, who say the temple was the missing piece they needed to complete their new lives in Maine.
On Thursday evenings, the temple is filled with the sounds of kirtan, or devotional singing. Inside, sandalwood incense infuses the room. Pews line the outside walls, but devotees sit on a rug in the center. As they sing, they face an altar that holds brightly colored flowers, candles, and pictures of Ganesh and other Gods. Vani Kancharla said until now, there was no common place for Maine Indians to meet for prayer. She said they’ve moved from house to house, or made the two and a half hour drive to the nearest temple in Boston.
There is a lot of work to be done on the temple. The roof needs fixing, walls need painting. Devotees want to decorate it with more statues and paintings. They also need to raise money for repairs and to pay back one member who loaned the money to purchase the church. Sandeep Gandra said they’ll take any help anyone can give. As he finishes, as if the gods were listening, Buxton resident Jeff Roberts walks up with a welcome gift. “We brought a symbol of OM that we bought actually when we were in India, my wife and I spent three and a half months while we were there, and it’s our favorite country to travel to on earth.” Roberts said he’s glad to see the church being put to use, and the diversity the Hindu temple brings to the area.
The Maine Hindu Temple will officially open on September 19, the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Gandra said Ganesh is the God of good luck. A fitting way to officially start what they hope will be an enduring legacy.