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STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, November 27, 2004: In February of 2005, the 500 family Hindu community of Staten Island are anticipating the opening of their 2,400 square foot temple. It is dedicated to Lord Rama, the Lord of righteousness. The news release explains, “The first floor will have a coat and shoe room, facilities for ritual hand-washing, a community hall that will double as classroom space, an office for the priest and a kitchen. The worship sanctuary will be on the second floor. The main icon, Lord Rama, will face East to catch the breeze and the sunlight. Members of the congregation raised most of the funds themselves, collecting close to $200,000 at a fund-raising dinner earlier this month. The temple also received a grant from the Richmond County Savings Foundation and plans to honor all those who donate $1,000 or more with a permanent inscription on a wall of the temple’s ground floor.” Dr. Samala Swamy of Todt Hill says, “We envisioned this for so many years and we kept looking for a place. Now, we have our place.” Dr. Ramachandran Nair, a trustee of the temple adds, “This is not going to be a Hindu private club. This is for all Staten Islanders and others who believe in the true value of life.” The article also mentions that members of the congregation who are physicians participate in the annual Islandwide Community Days project which provides a variety of health care services at no charge to fellow islanders.

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