Hindus in NH Unite to Build Temple

The following article is from INDIA New England.

After the only Hindu temple in New Hampshire was evicted in January, a group of Hindus in Nashua [NH] is now looking to start a new place of worship.

The group has already registered as a religious nonprofit organization with the Internal Revenue Service under the name "Hindu Temple of New Hampshire Inc.," said temple president Doraswamy Subramony.

He estimates that as many as 5,000 Hindu families live in New Hampshire, particularly in the Nashua, Concord and Manchester areas.

Subramony said that most of the state's Hindus currently attend services at the Sri Lakshmi temple in Ashland, Mass., and that some previously attended the now-evicted Saraswati Mandiram temple in Epping, N.H.

"When Saraswati folded, we wanted to have something in New Hampshire," he said.

Subramony said it's difficult for people in New Hampshire to travel to the Sri Lakshmi temple because it can take an hour by car. The same was true for Saraswati, which was located far from the majority of the state's Hindu community, he said.

With gasoline prices at around $3.65 per gallon, "it's getting expensive," he added.

"That's why we want to build a temple in Nashua," he said.

Fifteen temple members and 10 Indian businesses have already committed to paying $100 per month for the next year for the temple, he said. The temple will use the money to rent a space in Nashua within two months, Sabramony said.

The Hindu Temple of New Hampshire hired a priest in January, Sri Lakshmana Sasthrigal, who currently goes to people's homes for religious functions, but will work in the temple once the space is rented.

"He was a freelance priest, but once the temple begins to grow, we'll pay him more," Subramony said.

For information about the Hindu Temple of New Hampshire, visit hindutemplenh.org.

Source: INDIAnewEngland.com

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