Vageesh Express
Hindu Temples in the United
States
India is a land of artistic and wonderful temples. Hindu
Temples have not only been great abodes for worship but landmarks of
architecture of the Indian sub-continent.
Indians who have settled in the United States look for
the same peaceful abodes to pray and worship the many gods and
goddesses. The religious landscape of the southeastern United States is
becoming more diverse, as is the population. Along with the “church on
every corner,” Hindu temples, Buddhist centers, mosques, and other religious
centers contribute to the communities of this region.
We have to
applaud the work of the many Indians who have come together to build these
temples and places of worship for the Indian population. Some of the
architectural marvels that have sprung from this hard work will make one feel
as if visiting a temple in India.
Many
temples are open daily for worship (morning and/or evening), often with longer
hours on the weekends. Some have hired one or more full-time priests,
while volunteers lead the rituals in other temples. Hindu festivals and
holy days are celebrated at these temples with special rituals, food, cultural
events, and socializing. Most of the temples also have the infrastructure
for social and cultural events.
The
purpose of this segment is to focus and familiarize the significance of each
these temples.
From Airport to Temple:
·
Head northwest from Airport Rd - go 0.8 mi 0.8 mi
·
Continue on Brown Ave - go 1.4 mi 1.4 mi
·
Turn right into the I-293 S entry ramp to
Concord/Salem/Portsmouth - go 2.0 mi 2.0 mi
·
Take the I-93 N ramp to Concord/Portsmouth - go 2.2 mi 2.2 mi
·
Continue on RT-101 E toward Portsmouth/Seacoast - go 19 mi 19 mi
·
Take the RT-125 exit 7 to Epping/Kingston - go 0.3 mi 0.3 mi 1.4
mi (3m 5s)
·
Turn left at Calef Hwy and head toward Epping - go 0.6 mi 0.6 mi
·
Turn right at Railroad Ave - go 0.2 mi 0.2 mi 0.5 mi (1m 28s)
·
Turn right at Exeter Rd - go 392 ft 392 ft 0.3 mi (0m 46s)
·
Bear left at Ladd's Ln - go 0.2 mi 0.2 mi 0.2 mi (0m 36s)
·
Arrive at 38 Ladd's Ln Epping, NH 03042
Approach to the temple is either through local routes of 27 or
125 of New Hampshire. A view of the map can found at the website.
About the Temple Campus:
Saraswati Mandiram is located on the banks of
Lamprey River in Southern New Hampshire in 100+ acres of land that is
beautifully located 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It is strategically
located 15 miles North of Boston, which is the Brahmin city of USA, 20 miles
from Manchester Airport, and 15 minutes away from the world renowned resorts of
Hampton beach. The clean environment has been maintained for providing healthy
and spiritual well being.
This property was
acquired in Dec 1997 from Christian Retreat Center with over 15 buildings on
site. The facility consists of a state of art auditorium that has 238 theater
like seats, Dining hall that holds 200 people, a commercial kitchen, wood
working shop, auto mechanic shop and a barn. There is a small recreational
center, and organic farm in the luscious Green Pastures.
Mission:
Provide a place of
worship on a regular basis to discuss the impacts of all religions of mankind
and humanity in general and to explore and promote the good in both Eastern and
Western philosophies, using the holy texts such as the Vedas and associated
texts.
·
Promote educational
spiritual and cultural activities. Establish school with the accelerated
learning model K- 14.
·
Provide opportunities for
children to participate and learn the values of Shudha Sanatan Vedic Dharma,
Indian culture and Heritage.
·
Promote the concept of
Holistic Health through Yoga. Music. Science. Medicine. Meditation and
Philosophy and to se up holistic health centers.
·
Publish, print and use any
form of Media such as magazines, newspapers, films, video, radio, etc.
·
Holistic Health, Yoga,
Dharma, Science and Philosophy or any discipline that is in keeping with the
aims and objectives of the Institution.
·
Develop institutional and
cultural exchange programs between the United States of America and other
countries of the World.
·
Set up charity and
scholarship funds to help the under-privileged.
·
Help set up charter school
in the nation.
About the Founder:
Founding
Board Chair and then Founding Director / Headmaster is Pundit R. Ramsamooj who
was born in Trinidad and Tobago and came to the US in 1984 to pursue graduate
studies in education and robotics engineering. He is well versed in Hindi,
Sanskrit, Indian music and culture. He served as a Hindu priest, counselor and
educator in the Boston area since 1989. He was an Assistant Principal of Ashram
College in Trinidad and developed and taught courses for the University of the
West Indies, and was an examiner with the Caribbean Examination Council in
Mathematics.
For
more information please visit the temple’s website: http://saraswatimandiram.org/
|| Hari OM ||
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