HINDU AND HINDU TEMPLES IN USA

Today I shall try to explore and invite you all to listen to spreading of Hinduism and Hindu temples in this country i.e. United States of America .Before 1965 when Immigration and Nationality services act was adopted,Hindu presence in USA was negligible ie about 50000 plus.Afterwards as Asian Indians became eligible for citizenship the influx increased though restrictions were imposed by giving a quota per year.Hindu Americans hold the highest education levels in all communities in USA.Hinduism has changed American religious views and now 25% of Americans believe in re incarnations which is a core concept of Hinduism.

The following Saints or prophets of India visited America and laid foundations of Hinduism in  ,namely Swami Vivekanand 1893 and addressed World Parliament  of Religions. then 2. Swami  Ramtirth in 2002, visitedAmerica. In1920 paramhans yoganand visited and stayed in USA.His Autobiography became famous.,followed by Swami Prabhupad in 1960 who established ISCON  The International society for Krishna Concious ness He propagated Maha mantra Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna ,- Hare Ram Hare Ram which reformed many misguided youths of America of white origin who adopted Hinduism. There after Swami Ramdas and then Maharishi Mahesh yogi was instrumental in teaching and spreading Meditation by  giving it a scientific base as transcendental meditation In 1992 our PM Atal Behari Bajpai was instrumental in propagating Hindi and when in his presence, a HIndu priest of Shiva Hindu temple recited  Hindu Prayer before a large gathering of Americans.

As early as 1881 first temple known as Malibu Hindu temple was established.One of the famous oldest temple is Radharani temple in Austin and was established by Sri Kripaluji which is largest temple complex in western Hamisphere.Earlier about 160 years ago  a VISHNU  temple was founded at Tampa,South Pontiac and then in 1994 Michigan, in2010 Famous temple known asBhartya Temple of N.W.Indiana was opened for worship. In all at present about 250 hindu temples are located in America in different states with minimum of one temple and maximum of 30   temples in different states of Amerca. We are fortunate here to have Sunnyvale Hindu  temple, Livermore Temple, Swaminarayan temple ,Jain temple,Iscon Temple , Freemont  temple in close vicinity of our center.

The various hindu temples are Ganesh temples, Swaminaryan temples, Shiva temples, Iscon temples, Chinmaya missions, Radha krishana Mandir,Devi Mandir, LaxmiNarayan Mandir, Vedic Dharma Mandir, Auorbindu Center ,Sain Baba Mandir,Jain Temples, Budha Temples,Balaji temple,Geeta Ashrams Arya samaj Ashrams etc.

Out of about 250 temples 10+are Iscon, t,35+ swaminarayan temples some jain and budh temples and rest are Hindu temples having murties of Shiva Devi, Vishnu and of his famous incarnations Ram and Krishna Out of these temples more than30 temples are in California alone.Various Hindu temples are being constructed  and it is estimated that one temple is added every month in America. This is due to growing Hindu population and increased awareness in hindu’s of their culture , faith and religion

Om Shanti,Shanti,Shanti

Avdhesh Mathur,Senior member of ICC cupertino and Milpitas.