Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society (RIHTS) has reportedly acquired the building and property in Warwick (Rhode Island), a former conservative Jewish synagogue named Temple Am David, and is converting it into a Hindu temple.
Claimed to be the first Hindu Temple in the state of Rhode Island and reportedly purchased for $400,001, it will be developed in stages. It recently celebrated Makara Sankranthi.
Rhode Island temple has many tasks up its sleeves!
“Vision” of RIHTS, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization whose history goes back to 2013, includes, “Develop, promote and preserve Hindu culture and heritage.” Its objectives, besides operating the temple, include religious, charitable, social and educational dimensions; bringing people together; organizing community and services, daily worship, periodical religious services/ceremonies and festivals; providing facilities for spiritual development; yoga and meditation training; promoting Sanskrit and Indian languages-music-dance; cross-cultural activities; etc.
Prior to this Temple, Rhode Island was one of 6 states in the US without a Hindu temple and there is no Hindu temple in the 50-mile radius of Providence.
On its website, the Temple management states:
Congratulations!!!. Rhode Island Hindu Temple Society (RIHTS) succeeded in acquiring a very suitable building for our temple at 40 Gardiner Street, Warwick, RI 02888.
It is also requesting devotees to help make the Rhode Island Temple a magnificent one by donations. To donate one can click here.
Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, commended efforts of RIHTS and area community towards realizing this Hindu temple.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksha (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism.
“Ecofriendly” Temple Am David, with a history of over 100 years, reportedly included a sanctuary, spacious social hall, school wing, library, gift shop; ran a religious school and held twice-weekly services.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
