The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Activities and Schedule

Morning arti with bhajans, 10:00 A.M.

History

The facility was originally a storefront building, with an apartment above and one behind, and had been used as an ISKCON temple since 1981. During the years 1982-83, there was an effort to build a bigger temple on Central Ave. in Jersey City. Some individuals in the community proclaimed that they would not attend the proposed temple, and the effort floundered. The temple closed and was moved down Newark Ave. to someone’s private residence. Later, several individuals in the community raised money and took out loans, and in 1988, the group was able to buy the property. In 1990 and ’91, the temple was renovated, and the back apartment was converted into the worship space. During this time, fund-raising was so successful that many people were attracted to the board. Positions on the board became highly coveted, and leadership struggles ensued

Religious Leaders

The official priest of the temple is Harish Bartok. He was temporarily replaced by Mr. Rajendra C. Jani during the summer of 2001 so that he could take leave to go to India. Earlier priests have included Mr. Upendra Mehta, currently priest/manager of the Shree Sidhi Dham Mandir on Van Winkle, exactly one block away. Upendra was followed by Mr. Havendra, who was there for three years. He was followed by Harish Bartok.

Facility

The Govinda Mandir is a narrow, but deep worship space, that stretches from the full-glass storefront windows 150 feet back to the back wall, where the main murthis sit or hang behind a wooden railing. There are several different murthis, including Krishna Jaganath, Radha/Krishna, Sita/Ram, Ganesh, and pictures on the side walls of Krishna, Caitanya, Ganesh, and Sai Baba. Passers-by occasionally stop in front of the windows and face the murthis, lift their hands in prayerful gesture before their mouths, close their eyes, mutter a prayer, bow slightly, and then continue on their way.