The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityCenter Profile
Durga Temple (2002)
(Hinduism)
Photographs:
Description
Activities and Schedule
The Temple is open weekdays from 7:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., and 4:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. and from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. on the weekends. Pujas are in Sanskrit and Hindi.History
The group was founded twelve years ago as the Central Jersey Hindu Association. In 1998, they purchased the property, an old flower shop and warehouse on approxomately 7 acres. Until that time, communal worship took place in a devotee’s house using challa (movable) murthis (images). New murthis were purchased from Jaipur, Rajasthan. The central deity is the Goddess, Durga Maa.Religious Leader
The priest, Ved Prakaj Joshi, is trained as a tapasi, a practitioner of meditation, and also in the study of Sanskrit.Date Center Founded
May 13, 2001
Religious Leader and Title
Acharya Ved Prakaj Joshi, head priest
Mr. Ram Lal, priest.
Lay Leader and Title
Mr. Tilak Raj Sharma
Membership
300-500 people per week and up to 1000 for a festival
Ethnic Composition
Mostly Punjabi with the rest from Delhi, UP, Bombay, Rajasthan.