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Indo-Caribbean Hindu Temples in Minnesota Ishanaa Rambachan |
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A Photographic Representation of:
◊ Minnesota Hindu
Milan Mandir
◊ Minnesota Hindu
Dharmic Sabha Vishnu
Mandir
◊ Shri Gaayatri Mandir
◊ Shri Saatyam Mandir
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Minnesota Hindu Milan Mandir
1436 Highview Ave.
Eagan, MN 55121 |
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The Minnesota Hindu Milan Mandir is located in a residential neighborhood in Eagan, a southern suburb of St. Paul. A small street sign provides direction to those who wish to attend temple's services. |
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At the front of the temple, jhandis, triangular-shaped colored cotton flags on bamboo poles, signify the completion of puja to a particular form of God. Each color is a associated with a specific deity. For example, a blue jhandi marks the worship of God as Vishnu.
Jhandis are commonly displayed in the homes and temples of Hindus in the Caribbean. |
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The main altar at Milan Mandir.
Here from left to right are the murtis (icons) of Saraswati, Ganesha and Lakshmi. The altars in Indo-Caribbean Temples typically hold murtis depicting many forms of God. There is rarely a focus on a specific form. All forms are given equal importance, both in representation and ritual. |
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Another view of the main altar at Milan Mandir. In the center stands a large portrait of the founder of the Bharat Seva Ashram Sangha, Yugacharya Sreemat Swami Pranavanandaji Maharaj. Milan Mandir is an affiliate of the Bharat Seva Ashram Sangha, a religious organization based in India, with branches in various parts of the world, including the Caribbean.
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At the beginning of the weekly Sunday morning service, hawan (puja), is conducted. Every week, a different family is led through the steps by the pundit (priest). |
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The singing of dhuns (chants), and bhajans (devotional hymns) is central to worship at Indo-Caribbean temples. Here at Milan Mandir, the entire audience participates in the singing. |
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A young teenage girl leads the singing of the popular bhajan (devotional hymn), "Ragupati Raghava Raja Rama." This bhajan describes in Hindi the glory of Rama, a form of God. She also plays the harmonium. |
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A young boy plays the dholak, a traditional drum, in accompaniment with the harmonium. |
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Satya Balroop, the founder and president of the Minnesota Hindu Milan mandir, leads the singing of aarti at the conclusion of the service. To the right of her stands the murti (icon) of Durga, a female form of God. |
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A young boy waves a traditional fan in front of the murtis, during aarti. In ancient India, such fans were used by servants to provide comfort for royalty. The fans today represent respect and reverence for God. |
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At the right of the photo, a small boy blows into a conch shell or sanka. The sanka is traditionally associated with God as Vishnu. The sound emitted from the shell represents creation.
In the center of the picture, the pundit (priest) rings a large brass bell. The bell symbolically summons the attention of God to the worship. Others in the photograph bow their heads while singing the aarti.
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A young girl prepares prasad, which is served at the conclusion of the service. Prasad is an edible sweet which has been first offered to God, and then distributed to the audience. It is symbolic of Godıs grace or blessings. In Caribbean temples, prasad is usually a sweet dish made out of milk, flour, and sugar. This dish itself is referred to as "prasad." |
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Koku, a traditional Indian game is played at the weekly Shakha held at the mandir. |
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"Chor Police," another Indian game is played at Shakha. It is similar to the western game of "Cops and Robbers." |
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Minnesota Hindu Dharmic Sabha Vishnu Mandir
3114 Lyndale Ave. N.
Minneapolis, Mn 55411 |
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Front View of Temple. |
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The interior of the Minnesota Hindu Dharmic Sabha Vishnu mandir. |
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The main altar at M.H.D.S. Vishnu Mandir.
Murtis (icons of God) from left to right: Lakshman, Ram, Sita, Saraswati, Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Ganesha, Vishnu and Lakshmi. At the altars of Indo-Caribbean temples, it is common to see paintings interspersed with murtis. |
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Shri Gaayatri Mandir
2555 California ST NE
Minneapolis, MN 55411 |
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Front View of the Temple |
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To commemorate the opening of the new building of Shri Gaayatri Mandir, temple members gathered outside the temple door for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. |
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The temple president opens the service with a sermon delivered in English. To his left, is a musician playing the dholak and tabla. Behind him is a large tapestry of Ram, Sita and Lakshman from North India. |
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A man plays the dhantal, a traditional instrument of North India. This percussion instrument is played frequently in Indo-Caribbean temples of the Caribbean. |
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A young girl leads the audience in the chanting of a simple bhajan (devotional hymn). She is dressed in contemporary Indian wear. |
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The audience stands for aarti.
Women wear North Indian styles of clothing, including salwar-kameez, saris, and lenghas. Men wear kurta pajama suits or Western wear.
The mandir is festively decorated for its opening. |
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The main altar at Shri Gaayatri Mandir.
Murtis (icons of God) from left to right include: Hanuman, Krishna and Saraswati. There are also several paintings of images of God. These include from left to right: Lakshmi, Ganesha, Durga, and Shiva.
Brass diyas (small lamps) and offerings of flowers lie at the base of the murti. These will be used to perform aarti.
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The pundit (priest) at the right performs puja with the assistance of temple members. |
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Shri Satyam Mandir
3759 Fourth Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55409
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A temple murti (icon ) depicting God as Ganesh. |
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A temple murti (icon) depicting God as Krishna. |
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The main altar at Shri Satyam Mandir
Murtis (icons of God) from left to right: Shiva,
Lakshman, Ram, Sita, and Durga.
Beneath these murtis are several paintings of images of God.
The altar is lavishly decorated with flowered garlands, diyas (brass lamps), incense and decorative hangings.
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A closer view of the main altar at Shri Saatyam Mandir. |
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An elderly man leads the singing of bhajans (devotional hymns). |
