World Religions in Greater Boston: Home

New Year's Eve Fire Destroys the Temple

On January 2, 2004 The Union Leader reported that the Saraswati Mandiram Hindu temple caught fire in Epping Wednesday night. The fire was likely sparked by an electrical problem. Nine figures of Hindu gods and goddesses were ruined in the blaze. The temple's website has additional information on the fire and reconstruction plans. People are invited to contribute to a building fund, and the temple will continue holding religious services in the auditorium.

History

In July of 1990, Pandit Ramadheen Ramsamooj established the Saraswati Mandiram in Massachusetts to serve the surrounding Hindu community. Saraswati Mandiram offered prayer services, workshops and after-school educational programs for members' children. As years passed, Ramsamooj wanted to expand the after-school program to a charter school. After several failed attempts to receive state funding in Massachusetts, Saraswati Mandiram moved to Epping, NH in hope of finding support from the New Hampshire state government. Currently, Vivekananda Academy is still a private school. The Saraswati Mandiram community continues to grow, offering a multitude of programs for both Hindus and non-Hindus.

Building and Space

Saraswati Mandiram is located on over one hundred acres of land in Epping, New Hampshire. These grounds include residential facilities with over thirty bedrooms and eight kitchens, an auditorium, a school house, dining facilities, a health center, and an organic farm.

Description

"Saraswati" means the goddess of learning and the giver of good speech. "Mandiram" means a place where the mind is stimulated and enlightened towards the knowledge and learning that culminates in the salvation of the human spirit. Saraswati Mandiram would like to provide a place of worship and education for others to learn the values of Indian culture and heritage, and also engage in interfaith dialogues. In addition, Saraswati Mandiram has a holistic health center that promotes well-being through yoga, music, science, meditation, and philosophy.

Activities and Schedule

Saraswati Mandiram is an extremely vibrant Hindu community offering an array of programs. The Vivekananda Academy, teaching children from grades one through twelve, currently has 24 students but hopes to expand to over three hundred in the coming years. In addition to these students, Saraswati Mandiram is beginning to train Hindu priests. The greater Hindu community holds Aradhana worship every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and celebrates annual Hindu festivals such as Diwali. Saraswati Vidyalaya classes are also offered every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and Hatha Yoga Yoga classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. In the spring and summer months, members participate in study camps, hikes, and activities on the organic farm. For more detailed information on activities, please visit Saraswati Mandiram's website at www.saraswati-ihh.org.

Demographics

Saraswati Mandiram is composed of over one thousand local, national, and international members. The majority of the community resides in the New England area, many of these peoples coming from India, Nepal, Trinidad, Africa, Cashmere, and Fuji.

Ethnic composition:

Members from India, Nepal, Trinidad, Africa, Cashmere, and Fuji