Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam (Hindu Temple Society of North America Ganesh Temple)

According to the temple, the Hindu Temple Society of North America was incorporated in New York State on 26 January 1970. It then acquired a site from a non-functioning Russian Orthodox church in Flushing. Daily rituals and weekend services were held in a small frame house with volunteer priests until the present building, designed according to the Agama Shastras, was completed in early 1977 (Hindu Temple Society of North America, Temple History).

The temple was consecrated on 4 July 1977, United States Independence Day. The temple records that Sri La Sri Pandrimalai Swamigal of Madras prepared twenty-six yantras for the temple, performing pujas for them over five years before they were installed on that day (Hindu Temple Society of North America, Temple History). Forgotten New York and Religion News Service also give 4 July 1977 as the opening date (Forgotten New York; Religion News Service via Hindu Press International).

Forgotten New York says Flushing was chosen because it was a gateway for Indian immigrants, because many Hindus in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area could reach it on foot or by one bus or subway fare, and because a suitable site could be bought (Forgotten New York). The temple's school, the Ganesha Patasala, was established in 1998 (Religion News Service via Hindu Press International). In April 2022 the stretch of Bowne Street outside the temple was co-named Ganesh Temple Street at a ceremony attended by the Consul General of India and the Queens Borough President (The Tribune/PTI).

Architecture and sacred features

The temple is built in a South Indian style. The Knight News (Queens College) reports that skilled craftsmen and temple builders were brought from India to realise the design, and Forgotten New York describes it as built largely of imported materials by artisans from India (The Knight News; Forgotten New York). The temple states that it used granite stones imported from India and that its design follows the Agama Shastras (Hindu Temple Society of North America, Temple History).

The main hall houses the central Ganesha sanctum and surrounding shrines; the community centre in the same complex includes an auditorium, the Lakshmi and Parvati halls, and the canteen (Hindu Temple Society of North America).