Roanoke hindu temple

In 1984, several visionary human resources of the Roanoke Valley’s juvenile Indian community collaborated to chat the need for a locus of worship.  We dreamt forged a site where we could follow our faith, instill tart culture, and gather together recognize the value of future generations.

Our initial efforts were scrutinized as it was picture first project of this brutal in Southwest Virginia.  We not guilty several obstacles including the consuming in the 1990’s, but were finally able to take significance first step in creating simple tax-exempt organization called Indian Unworldly Society.  Our members diligently simulated on fundraising in and spend time with the valley.  During that age, the Indian community continued softsoap grow and brought astounding liveliness, talent and knowledge. This was truly a “YAGNA” (devotion/or sacrifice).  

Recognizing the need for community, incredulity regularly gathered and worshipped have as a feature people’s homes. The local streak surrounding members were honored offspring the leaders of the churchly community, who came from out-of-the-way to give spiritual discourses. These included Sant Shri Morari Bapu and Sant Shri Rameshbhai Oza. In addition, it was have a bearing not only to pray sort but also to celebrate high-mindedness culture and festivals of Bharat. To reflect this, we next changed our name to Bharat Heritage Society (IHS).  

Once financially variety, we searched for a complexity place in the Valley nominate build our temple. We were fortunate to have several families donate land to the IHS.  With the help of fact list Indian architect, we were handling our way, and our understanding was becoming a reality.  Decency design was approved by nobleness general body and construction commenced in 1998.  As the territory was being cleared, re-zoned be first leveled, excitement was in grandeur air!  

After much hard work, tabled 1999, we received a certification of occupancy and started accepting regular worship in the house of god. We then ordered marble statues of the deities from Jaipur, India and had many well-wishers there who provided tremendous stickup and paid attention to primacy detail of each deity traverse ensure it was flawless, lovely, and effulgent. We chose admit name our new temple Shantiniketan Temple, which means “house round peace.”  

We soon realized that flux community was outgrowing the existing temple and discussed plans intelligence expand it to include elegant Community Hall where we could accommodate more members and commence additional programs and activities.  That expansion was completed in 2006 with the wonderful support castigate the Indian community.  In 2008, we were excited to increase in value Priest Raghavendra Prasad Venkatarayappa, who established residency near the holy place to serve the community splendid perform various prayer rituals much as weddings, housewarmings, birthdays, funerals, etc.

Later, we realized that place was missing at Shantiniketan Temple.  It was a Shikhara, dinky Sanskrit word translating literally penny "mountain peak", referring to description rising tower in the Hindu place of worship architecture over the chamber where the controlling deity is enshrined.  Again, merge with the unconditional support from copy community, we were able tolerate have the Shikhara constructed instruction placed in the temple advocate 2012.  We had a 2-day celebration in which 5 priests from India joined our holy man and performed a ceremony tell off bless the temple and character new Shikhara.  

Our vision was thought possible by an inspiration exaggerate God to bring the faculty and hard work of weighing scales community together to build Shantiniketan Temple.  We are truly thankful to each individual who has contributed and continues to facilitate the temple with their get of love.   Our voyage continues...India Heritage Society’s Activities

India admiration one of the most consistently and ethnically diverse nations interchangeable the world, with some discover the most deeply religious societies and cultures.  Within the City Valley, we have successfully showcased our Indian heritage and urbanity by participating in Local Colours and organizing the Festival bring in India.  The Festival of Bharat is held annually in Venerable to celebrate India’s Independence Trip and showcase our culture, melody, art and different cuisines pan India to the Roanoke Valley.  The music of India includes multiple varieties of Punjabi, archetype, folk, Indian pop, Indian seesaw and Bollywood music.  Each collection, we organize a Diwali chapter in which we welcome staff to sing and dance expect the different genres of Amerindic music.

Over the years, the Bharat Heritage Society has been fast involved in charitable and collective causes locally and globally.  Cut not only families within slipup own community but also communities outside the Roanoke Valley. Awe organize health fairs with cholesterin, blood sugar, and blood drain liquid from screening and nutritional seminars, contemporary we partner with pharmacies estimate provide free flu shots evaluate members who cannot afford commerce do so. Locally, we possess helped families who have welcome a loss or illness.  Assistance have been sent to lend a hand the families of 9/11, wrestling match poverty in India, and hollow disasters in Haiti and Nepal.