The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Hurricane Katrina Update

The Hindu Temple of Greater New Orleans was severely damage by the hurricane. The two-story structure suffered from flooding and extensive wind damage. No one was staying in the temple at the time of the storm, and the images remained in the temple throughout. Currently the leaders are planning to have the temple fully restored, but the progress has been slow. The temple had installed a new altar in 2005 and this new addition was damaged as well. The community's efforts to recruit a full-time temple priest have been put off indefinitely. Hindus who have returned to the area attend ritual services at the S.V.V.S. Temple in Kenner. The future of the Greater Hindu Temple of New Orleans is very uncertain.

Activities and Schedule

The Hindu Temple of Greater New Orleans once held worship ceremonies ("puja") every Sunday at 10 a.m. These ceremonies often draw just a few members of the community, while attendance was higher during special festival days. No services have been held since Hurricane Katrina struck the city on August 29, 2005.

Description

The Hindu Temple of Greater New Orleans is located in a suburban area called Metairie on Transcontinental Boulevard. The main hall on the ground floor has a newly imported altar with a niche for deities. The icons represent Shiva and his consort Parvati, Ganesh, Rama, Sita, the devout simian Hanuman, and Radha and Krishna. Standing about three feet tall, these brightly colored images appear, even to outsiders, most approachable as they evoke the prayers and offerings of the Hindu community. Like most temples, the prayer halls have very little furniture, thereby enhancing the prominence of the alter located against an inner wall of the temple. Devotees sit before the altar in considerable intimacy as the temple priest often performs the ceremonies in the company of a half dozen people. Services are held in Sanskrit with worshippers using a printed guide ("A Hindu Pooja and Bhajan Book") to follow along. Worshippers and guests alike receive the tilak, a red dot place on the forehead, and a piece of fruit or sweet which has been offered at the altar ("prasad"). Before the installation of the new altar service were held in the large space on the second floor of the temple.

History

The temple was founded in the 1970's and served as the primary center for members of the Hindu and Jain communities until the mid-1980s. With the construction of the S.V.V.S. temple in nearby Kenner, LA, many South Asians chose to attend services at the new temple. The Hindu Temple of Greater New Orleans is currently going through a transitional phase. In 2003 the community raised over $100,000 for the refurbishing of the temple. This will include a new altar which is being constructed by traditional artisans in India. The altar will have seven compartments for the installation of images of Ganesha, Rama, Krishna, Mahavir and two others. The funds are also being used to renovate the living quarters so that a resident priest can be brought to New Orleans. Ideally, the new priest would be able to speak English, Hindi and Gujarati, to best serve the needs of the diverse community. The oversight of these interim operations is conducted by a seven-member oversight committee.