Sri Ganesha Temple of Alaska
Hindu temple in Alaska
61°09′34″N 149°57′17″W / 61.159402°N 149.954632°W / 61.159402; -149.954632
The Sri Ganesha Temple of Alaska is a Hindu temple in Anchorage, Alaska. Inaugurated in 1999, it is the first Hindu temple in Alaska.[1] Its main deity is Ganesha. The temple also has the sacred images of Durga and Rama.[2][better source needed]
History
In 1995, a group of local Hindus started worshipping together informally in Downtown Anchorage.[3] American Hindu leader Sivaya Subramuniyaswami donated a Ganesha murti to the group, and on June 25, 1999, formally established the Sri Ganesha Mandir in rented space in the Anchorage Church Of Religious Science.[1][3][4] During the inauguration, local Inuit spiritual leaders and elders blessed the congregation with songs, chants, and drumming.[1] Approximately forty Hindu pilgrims from outside the area also attended the event.[4]
In 2002, the temple moved to a temporary location on Blueberry Road. With donations from the local Hindu community and local construction magnate Jerry Neeser,[5] in 2003 it purchased a property on Raspberry Road to become the temple's permanent home. The property was renovated, and several murtis were installed. The temple moved to and opened at its new location in 2011.[3]
References
- ^ a b c The Swamis of Kauai's Hindu Monastery. The Guru Chronicles: The Making of the First American Satguru. p. PT1040.
- ^ "Sri Ganesth Temple of Alaska Timings and Address". templesinindiainfo. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ a b c Thompson, Chris (September 28, 2015). "Chris Thompson: A visit to the northernmost Hindu temple in the world". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ a b World Book. World Book Year Book, 2000. p. 220.
- ^ "History". Neeser Construction.
