VHPA Launches the First Hindu Community Center in New England

Hindu Center-engineering_0BILLERICA, MA–Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA) recently hosted a Maha Yajna to mark the beginning of the Om Hindu Community Center in Billerica, MA. The center has been a longtime vision of Tej and Prem Tanden who have generously donated the land and seed financing. Construction is planned in four phases, with the first phase set to start in Spring 2015.

The Maha Yajna event was held on-site in North Billerica and drew over a hundred and fifty supporters. The program began with a Ganesh Prarthana (Prayer), Shanti Path and blessing by Pandit Bhairav Sundaram ji, who had come specially to bless the site. Abhishek of Lord Shiva started off the ceremony. This was followed by a Yagna (Offering to Agni Dev), which was ably conducted by Pandit Anand Shukla. All the 150 or so people who had come to the Yagna participated in offering of Aahuti to Agni Dev. The puja ended with Aarti and Prasad, which was enjoyed by all present. Sanjay Kaul briefed everyone present about the purpose of the community center, the construction plan and appealed to everyone for their support and contribution to the noble cause.

The Om Hindu Community Center will serve as a social, educational, and cultural epicenter for the entire community. Planned support services include a children’s spiritual school, elderly services, and a free medical clinic. The center will also be available for community activities including pujas, weddings, satsangs, yoga, festival celebrations, parties, conferences, conventions, and retreats. The building will cover 24,000 sq. ft. There will also be a roof deck for open air celebrations and havans.

Construction is planned in four phases, with the first phase set to start in Spring 2015. The ground floor is planned to be available for use by the fall of 2015. The next three phases of construction would be completed on a yearly basis, with the full project due for completion by 2018.

VHP of America is a national organization which has among its objectives to unite Hindus by instilling in them devotion to the Hindu way of life, to cultivate self-respect and respect for all people, and to establish contacts with Hindus all over the world.

Source: India New England