About
The Hindu Temple Society was formed in 1978 by a group of dedicated and farsighted people in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. The purpose of the Society is to provide for religious and cultural needs of Buddhists, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The Temple, named Shantiniketan was built in 1985. Major reconstructions were done in 1992 and again in 2007.
The Society is managed by a Board of Trustees and an Executive Committee. The Board is elected every two years in odd numbered years and the Executive Committee is elected every two years in even numbered years.
The Temple includes:
- Temple Hall
- Cultural Hall with a stage
- Class Rooms for Bal Vihar and lectures
- Kitchen
- Apartment for the Priest
Aarthi is performed every day at 10:00 A.M. and 7:30 P.M. Every body is welcome to attend the Temple at any time when it is open.
Numerous religious occasions are celebrated in the Temple, such as:
- Diwali
- Durga Puja
- Gudi Padwa
- Holi
- Jain Mahaparva Paryushan
- Janmashtami
- Mahashwaratri
- Mahavir Jayanti
- Mata ki Chowki
- Navratri
- Pongal
- Saraswati Puja
- Sikh Kirtan and Langar, generally every month
- Ugadi
The Priest, Pandit Anil Kumar Shukla, performs Pujas in the Temple as well as outside at the
request of devotees.
Devotees can rent the Temple Hall, Cultural Hall or Kitchen for marriages or parties. The Temple Hall is available free for a shanti path.