Former West Elmira Catholic church gets new life; Hindu temple set to open this summer
A former Catholic church in West Elmira will reopen its doors this summer for followers of Bhakti Marga, a neo-Hindu spiritual practice.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1100 W. Water St., closed in November 2021 was purchased in January 2022 for $240,000 by the Bhakti Marga organization based in Germany.
Since then, members of the Bhakti Marga America community have been renovating the facility, and painting murals depicting Hindu deities on the walls.
Bhakti Marga will introduce the property, renamed Paranitya Narasimha Temple, to the community with an inauguration ceremony from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3.
Bhakti Marga inauguration in West Elmira this summer
"At the heart of Hinduism lies the theme of love, and we believe that by coming together for this event...we can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for our culture, religion, and of this theme," said Sanjayananda, a novice monk with Bhakti Marga America.
The inauguration ceremony will include a range of activities and festivities, including a traditional puja (worship), cultural performances, two public dinners, and a blessing from spiritual teacher and Bhakti Marga founder Paramahamsa Swami Vishwananda, Sanjayananda said.
The prana pratishta, a sacred ceremony where the deities are consecrated and brought to life, will also take place during this time, he said.
Forging connections in Southern Tier
Paranitya Narasimha Temple will be the first such Bhakti Marga facility established in the United States, Sanjayananda said.
The temple will only have a handful of permanent residents. Sanjayananda is originally from Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in a Christian environment, he said. A friend recommended he look into Hinduism.
"It was really impactful. We talked about souls and religions," he said "I kept coming back. I learned about the meditation process."
Hindus make up about 0.5% of the population of the United States, according to the Public Religion Research Institute.
Paranitya Narasimha Temple doesn't plan to be isolated, but wants to forge connections with other faith-based organizations in the Southern Tier and become a vital part of the community, Sanjayananda said.
"We noticed a lot of people have been very welcoming and kind, and happy to see us doing this," Sanjayananda said. "We don't have a mission to convert anyone. If (conversion) happens, it's wonderful, but for us, it's just to be a part of the community."
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The Rev. Gary Brinn, interim chairman of the Southern Tier Interfaith Coalition, shares that sentiment.
"As an organization of individuals committed to interfaith understanding and social justice, we celebrate the diverse faith traditions found in the Southern Tier," Brinn said.
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Former West Elmira Catholic church will be new home of Hindu temple
