Hindu temple completes journey to Bensalem, uniting culture and community
A growing Indian population and a desire to worship close to home led one Hindu temple to move its place of worship to Bucks County.
Last weekend, hundreds attended Prana Pratishtha, or grand opening ceremonies, for Samarpan Hindu Temple and Community Center in Bensalem. The celebration lasted for three days and included ceremonies performed by priests from across the country. The festivities were lively with temple members singing, dancing and playing instruments.
The temple’s journey to Bucks County had been long-awaited.
Samarpan Hindu Temple was previously located on Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia, but with many of its members living in Bucks County, the decision to relocate was made.
“We wanted to be in the heart of Bensalem because it is still near Philadelphia and a close drive to New Jersey. It is a nice, central location,” said Kirtan Patel, head of public relations for the temple.
The property on Mechanicsville Road was acquired nearly four years ago, and Patel said the temple received support from the township throughout the moving process. He said that the expanding Indian population in the Bensalem area made the township a desirable location.
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About 13% percent of the township’s population, or 4,657 people, are of Asian Indian descent, according to recent census numbers. That's up from 3,640 people in 2010.
Patel, who lived in Bensalem for 35 years and now lives in Warrington, said the temple’s opening has great significance for the Indian community.
“It makes me proud we got this opportunity for Indian representation. I have two young daughters and now they can learn the language here. It’s very important to us that kids learn about our culture,” said Patel.
The temple’s new location serves not only as a place of worship but also as a place for the greater community to gather. When building the temple there was a focus on the addition of a community center and banquet hall. These spaces will be used for events such as weddings and baby showers as well as group activities like yoga classes.
The temple also hosts a space for diversity of worship. As one of the world’s largest religions, Hinduism does not advocate for the worship of one particular God. The Samarpan Hindu Temple brings the various beliefs together as all deities can be worshipped in this temple.
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Amit Patel, a member of the temple, said he was optimistic about the new location housing the vast religion.
“The temple is now much easier for people to access. When you have easier access you are going to have more participation. It means bigger events with more participation,” he said, adding that the Bensalem temple is larger than its previous location.
The temple can also bring generations of families together with an emphasis on children’s programs. The temple offers Sunday school for younger kids and coordinates a youth group. Many of the temple members said they were most excited about seeing their children use the new space.
As a part of the younger generation, 21-year-old Rani Brahmbhatt grew up going to temples and now lives just five minutes from the new location. She said having a temple in her hometown allows her to be better connected to her culture.
“It’s really fun and exciting to have my little siblings be raised in the culture as well. It’s also very cute to see the grandparents' excitement. I think it makes them feel like they’re back in India and doing what they grew up doing. It’s a nice sense of community,” said Brahmbhatt.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem welcomes Samarpan Hindu Temple and Community Center
