Tri-State Hindu community celebrates opening of new temple in Newburgh

Rayonna Burton-Jernigan, Evansville Courier & Press
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NEWBURGH − After five years of construction, a new place of worship in the area is open to the public following a three-day festival.

Located in Newburgh close to Castle High School, the Tri-State Hindu Temple & Cultural Center opened a new facility in front of its previous one.

Opening its doors last Friday, the temple hosted events from sunrise to sunset with food, dance, music and chanting.

It's a point of pride for a growing population.

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The outside of the temple is a white brick with four pillars and corners dedicated to the different parts of India. As visitors walk up to the temple, the first thing they will see is the large wooden pole in the walkway leading to the entrance.

Worshipers gather at the Tri-State Hindu Temple in Newburgh, Ind., Sunday morning, Oct. 16, 2022. It was the final day of the temple inauguration and the Prana Pratishtha festival.
Worshipers gather at the Tri-State Hindu Temple in Newburgh, Ind., Sunday morning, Oct. 16, 2022. It was the final day of the temple inauguration and the Prana Pratishtha festival.

Seen in mostly southern Indian temples, it's thought to be a beacon for energy and vibrations.

Around the pole, there's a tapestry of Ganesha wrapped in marigold flowers with a saffron flag with the Hindi Om symbol sitting on top of the garland. At the base rests a yantra and gold plate with fruit for the deity.

"The yantra is put at the base to help attract the positive divine cosmic energy, so that's why it's right in front of the door," said Karuna Pandit, chair of the Temple's Education Committee, who has been involved since the original Newburgh temple's opening in 2006.

Further up the walkway sits two elephant statues draped in marigolds and traditional wrap skirts. They stand as protectors for anyone walking in. Dozens of pairs of shoes were laid out between them and the flower-painted stairs that led into the entrance of the temple.

The doors to the temple are full of pink flowers, creating a walkway into white marble floor.

For the opening, members of the congregation wore vibrant colors of red, blue, white, green and yellow, in contrasting the pink flowers surrounding them.

Surendra Mishra, temple priest at the Tri-State Hindu Temple, far left, and other visiting priests begin the 3-day Prana Pratishtha festival for the blessing of the temple in Newburgh, Ind., Friday morning, Oct. 14, 2022. The ceremony involves inviting the deities to live inside the temple to bring it to life.
Surendra Mishra, temple priest at the Tri-State Hindu Temple, far left, and other visiting priests begin the 3-day Prana Pratishtha festival for the blessing of the temple in Newburgh, Ind., Friday morning, Oct. 14, 2022. The ceremony involves inviting the deities to live inside the temple to bring it to life.

Inside the temple, members stood on the marble floor chanting and clapping. In the center, the skyline window was surrounded by marigold garlands with paper birds, rosebuds, and bulls attached.

Towards the back stood large statues of Ganesha and several other deities draped in flowers, wraps and fruit.

Members sat on the floor or stood around listening to the priest as he led them through chants.

Instead of demolishing the old temple, it's now set aside for use by children and for larger events. It will host Sunday School, dance recitals and any other events designated to the kids.

Saanvi Mishra, 10, center, tries to conceal her laughter during a skit at the Tri-State Hindu Temple in Newburgh, Ind., Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2022. The temple's young people were singing, dancing and acting as part of the 3-day Prana Pratishtha festival.
Saanvi Mishra, 10, center, tries to conceal her laughter during a skit at the Tri-State Hindu Temple in Newburgh, Ind., Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2022. The temple's young people were singing, dancing and acting as part of the 3-day Prana Pratishtha festival.

"We expect more people with a bigger, better temple (that) more people can come in, and (bring) their kids to learn about the culture and stay in the community," said Nilesh Sangoi, member of the temple's registration and fundraising committee.

The temple serves as a gathering place for the Tri-State's Hindu community, with members coming in from Evansville, Owensboro and Henderson, among other cities and towns. The nearest other temples are in Louisville, Kentucky, and Carbondale, Illinois.

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Newburgh's new temple could also help keep more young Hindus in the area as adults, Sangoi said.

"When you have two competing (job) offers, and one city has a temple like this compared to the other city which doesn't have one, it might sway them more towards this area," he said.

Aakrash Patil, left, Inchara Patil, center, and Hina Amin take part in the blessing of a cow – a revered animal in the Hindu religion – at the Tri-State Hindu Temple in Newburgh, Ind., Sunday morning, Oct. 16, 2022. It was the third and final day of the temple inauguration and the Prana Pratishtha festival. "I was amazed," Tyler Kruse of Lynnville, Ind., said of his 2-year-old black Angus heifer behaving so well during the blessing. "I didn't expect that."

And with the new temple comes optimism.

"We just hope to come and pray together as many times as we can and celebrate our festivals and just unite the community," said Pandit.

The temple is open to anyone looking to worship or learn more about Hinduism. For more information about the temple, visit their website at tristatehindutemple.org

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Evansville-area Hindu temple opens near Newburgh, Indiana