Major Upsurge in Hindu Temples - Timeline Event
Time Period
06-08-1977
Description
The Hart-Celler Act in 1965 greatly expanded America’s geographical boundaries for immigration, shifting from a Euro-centric emphasis to one that allowed for more Asian arrivals -- especially those who were highly trained. This change brought many new residents from the predominantly Hindu country of India.
At first, many new Hindu immigrants worshipped in their homes. In the mid-1970s, as Hindu communities grew, they sought their own worship centers. On June 8, 1977, the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills outside of Pittsburgh was consecrated, followed the next month by the consecration of a temple in Flushing, N.Y. Over the next few years, temples opened in such cities as Malibu, Ca.; Chicago; Troy, Mich.; Boston; Middleton, Conn., and Raleigh, N.C.
Temples are only one sign of Hindu presence in the U.S. In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) became the first Hindu elected to Congress.
At first, many new Hindu immigrants worshipped in their homes. In the mid-1970s, as Hindu communities grew, they sought their own worship centers. On June 8, 1977, the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Penn Hills outside of Pittsburgh was consecrated, followed the next month by the consecration of a temple in Flushing, N.Y. Over the next few years, temples opened in such cities as Malibu, Ca.; Chicago; Troy, Mich.; Boston; Middleton, Conn., and Raleigh, N.C.
Temples are only one sign of Hindu presence in the U.S. In 2012, Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) became the first Hindu elected to Congress.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Timeline Entries for the same religious group: HinduHindu: Other ARDA Links
Hindu: Religious Family Tree
Photographs
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Sri Venkateswara Temple, Penn Hills- Wikimedia Commons- photo by Bohemian Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Ganesh Temple, Flushing, NYC- Flickr- photo by Carol Vinzant (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Malibu Hindu Temple, Calabasas- Flickr- photo by kitleong (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago- photo by Desi at the English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Book/Journal Source(s)
Lippy, Charles, and Peter Williams, 2010. Encyclopedia of Religion in America Washington, D.C.: CQ Press.Web Source(s)
https://pluralism.org/hinduism-in-americaPluralism Project, "Hinduism in America"
https://gabbard.house.gov
House of Representatives website, Tulsi Gabbard
Web Page Contributor
Sandi DolbeeAffliated with: Former Religion and Ethics Editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
