Holi for Future Generations

During our experiences with the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana, we were introduced to Raj*, a community member and founder of the Temple. Raj told us  about the Hindu faith and the inner-workings of the Hindu religion. We were fascinated by his explanation of Hinduism and wanted to learn more about it. We decided…

Aarti – The Cornerstone of Hindu Prayer

(Post by Eliz Kochniarczyk, Kathryn Mathews, Yaritza Vidaurre) Kathryn Mathews, Yaritza Vidaurre, and I (Elizabeth Kochniarczyk) visited the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana in South Bend, Indiana. We visited twice: once for the celebration of Holi, or the Hindu celebration of colors, and once for a Friday prayer service. For our audio recordings,…

Holi: The Festival of Colors

(Post by Eliz Kochniarczyk, Kathryn Mathews, Yaritza Vidaurre) On Sunday, March 23rd, The Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana celebrated Holi, the festival of colors. Holi is a lively celebration which engages the traditions of several Hindu legends. It is also a holiday where, for one day, caste is forgotten and everyone joins together…

Diwali!

Devin and I attended  Diwali on November 11, 2015. Diwali is the “festival of lights”. It is the biggest holiday of the year for Hindus and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Diwali lasts for five days, and includes many festivities, family gatherings, and food! Decorations inside of the Temple. People gather inside of…

A (brief) History of Saris

Saris are the traditional outfits worn by Indian women. They consist of a petticoat, a blouse that is cropped at the midriff, and a piece of fabric that is draped around the waist and over the shoulder. The word sari comes from the Sanskrit word śāṭī meaning “draped fabric.” The origin of the outfit stems from the hot…

A Brief Overview of Hinduism by Raj

Juliette and I had a chance to have a conversation with Prof. Raj Kohli, the President of the Hindu Temple of Michiana. We got a quick lesson in Hinduism and learned about the history of the temple itself! An excerpt from our interview is below. Raj : We adopt and respect every religion. Unlike many…

Devotional Ritual of the Hindu Temple

The Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana provides a place where the Hindu Community of South Bend can gather and worship. We were able to attend and participate in a devotional ritual. Above is the entrance to the Temple.   The initial gathering space of the Temple is adorned with decorations along the wall…