Set in Flushing, Queens, New York, United States, Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam is dedicated to Lord Ganesha (Ganapati). It is also known as Ganesh Temple Flushing, Hindu Temple Society of North America.
Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam is regarded as the oldest continuously operating Hindu temple in the United States, and its 1977 Ganesh Chaturthi celebration is credited as the first held in America. The temple remains a major pilgrimage and cultural center, with its multi-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival now drawing tens of thousands of devotees, including a large annual chariot (Ratha Yatra) procession through the streets of Flushing. The Hindu Temple Society of North America was incorporated in January 1970, initially holding services in a small frame house that had been a Russian Orthodox church.
United States carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Home to the largest Hindu temple outside India, alongside decades-old community mandirs built by generations of the diaspora.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | Weekdays 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM; Weekends 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM |
Temple is open continuously through the listed hours rather than separate morning/evening closing windows.
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chaturthi) | August or September, over roughly nine days | The temple's largest festival, first celebrated in the US at this temple in 1977; features a Ratha Yatra chariot procession through Flushing streets and draws around 20,000 attendees over the festival period, with tens of thousands of meals served. |
| Sri Krishna Janmashtami | August or September | Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Built according to Agama Sastras temple-building scriptures using traditional granite stone imported from India, featuring twenty-six yantras blessed by Sri La Sri Pandrimalai Swamigal; the temple has since been expanded to more than double its original size
History
The Hindu Temple Society of North America was incorporated in January 1970, initially holding services in a small frame house that had been a Russian Orthodox church. Construction of the present granite temple structure was completed in early 1977 and consecrated on July 4, 1977, making it the first authentic Hindu temple built in North America with traditional imported granite stone.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located at 45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, Queens, New York 11355; accessible via New York City subway and bus lines serving downtown Flushing.
Where this information comes from
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