Hindu Temple Society of Greater New Orleans

About

The Hindu Temple of Greater New Orleans (HTSGNO) is located in Metairie, Louisiana.

Story

THE HINDU TEMPLE OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS IS LOCATED IN METAIRIE ON TRANSCONTINENTAL BOULEVARD. THE MAIN HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR HAS A NEWLY IMPORTED ALTAR WITH SEPARATE NICHES FOR VARIOUS DEITIES. THE CONSECRATED ICONS REPRESENT SHIVA AND HIS CONSORT PARVATI, GANESH, RAMA, SITA, THE DEVOUT SIMIAN HANUMAN, RADHA-KRISHNA, MAHAVIR, AND GURU NANAK STANDING ABOUT THREE FEET TALL, THESE BRIGHTLY COLORED IMAGES APPEAR, EVEN TO OUTSIDERS, MOST APPROACHABLE AS THEY EVOKE THE PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS OF THE HINDU COMMUNITY. LIKE MOST TEMPLES, THE PRAYER HALLS HAVE VERY LITTLE FURNITURE, THEREBY ENHANCING THE PROMINENCE OF THE ALTAR LOCATED AGAINST AN INNER WALL OF THE TEMPLE. WORSHIPPERS AND GUESTS ALIKE RECEIVE THE TILAK, A RED DOT PLACE ON THE FOREHEAD, AND A PIECE OF FRUIT OR SWEET WHICH HAS BEEN OFFERED AT THE ALTAR ("PRASAD"). BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF THE NEW ALTAR SERVICE WERE HELD IN THE LARGE SPACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TEMPLE.