Pooja Services at the Hindu Temple

I had a delightful visit Sunday, July 8 at the Hindu Temple Association of Eastern Iowa in Cedar Rapids.  I was greeted outside the modest and charming southwest side building by Gangadhar Rao Vemuganti (Chair Person of the temple), who served as host for the community.  Prior to the service, as Hindu chant music played, he greeted worshipers and visitors. I was quite pleased to notice two couples who were there for the first time.

Gangadhar showed me where to put my shoes, as no shoes are permitted in the worship area. He then assisted me to a seat along the outer wall of the worship space in order to observe the prayer service.

The Temple’s worship area is beautifully appointed, with a draped statue of Lord Ganesha, goddess Durga and paintings of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses.   In addition, the ceiling is draped with flowers and burning incense creates a true flavor of worship. The altar is on the elevated section of the worship space, where priest and leaders sit to conduct the service. Worshipers sit close to the altar but on ground floor where white sheets are spread on the carpet.

The second Sunday each month is a Puja prayer service led by families in the community, followed by an Annadata meal, at a cost of $3:00 held in a fellowship area. The meals are also hosted by families in the community.

I was very pleased to see how children were involved in the prayer service. A young man about 14 years old and his brother, about eight years old, helped to lead the service, as instructed by their parents. They performed the various offerings of flowers and milk to Ganesha Deity.   These offerings were explained in English, helpful for one like me who understands only one word in Hindi: Namaste (the God in me greets the God in you).

Following Puja, hymns and sacred songs were sung by the community, first led by children in the assembly and then by women. Song sheets were passed out so that everyone could join in. The music was delightfully joyous, accompanied by clapping and finger cymbals. Although this is a relatively small space, a marvelous sound system makes the prayer service and the song leadership clear and bright, easy for everyone to hear.