Need and Objective of the Temple

Hindu Temple (Devalaya) is a permanent place of worship (Bhakti) in the presence of established Murti (Hindu deity).  Worship in the temple is more beneficial because of the spiritual, serene environment and the religious rituals performed by learned priests for the benefit of all devotees in the temple.  Our temple is also a religious center (Devadham) for performing different Pujas, religious celebrations, Bhajans, prayers, meditation, religious education and philanthropy.  The temple also provides opportunity for spiritual, cultural and social enrichment among the devotees.  The objective of the Hindu Temple is to preserve, practice and foster the religious and cultural heritage of Hinduism as well as to fulfill the religious and spiritual needs of the temple devotees and the Hindu families living in the greater Cincinnati region.

The Temple Establishment

The founding members have established our temple on 100 acres of prime wooded land close to the I-275 expressway with goals to meet the present and future needs (multifunctional community center, retirement homes, Hinduism Library and Religious Education Center, outdoor permanent Yagna Shala – Pavilion, etc.) of our growing Hindu community in the greater Cincinnati – Tri-State region.

Deity Installation

There are sixteen deities with centrally presiding OM in our temple.  Twelve deities of the same dimension and highest aesthetic quality, custom made by the highly acclaimed artists in India have been installed on the same platform (based on the principle of equality, inclusiveness and unity among diversity).  The deity Pran Pratistha Mahotsava was celebrated for several days with high chanting of Vedic Mantras and elaborate religious rituals performed by seven learned priests and temple full of devotees.  Four additional deities have been added following the temple expansion with two wings.  Before the establishment of the temple, the devotees performed Puja in different places including the basement of a small house for more than 15 years.  Our late priest, B.C. Sharmaji provided much inspiration and guidance for the new temple.  The temple also has a large multipurpose ground floor for cultural and other (wedding, graduation, etc.) celebrations and a large professional kitchen as well as Hinduism Library, Temple Office, a small meeting room and rest rooms.  There is a temple Gift Shop in the lobby of the deity floor, upper level.  The temple recently inaugurated first of it’s kind outdoor Yagna Shala Pavilion – Hindu Marriage Center.

Unique OM

Only in our temple, beautiful OM the most sacred and primordial sound and the most unifying religious symbol in Hinduism has been installed at the center of the deity platform with elaborate rituals.  World renowned master glass sculptor Maestro Pino Signoretto of Murano, Italy was commissioned for the construction of the OM.  The devotee in charge of the OM project traveled to India multiple times for research and consultation with religious scholars to gather knowledge of the authentic OM.  This unique first of it’s kind and difficult task took more then two years to complete.  The majestic OM is made up of special multicolor glass, 66 inches in height, 55 inches wide and weighs 1,500 lbs.  The small symbols inside the OM represent different stages of the human life cycle according to scripture.

Temple Priests, Puja Activities, Volunteerism, Philanthropy

Our temple has three highly qualified and dedicated priests for performing different Pujas and various religious celebrations in the temple.  Each priest has many years of religious education and appropriate degrees such as Vyakaranacharya and Shastry, professional experience and proficiency in English and several Indian languages.  They are always ready and willing to perform sponsored Puja and other religious celebrations in the temple or at home as desired by the devotees.

Senior Priest Acharya Kailash Sharma: (513) 528-3714
Priest Acharya Chakreshwar Sharma: (513) 528-0901
Pandit Srinath Bhattar: (513) 488-2986

Temple Deities

Starting from the left side of OM (at the center) and facing devotees, Sri Durga, Sri Saraswati, Sri Lakshmi, Sri Ganesh, Sri Hanuman, Sri Shiv, Sri Murugan, Sri Navgraha; starting from the right side of OM (at the center) and facing devotees, Sr Lakshmi-Narayana, Sri Venkateshwara, Sri Rama-Sita, Sri Radha-Krishna, Sri Srinath, Sri Mahavira, Sri Jagannath, Sri Chitragupta.  For more information on each deity, consult the Deity Information Brochure or any priest.

Our Temple accomplished another milestone with the installment of the most beautiful, gold plated Garbhagrihas (innermost sanctum where each deity resides).  Sixteen highly crafted Garbhagrihas, one over each deity, were custom made by specialized artists in Bangalore, India.  Grand installation ceremonies for the Garbhagrihas were performed with authentic religious rituals and great festivities.

Weekly and Monthly Puja Activities in the Temple

The Temple is open every day , 9 a.m. to 12 noon, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and US Holidays.  Sunday activities include Puja, Bhajan, religious discourses, children’s religious class, Aarti, Parikrama, Prasas followed by Archana and sponsored Puja all day, evening Puja and Aarti.  The priests also perform daily Puja and Aarti (Nityapuja) for each deity every day as well as Archana and sponsored Puja for the devotees.  Weekly special Puja include Vishnu Sahasranama, Shiv Abhisekam, Hanuman Chalisa, and Venkateswara Puja – Abhisekam among others.  Monthly special Puja activities include 1008 Gayatri Japa, Mataki Chouki, Murugan Abhishekam, Navagraha Puja, Satyanarayan Puja – Katha, Bhagvad Gita Discourse, Ganesh Puja and other sponsored Puja Rituals.

Annual Special Puja Celebrations

New Year’s Day, Ganesh Puja and Havan, Makarshankranti Celebration, Thai Pongal, Vasantpanchami – Saraswati Puja Celebration, Mahashivratri Celebration, Holi Festival, Durga Ashtami – Ram Navami Puja, Chandipath, Mahavira Swami Jayanti, Vallabhacharya Jayanti, Sita Ram Kalyanam, Temple Anniversary Puja – Havan Celebration, Buddha Jayanti Celebration, Jagannath Puja – Rath Yatra Celebration, Krishna Janmastami Celebration, Nand Mahotsava, Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration, Chitragupta Puja, Goverdhan Puja – Annakut Celebration, Mela, Navaratri, Deepawall among many other Hindu Religious Festivals.  The Temple also invites Religious Scholars and Swamis for Religious Seminars and Discussions as well as Musicians for Devotional Songs.

The priests also perform wedding, new home opening Puja, Upanayan, Shradha and other special religious rituals as needed by the devotees.  For Puja related information and sponsorship rates, see Aradhanaor contact the Puja Committee Chairperson or the Temple Priests.

Temple Volunteerism and Philanthropy

The temple encourages volunteerism “Hindu Dharmic Seva” and philanthropy (to give generously time, talent and treasury to worthy cause) among the devotees.  The temple is always in need of dedicated volunteers to serve as Officers of the Executive Committee and members of many service and special project committees as well as perform many day-to-day activities in the Temple for efficient operation.  In addition to volunteerism, the temple also encourages philanthropy to support worthy causes such as the Gandhi Food Drive for the Free Store Food Bank (so far donated more than $145,000), Tsunami Earth Quake Relief, serving food at the Homeless Shelter – Soup Kitchen among others by the devotees.

“Support your Temple religious activities and special projects generously in order to leave a long lasting legacy of our rich religious and cultural heritage for our children, new families and future generations.”

Temple Management and Contact Information

The temple has been established and is managed by the Hindu Society of Greater Cincinnati (HSGC), a registered non-profit tax-exempt 501 volunteer organization.  An Executive Committee elected every year plans and executes all activities of the temple including financial management, temple maintenance, numerous religious events, cultural performances, religious education, many day-to-day activities and special projects.  The Executive Committee consists of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chairpersons of the Puja Committee, Cultural Committee, Communication/News Letter Editor, Fundraising and Membership Committee, Religious Education and Children’s Committee, Long Rang Planning Committee and Office Manager.  The temple also retains the service of an Attoorney for legal advice and an Architect for advice on new construction and temple improvement .  The temple has a volunteer professional Accountant to advice on proper financial record keeping.

Temple Expense

All expenses of the temple operation including maintenance, salaries, insurance, Puja and Religious events and special projects are supported by the generous donations and sponsorships of Life Members, Elite Members, Patrons, Grand Patrons and all devotees and visitors to the temple.  The Executive Committee holds general body meetings and publishes in the Aradhana, Temple Monthly Newsletter, each year the financial report of all income and expenses.  The Committee also sends official acknowledgment of all donations made by checks for tax purpose to appropriate donors.

Temple Rules

  1. Enter the temple through lower level
  2. Take off your footwear and put them on shoe racks (no one is allowed to enter the deity floor or upper level with shoes on).
  3. No food or drink allowed on the deity floor except the Prasad offered by the priests.
  4. No one is allowed to touch any deity except the priests and helpers.
  5. Refrain from private conversations during the Puja related activities.
  6. No poster or display or group activities allowed in the ground floor without approval from the Executive Committee.
  7. Ask any priest if you want to perform Archana (brief Pushpanjali with name and Gotra, and seek Asirvadam) to any deity when visiting the temple or information on more elaborate sponsored Puja

Donation Information

For any donation, life membership, elite membership, patron, grand patron or special project sponsorship (Garbhagriha with Golden Arch for each deity, Hinduism Library, new direct road “Marg Project” to the Temple, Temple improvement) contact the Fund Raising Chairperson or any Executive Committee Members.

All donation checks should be written to Hindu Society of Greater Cincinnati or HSGC, indicating purpose of the donation in the memo and mail to the Temple address below:

Hindu Society of Greater Cincinnati
4920 Klatte Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45244

Temple welcomes all devotees and visitors:  Support the Temple, give generously, be happy and blessed.

Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu
OM Shanti, OM Shanti, OM Shati
Mayall people be happy
May peace be on all people