Field Study Report

Field Study Report

On October 5th, I had the pleasure of visiting the Hindu Temple of Minnesota, also known as Hindu Mandir, in Maple Grove. Prior to the experience, I had minimal knowledge of the faith and its culture. My only real direct encounter with Hinduism in my life had been through yoga practice through my athletic facilities. Upon study of Hinduism in the course, I became intrigued with the history of Yoga and how it is intertwined with Hinduism as a practice.

The Hindu Society of Minnesota was founded in the 1970’s. This is where the Hindu Mandir has its roots. A group of individuals of the Hindu faith decided they needed a venue to practice, teach and cultivate their culture and religious practices. They began by meeting in each other’s homes on a weekly basis, in attempts to preserve their rich history, here in Minnesota. In 1978, the Hindu society was formed in the state of Minnesota. The congregation grew rapidly over time, today, the temple reports having over 1,000 families as members. The Hindu Society moved into a small venue in Northeast Minneapolis for a time, before materializing the idea for an expansive temple for worship.

The Temple is very large. It houses several “mini temples” throughout the location. Each temple is devoted to a different entity and serves a different purpose. Each shrine is made in replication of sacred places that exist in India. I participated in a yoga class in the morning in the main temple hall. It was stunning to see all of the craftsmanship and detail in the shrines. Upon entrance I was greeted kindly and warmly. I noticed that the group there was extremely diverse. There were men and women, young and elderly. Everyone was peaceful and focused. The individual leading the session chanted things in Sanskrit and in English. The focus of the session was not on physical movements quickly, but on reflection, intention and control over the body. The most important thing that I took away from the...