Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society records

Collection

Identifier: 2019-029

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society records consist of materials such as institutional records, meeting minutes, temple construction plans, architect files, bylaws, temple dedication planning, and organizational events. Other materials present are newspaper clippings, founding member’s papers, past holiday celebrations and festivals, photographs and temple publications. The bulk of the collection can be found in the publication series with issues of the Nivedan, as well as extensive documentation of the yearly Kalpavriksha celebration. The main strength of the collection is the series on the Pranaprahistapana which includes the planning of the temple dedication and photographs covering the dedication’s five days of events. Topics that can be found within the collection are the Hindu Temple Society, performing arts, Hindu festivals, and temple construction.

Dates

Creation: 1970-2018

Creator

Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by Wesleyan University except for photographs. To use photographs, must contact Asha Simpson for permission - In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted

Biographical / Historical

The Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society (CVHTS) was founded in 1979 and serves the needs of the Indian community in the State of Connecticut and beyond. Originally the organization operated out of members’ homes till a permeant space could be found. The land was purchased in Middletown in 1984 with the temple foundation laid in 1986. In 1999, a five-day celebration of the temple sanctification (Pranaprahistapana) took place honoring the main temple deity Sri Satyanarayana, his consorts Sri Devi and Sri Bhudevi, and Sri Ganesha.

Extent

11.5 Linear Feet (22 hollinger boxes and 1 oversize flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society records consist of four series covering the life of the organization from its creation in 1979 to its present, including materials used as a template for the society’s creation.

Arrangement

The records are arranged into four series. Most of the four series have further been arranged in sub-series. Each series has been arranged to the folder level in chronological order. The exception is the sub-series on festivals and holidays which is organized alphabetically for easier access. Original order and folder titles were maintained in most cases. The series are: Series I. Events and Festivals, Series II. Temple Construction and History, Series III. Visual mixed materials, and Series IV. Publications.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection consists of materials collected and organized by founding members A.V and Kamala Srinivasan with architect files from Baraum Basu and photographs by Asha Shipman.