Lakshmi Exhibit: A Goddess Grows in Queens

People come from all around to worship at the Ganapati Temple on Bowne Street. It is considered the first Hindu temple in the United States and is celebrating fifty years. It has a beautiful Lakshmi icon and ongoing Lakshmi worship. But one of the great treats in this temple is the Temple Canteen, where devotees and any visitors can feast on yummy traditional vegetarian food. It is a divine gathering place with a huge and colorful Ganesh statue and shrine area. He seems to be blessing the feasting. In addition, there is a little Temple Gift Shop with a beautiful Lakshmi shrine. It sells many different Lakshmi statues and also sells images of the icon of Lakshmi, Ganesh, and the other deities worshipped at the temple. Lakshmi also looks out for those enjoying nutritious food. A special note: Top Chef star Padma Lakshmi likes to stop in for dosas!

Lots of sacred goodies are in the Temple Gift Shop.

Mini Lakshmi on a top shelf in the gift shop window with Ganesha and other items.

Lakshmi is etched into a metal plate and hanging right under the sign for Veenas (Saraswati's instrument)

Sources

Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam. "Šri Mahã Lakshmi," December 28, 2015. https://nyganeshtemple.org/sri-maha-lakshmi/.

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The Hindu Temple Society of North America. "Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam – Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam." Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam. Accessed July 3, 2023. https://nyganeshtemple.org/.

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Ganapati Temple Gift Shop in the Temple Canteen

Lakshmi Shrine is spotted inside the Ganapati Temple gift shop located by the Temple Canteen.

Hinduism's Goddess of Good Fortune is a Universal Divine Mother with Local Roots.

Ganapati Temple Gift Shop in the Temple Canteen

Meet Goddess Lakshmi

Welcome

Meet Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi Worship

A Universal Goddess in Queens

Sacred Sightings & Shopping in Queens

Lakshmi In & Outside of Mandirs

Flushing, Queens - Bowne Street

Jackson Heights

Jamaica, Queens

Glen Oaks, Queens - Hillside Avenue

Richmond Hill, Queens

Eco-Friendly Water Worship in Queens

How to Invite Lakshmi to Your Home

Ideas: Future Digital Humanities Projects

Worth a Trip Across the Bridge

Thank You

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