Hindu Temple Society of North America

The central deity of the temple is Ganesha. ==History==

Before the Hindu Temple Society of North America was established in 1970, Alagappa Alagappan, one of its founders, hosted meetings for members in his living room. The organization acquired the land of a former Russian Orthodox Church and designed a traditional Hindu temple in its place. The construction was completed in 1977 and the consecration ceremony was performed on July 4, 1977. The patasala offers classes to youths in subjects like mathematics, linguistics, religion, bhajanams, and dance. Leadership Dr. Uma Mysorekar began her involvement with the temple services in the mid-1980s and has served as the president since 1994. Mysorekar graduated with a medical degree from Bombay University and practiced as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist. Mysorekar has been awarded the Kannada Rajyotsava Award from Karnataka, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Governor's Award of Excellence, and a "token of esteem" by the City Lore's People's Hall of Fame. She was also chosen by Barack Obama's presidential inaugural committee to join several other religious leaders in the national prayer service, on the day of his inauguration. == Temple canteen ==

Underneath the ground level, the temple houses a vegetarian restaurant called the Temple Canteen. The canteen feeds 4,000 people a week, with as many as 10,000 during the Deepavali (Diwali) holiday. == Dispute ==

At the Hindu Temple Society of North America, a dispute arose in 2003 regarding the leadership of the temple. Six plaintiffs expressed that the temple was being run too autocratically, and wanted the opportunity to vote for a board of trustees. After the first election, the board of trustees that served the temple previously were re-elected. ==Miracles==

In September 1995, the Ganesha drinking milk miracle was observed at the temple. It was reported that "People held the spoon filled with milk under the trunk, by the mouth, and the milk would be taken up". ==See also==