Vermont Mandir and Cultural Center - VT

The Vermont Mandir and Cultural Center (VMCC) is a non-profit organization working to build the first Sanatan/Hindu temple in Vermont to serve the Indian community in the Greater Burlington area. In the meantime, the organization holds community events and religious ceremonies at temporary locations, including the St. James Episcopal Church at 4 St James Place in Essex Junction.

Key features

Mission: To provide a place for all residents in and around the Greater Burlington area to practice, immerse, and grow in their Sanatan/Vedic faith and culture.

Community: The organization was formed in 2020 by members of the Indo-American community who had long sought a collective place of worship in the area.

Long-term vision: To build a permanent Mandir, or temple, that will serve as a spiritual and cultural hub for the community.

Religious ceremonies: The VMCC organizes various religious festivals and pujas (worships) throughout the year, such as Diwali, Holi, and Shivratri. A priest, Madhuji, leads some of the ceremonies.

Cultural activities: The center promotes Hindu culture and traditions through events and educational resources available on its website.

Community gatherings: Events like the New Year Pooja bring the community together for worship and social interaction.

Fundraising: The VMCC actively fundraises through community donations to support its goal of building a permanent temple.

Future plans: The organization's main focus is procuring a permanent physical space to establish its operations and begin building the temple.

Membership: The VMCC offers an optional membership that allows participation in board elections and important decisions.