Hindu Temple of Charleston - Charleston, SC

The Hindu Temple of Charleston is a center for worship and cultural activities for the Hindu community in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Established in 2010 by the Sanatan Temple and Cultural Center of South Carolina (STCC of SC), it was created to be a permanent place for prayer and the practice of Sanatana Dharma, or the "eternal way" of life. Located at 1740 Jervey Avenue in Charleston, the temple is housed in a renovated building that had previously been a church.

Key features

Establishment: The temple officially opened on October 17, 2010, on the auspicious Hindu festival of Vijayadashami. It was the culmination of a sustained effort by a group of Indian community members to create a dedicated space for worship.

Location: The Jervey Avenue building was chosen for its central location, which also met the requirements of a Hindu temple. The site was ritually sanctified in May 2010 by a priest from the Hindu Temple of Columbia before its opening.

Core values: In keeping with the tenets of Sanatana Dharma, the temple is open to all people, regardless of their background. Its objectives include providing a space for worship and spiritual discourse, strengthening community bonds, and promoting friendship among all faiths.

Daily worship: A daily schedule of worship is maintained, including morning and evening aarti.

Festivals: The temple is a hub for celebrating major Hindu festivals, and events for Diwali and Holi have drawn large crowds. The temple's opening anniversary is also celebrated each year on Vijayadashami.

Deities: In 2017, new marble statues of deities, handmade in Jaipur, India, were installed and consecrated. The temple's pantheon includes deities such as Lord Rama, Sita, Radha, Krishna, Durga, and Ganesh.

Youth programs: The STCC of SC organizes various activities, such as Sunday school and summer camps, to help children develop a better spiritual and cultural understanding of Hindu heritage.

Community outreach: The temple engages in charitable, educational, and humanitarian endeavors for the wider Lowcountry community. In 2020, volunteers served free school lunches during the COVID-19 pandemic.