Where It Began

It is customary at any Hindu Temple to provide food and an appropriate seating area for all devotees. This has become increasingly difficult in the times of COVID-19. At the Hindu Temple which I attend, they had a few picnic tables set out in the woods, where people could attempt outdoor eating. There was no clear path to the site and the area was overrun with brush and dirt.

Since members were not able to gather at the temple to eat, there was a great loss to the sense of community. Food sales are also one of the temple’s main sources of income. Without this income, the temple was unable to put on many public events, including my favorite, an annual fireworks show for the festival of Diwali.

To solve this issue, my plan was to create a 30 x 40 foot area that is welcoming, clean, and easily maintainable. I did this by clearing the ground of debris, filling the space with mulch, cleaning the existing tables, and placing the tables at least 6 feet apart.

Creating an appropriate seating area was a great benefit to the temple. Due to COVID-19, devotees still generally prefer to eat outside. Having access to a clean, presentable location has allowed devotees to enjoy a sense of community while maintaining public health and safety. Additionally, with more members frequenting the outdoor area, the temple has been able to keep up its food sales.