Click here to find out how you can support our prayer space!

The Prayer Space: Past, Present and Future

While Hindus have had a presence at Harvard University since the 1960s, it was only in 1997, with the formation of Dharma, Harvard Hindu Students Association, that a true community developed. In the ten years since Dharma�s inception, there have been many notable accomplishments for the Hindu community, which now numbers over 200 within the undergraduate Harvard College and over 1000 members in the entire Harvard University community. The concept of communal prayer is unquestionably important for Hindus, but the lack of a temple or other established religious center within close proximity of Harvard University has been one of the most difficult challenges for practicing Hindus.

Dharma has sponsored regular puja services throughout its history, holding them in student rooms, common spaces in the student dormitories, and even in libraries and lecture halls, as space constraints permitted. The Hindu community, however, always envisioned the day when a permanent prayer space could be established at Harvard, one which would remain open for 24 hours a day as a sanctified space for worship. After ten years of working with Harvard University officials, the Hindu community welcomed the opening of the Dharma Prayer Space in October, 2006.

Throughout these efforts, the administration of Harvard University has been extremely supportive. Deans Benedict H. Gross, Judith H. Kidd, and Paul J. McLoughlin were instrumental in the allocation of space. This space is open to the general community 24 hours, 7 days a week. This has unquestionably been the most important event in the history of Hinduism at Harvard. Indeed, this prayer space is unique even among universities throughout the United States, and we also hope that as the Hindu-American community continues to grow, institutions of education throughout the country will look upon this as a positive precedent for pluralistic cooperation and growth.

Click here to read a Dharma mentor's vision for the prayer space!

On Sunday, October 1st, 2006, we sanctified the Dharma prayer space with a prayer to Ganesha, followed by punyahavachanam (purification ceremony) and archanas for Ganesha, Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati. We worshipped the three main shaktis because it was the ninth day of Navaratri (Dassera). With a priest and a representative from the Shri Lakshmi Temple, we celebrated the consecration of the first ever Hindu prayer space at Harvard with splendor. After the initial consecration, however, the sanctity of our sacred place has grown in a number of ways, as the fervor and sincerity of the devotees itself adds to the vibrational power of the deities and the prayer space.

Click here to see the consecration ceremony program!

Since its construction, the prayer space has seen constant use by Hindus and non-Hindus alike, for a variety of events. Dharma has held several pujas in the prayer space, including the Sri Vishnu puja (fall 2006) and the Saraswati puja (spring 2007). Dharma holds regular events in the prayer space including:

- Weekly aartis on Sundays at 2 pm
- Monthly morning meditations: 8:15 am, first Tuesday of each month

The prayer space also sees informal usage by Dharma members who just want a space to relax, do homework or socialize. Other groups like the Harvard College Women’s Center and Buddhist groups frequent the prayer space for meditation.

Click here to see photos of events in the prayer space!

Outside of hosting pujas and meditations, we are working on some other projects to expand the role of the prayer space. This coming year, we will compile religious literature and scriptures to build a prayer space library. In terms of social events, we may hold regular study breaks and discussions in the new space. Beyond this, however, the prayer space is truly what our members make of it. Feel free to stop by and pray before a big exam or interview, decompress in the middle of writing a seemingly endless paper, or spend a few moments meditating before classes. We hope both the Harvard community and outside organizations will contribute to the paryer space, both through your presence and any resources you can provide. We invite everyone on campus to enjoy the prayer space, and hope you will make use of it many times this coming semester.

Click here to find out how you can support our prayer space!

Visit our sponsors:

The Sri Venkateswara Temple
Hinduism Today Complimentary Subscription Fund (Hindu Heritage Endowment)
Hindu Businessmen's Association of Kauai, Hawaii (Hindu Heritage Endowment)
New York Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Temple