Dark Diwali at The Las Vegas Hindu & Jain Temple. The Grinch “Board of Trustees“ Stole Diwali Festivities.
Since the opening of the Hindu Mandir in April 2001, the community flocked to the Mandir for major Hindu community festivities and celebrating cultural heritage, with Diwali attracting over 500 attendees in the past. Shockingly, in stark contrast to previous years, this year (2024), Diwali on October 31st, the community disappeared, while few lost souls experienced a somber atmosphere inside and outside the Mandir premises.
Mandirs worldwide are decked with a medley of beautiful Hindu decorations, colorful paraphernalia, beautiful multi-colored bright lights, lively community gatherings, and delicious Indian food and sweets offerings. This year, Vegas Hindu Mandir’s lack of Diwali celebrations was an appalling, disappointing experience, especially considering how vibrant and joyous this festival typically is. The absence of such celebrations felt like a missed opportunity to connect with the community and celebrate the cultural heritage. The local Hindu community members eagerly look forward to Diwali as a time for renewal, hope, and the triumph of light over darkness. It’s unfortunate when these traditions aren’t upheld, especially in a place where diverse celebrations are cherished.
Per the auspicious time, Sr. Pandit Brijesh Ji predicted that the celebrations should be from 5:47 PM to 8:26 PM. Around 7 PM, only nine cars were in the parking lot, and less than ten attendees were inside the Mandir. Half an hour before the closing of the auspicious window time, around 50 attendees were at the Mandir, and only Pandit Vishnu Ji was seen shepherding Diwali rituals. A few attendees, probably out-of-towners, took UBER and were dropped off at the Mandir, to their sheer disappointment. Except for one couple, all the attendees were newcomers to Vegas.
The back patio, once vibrant and full of devout Hindus, was creepily quiet, a stark contrast to the festive Diwali dinners of previous years when friends and families gathered around tables adorned with colorful décor to enjoy the elaborate communal dinner sponsored by the local families.
This shift could be attributed to various factors, such as changes in dynamics due to the vicious, self-centered behavior of a few Board members – “the quintuple squad” in particular, wasteful and immoral expenditure on legal fees of over $200,000 from donor’s contributions, no financial transparency, and flagrant disregard to temple bylaws. No one from the Mandir’s Board or the Executive Committee was in attendance, and they probably were petrified to face the consequences of their mismanagement: truth and trust matter.
For the past twenty years, the local community had thrived on a profound sense of belonging, a spirit nurtured through shared celebrations and mutual support. However, that unity was now threatened by the antics of the chameleon quintuple squad of clowns led by Gopi Latpate. The rift among the board members—some no longer on speaking terms—had seeped into the wider community, creating an atmosphere of discord that overshadowed the joyous occasion.
The community demands answers from the quintuple squad on the Board – namely Gopi Latpate, Ranjit Jain, Ram Janga, and Shankar Dixit, or their spouse nominees. What are they hiding, and why are they hiding?
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Sad state of affairs from our leaders who are very accomplished in their careers. Their accomplishments helped them make money and achieve fame in their lives but sadly temple is a battleground for them. How selfish? Even the Diwali Mela let alone Diwali day was nothing like what Dussehra Mela used to be. A fraction of attendees, one solitary merchandise vendor, limited food vendors, some food was out of stock when I got there at 6.30pm, long lines and no food that could interest a young child with me. What happened to the sweets, kulfi etc from the past and not even the staple chole bhature. I invite people to try our other temple/iskcon which will become my primary temple from now.
Diwali night was a mess because management was busy planning there tactics of how to ruin more of this mandir funds and reputation. Playing DIRTY POLITICS.
Gopi Latpate’s criminal conduct shouldn’t be left uncheck, he should be prosecuted. Las vegas community should all come together and sign a petition to prosecute him.
Ghost town during the festival of light (Diwali Event). I felt very embarrassed when i brought my colleague with me to witness how we Hindus celebrate Diwali festival. Took off immediately when i noticed nothing special was organized by this mandir. Took of to the Hare Krishna temple and we were very pleased with there organization. My only suggestion for the president is to please reconsider your roles and responsibilities towards this wonderful Institutions. Please elect a new leader asap and make attempts to not consider the temple as a place to do business but a devotional place to take care of the needs of the community for religious purposes.
Very less people was there this year. What are the management planning to do to improve this? What a shame to take new family members there and just be embarrassed of the environment we saw. No food was provided on Diwali pujan day. What has happened to all the funds, they couldn’t provide food!!!!
Hope to see the changes soon management department.
After reading all the news and events that Vegas desi post. Am very thankful and want to take my time to really thank the owner of Vegas desi. Your articles are very true and bang on to the point. Always a pleasure to read those.
Again thank you so all you do for the Indian community.
As Devotee I have request to all community members to come together and Support
We all come together and clear out this negative obstacles like Mr. Gopi Latpate, and Ram Jangha..who are fighting for there own ego and power. And for that they are trying to use temple money and all devotees donation for legal help. Master mind behind all this politics is Ram Jangha. If we get rid of him i feel like all the issues and disagreement with the board members will resolve by itself.