Open Letter to Hindu Mandir Trustees by Community Members
For the last couple of years, the active members of the Hindu community have been experiencing a deterioration in mandir services. Many have been talking in private circles of friends and acquaintances; however, now some members are taking the concerns directly to the Board. The group is dismayed with the current management and requesting the Board for urgent corrective action. The group has written an open letter (see below) and is gathering signatures from the concerned community members.
Chairman and Board of Trustees, Hindu Temple and Jain Center of Las Vegas
Dear Chairman Jagdish Mehta,
We, the active members of the Hindu community and prior regulars at the Hindu Mandir, would like to bring to your attention the ongoing operational issues concerning the Mandir. Some of us were there in April 2001 at the inauguration and dedication of the Hindu Mandir in Las Vegas for the Hindu community. Since the beginning, we have seen ups and downs in our magnificent Mandir’s day-to-day running and management. However, for the past year, especially since the arrival of the new management team, the Mandir has been going only in one direction, DOWN to an unknown abyss with no prosperous future in sight.
As per Article II of the constitution of the Hindu Society of Nevada, one of the purposes of the Hindu Mandir is “To foster a closer relation with the members of the Hindu and Jain community in the Las Vegas area and the State of Nevada.” However, for the past couple of years, the Hindu Mandir has been everything except for the above purpose.
Mandir has been going in a disastrous, unyielding direction to nowhere. With no leadership aptitude, prior management experience, and despicable people skills, we are disappointed with the current management’s inept and divisive decision-making abilities. Undoubtedly, the weekly attendance at the Mandir is at an all-time low, with no enthusiasm among the attendees, all due to the management’s fatuous behavior.
Only on special auspicious occasions do some of us reluctantly attend the Mandir festivities. However, there is a credible competitor – Krishna Temple. During the recent Janmashtami celebrations, Krishna temple was packed with over 300 devotees and raised copious donations.
The only positive vibe comes from the two exemplary, talented priests. However, the politics among the management and a few Board Trustees have created a toxic environment through their unwarranted control of the priestly activities.
Below are some of our concerns that must be addressed soon to bring the community back to the Mandir.
Sunday Luncheon – In the past, our local Hindu families voluntarily sponsored lunch for the attendees. The disastrous decision by the current management to charge $10 for lunch is insulting and demeaning to the attendees. Since the new lunch charge started, the attendance has decreased drastically as most of us and probably others are disappointed with the decision.
Puja Fees – It is shocking to see the management arbitrarily raise the puja fees to a level that is not affordable for many of the struggling local members of the Hindu community. Some of the puja fees have increased by over 200%. As per the current economic data, Inflation is running under 7%.
Kitchen Usage Fees for Public Events – The current administration’s despicable decision to start charging kitchen usage fees is deplorable, even if the kitchen usage is for open public events. Some prior event sponsors who brought volunteers to prepare food for the community events were appalled by this new charge. Instead, the sponsors got the food catered by the local Indian restaurant where the kitchen prepares vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes in the same cooking utensils, especially nan bread from tandoor where savory chicken tikkas are grilled.
Mausoleum or a Cenotaph – Many community members are furious with constructing a Cenotaph, an empty tomb facing the parking lot on the West of Mandir. With donations down, this addition to the Mandir is a complete waste of donors’ money. There’s no Mandir in the world where visitors are greeted by a Cenotaph-style monument at the entrance from the parking lot.
Priests Day Off – Mandir should not force or dictate terms to our well-respected priests on what to do during their weekly days off. Every individual has a right to enjoy their time off or take a second job to support their family. What priests do on their days off is their business; whether to spend time with family and friends, drive Uber, or do private puja at someone’s home, it’s their choice.
In conclusion, no community ownership is left due to incompetent management, and it’s high time to bring in a new team of volunteers with a contemporary vision and dedication to serve. The Mandir needs someone with six C’s – Committed, Confident, Considerate, Compassionate, Competent, and Cooperative, all for delivering an impeccable religious and spiritual experience to our growing Hindu community.
Thanks.
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above letter solely belong to signatories of the letter, and are not an endorsement by vegasdesi.com. The editor is pleased to provide vegasdesi.com as a platform for the community members to engage in intellectual debates, opinions, constructive criticisms, and discussions.
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The temple trustees, and executive committee, are inept and are not dedicated. Nothing will change because true devotees and good volunteers are not allowed to play any role in the management of the temple. Lately, there have been changes on the premises that seem to destroy the sanctity of our holy place.
Temple is running like Smokeshop . People with money , donating to temple is appreciated but their BIG ego is becoming BIG problem in running a spiritual temple where people and devotees visit to dissolve it!! There are three groups of board members fighting among themselves – what do you expect.?
The rule should be : The temple should be run with the advice of priest with spiritual knowledge . Treating priest like employee is going to create many issues of labor laws. More than half board members never visit temple or they say” they donot listen”. Making excuses conviniently. Board members were supposed to pay $1000 per year to stay as member – is never collected for last 23 years. By laws is defective – need to rewrite.
Namaste!
My name is Jagi. I have been a devotee of the Temple (Hindu Tempel of Las Vegas) for a long time. I have a few issues that I want to raise about Temple management and their conduct and would appreciate it if you can help me understand the reason behind these actions/issues.
Temple has been on a downward trajectory for a few years now. In recent months, the management has added more fuel to the fire with their thoughtless actions. My two main observations and complaints are:
Management has instituted a ridiculous fee structure, turning the Temple into a business machine. There are so many fees for in-city and outside-city pujas. Ex: Puja Temple Fee, Puja Priest Fee, Samagree cost, Out-of-town Temple Fee, Out-of-town Priest Fee, etc. Just the fees in many cases can go over $1000.
As if this wasn’t generating enough revenue, management decided to make Mandir a graveyard and started selling space to put plaques with the names of “the dead”. There is no harm in remembering those who have passed away, but to do it this in the Mandir is a joke and the height of stupidity and greed.
I request to the management and the board to reconsider these decisions. Let the temple be a temple rather than turning it into a business.
I am also requesting the management of Hindu Temple Of Las Vegas, a non-profit organization, to please share/publish the year-end tax filing for the years 2021 & 2022 via Form 990 with the community. Please let us know if you cannot fulfill this request and the reason thereby.
I have been coming to the Temple for SO many YEARS and suddently I dont feel like coming to Do the Darshan. It Hurts When you Feel like This that we Have Our Community Temple and You are Hesitant to Go. The Source of Income the Temple is USING :-
* Selling of the OLD CLOTHES,Fruit/Veggies,Canteen seems like a BAZAAR.
* PARESH JOSHI sends the REMINDERS to These Advertisments in the WHATS UP GROUP.
* The Trustees Don’t TAKE ANY ACTION against THIS.
Paresh Joshi is a President And Can Do Better Arrangements for FUNTIONs at the TEMPLE too HOWEVER he NEVER showsup MOST OF Time. When He is THERE he NEVER gives ANY SPEECH or Shows any Appreciation for JOB WELL DONE to OUR PRIESTs and Community Member.
Iam Very Hurt to See that NO ACTION has been Taken towards this Either.
PL READ THE COMMENT OF EX-TRUSTEE — UNBELIEVABLE LOW LIFE ATTITUDE OF BOARD MEMBERS AND NOW WORST. THE MONEY IN HUNDI IS USED FOR TAX BENEFIT TO BOARD MEMBERS . IF I HAVE TO NAME VILLAIN OF THE TEMPLE. SMOKESHOP BUSSINESS MENTALITY OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT. PRESIDENT HAS NEVER DONATED A PENNY AND BECOMES PRESIDENT. HIS PERSONALITY : NUISANCE VALUE. ONE INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO THROW AWAY OUR PRIEST ( WHO IS RECOGNIZED AS MOST LEARNED PRIEST -BEST 11 TEAM IN ENTIRE INDIA); AND OTHER WHO IS TRAVELLER WITH ABSENTEE. OTHER BOARD MEMBERS ARE ‘EXCUSE ,ABSENT, BLAME OTHER BOARD MEMBER ” BOARD MEMBERS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY —MONEY AND DONATION MUST NOT BE THE CRITERIA FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP. IT HAPPENED DURING TIME OF DESAI – TO BOOST HIS EGO. COMMUNITY MUST SHAME EACH AND EVERY BOARD MEMBER – THEIR SILENCE IS A SUPPORT TO THE ONE DESTROYING TEMPLE . THEY HAVE WASTED 300 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR USELESS STRUCTURE BEHIND TEMPLE. THERE ARE PEOPLE WANTS TO DONATE FOR HANUMAN TEMPLE BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE REFUSING …
A very smart person who is saying Paresh Joshi did not donate a penny to the temple just wasn’t to respond to him
Looks like he has a close acquaintance with the treasurer and has a list of all devotees who donated wonder how much he donated by self
Paresh Joshi has donated
10 years * 9 hrs per week min * current rate for a s/w professional with 20 plus years of exp Go figure!!!
And endless money spent on purchases made without sending the receipts for refund !!!
I AM ASKING : WHAT IS THE MISSION STATEMENT OF TEMPLE? The solution is simple : 1. SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE AND SANATAN DHARMA PRINCIPLE IS THE CORE IDEOLOGY OF TEMPLE ( INSTEAD MONEY HAS BECOME CORE MISSION AT THE COST OF SPIRITUALITY ) .2. BOARD MEMBERS MUST PAY OUTSTANDING DUES NOW. 3. BOARD MEMBERS ROLE SHOULD BE A ROLE BEHIND THE CURTAIN FACILITATING AND HELPING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE “AS VOLUNTEER ” AND NOT AS BOSS. THIS IS NOT A ROCKET SCIENCE : CULTURAL ACTIVITY MUST BE PROMOTED. UNTIL WE HAVE COMMUNITY HALL – TEMPLE MUST BE ALLOWED TO BE USED FOR CULTURE, ART, MUSIC , DISCOURSE PROMOTION. PEOPLE MUST FEEL OWNERSHIP FOR THEM TO CONTRIBUTE AND VOLUNTEER. TEMPLE CANNOT BE THE CENTER OF “EGO BOOSTER” . THE CHANGE MUST START FROM BOARD.
I don’t feel like going to temple anymore.Seems like its managed my Marathi community under the leadership of Paresh Joshi. No other community is welcome. Earlier our Sindhi community was involved in participating weekly food sponsorship and food arrangements but not anymore. Please remove this president and his group and make the temple same as what we used to have. This guy spoiled the harmony and faith. We used to have community meetings and get to gather at the temple but he is not allowing without money.
CAN SOMEONE LIST THE NAMES OF BOARD MEMBERS SO PUBLIC KNOW THESE VILLAINS OF TEMPLE??
PEOPLE SHOULD WRITE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND SPHINCTER ATTITUDE OF BOARD MEMBERS AND PRESIDENT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE. THEY ALL NEED CRASH COURSE WITH EXAMINATION TO BE QUALIFIED FOR TEMPLE SERVICE TO PRESERVE ITS SANCTITY OF “CENTER OF SPIRUALITY AND PROMOTION OF SANATAN DHARMA” ONCE A MONTH THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS FOR THE PEOPLE FROM OTHER FAITH TO CONVERT TO HINDUISM/JAINISM . BUT LOOKING AT THE WAY PRIEST PRIORITY IS ALSO MONEY SO EVERYTHING IS MESSED UP.
AT OTHER SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATIONS : THERE IS A CRASH COURSE OF TWO HRS VIDEO LECTURE FOLLOWED BY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOLLOWED SIGNING A OATH WITH CODE OF CONDUCT– WITH DEFINED RESPONSIBILITY. ALSO CONFLICT RESOLUTION MECHANISM SHOULD BE IN PLACE. TEMPLE AND SANATAN DHARMA SHOULD BE PROMOTED KEEPING ITS ETHOS INTACT. THE REST IS SECONDARY AND AUTOMATIC. NO ONE SHOULD BE BOARD MEMBER WITHOUT CRASH COURSE OF PRINCIPLE OF SANATAN DHARMA, VOLUNTEER. WHY VOLUNTEER AT THE FIRST PLACE – TO ADVANCE YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL JOURNEY….. VOLUNTEERING IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS MAY HAVE DIFFERENT ROLES SO THEY BECOME ROLE MODEL FOR COMMUNITY. IF PEOPLE SEE CHANGE IN BEHAVIOUR OF BOARD MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS , MORE WILL VOLUNTEER.
I have been coming to this temple for many years and for the past couple years since Paresh Joshi became commander and chief. He turn this beautiful worship place into a business. We all devotees appreciate the knowledgeable priests they have, but they are handicapped by this egotistic leader. Am just furious and disappointed with this Cenotaph that they build simply it’s just a money grab. I just don’t understand What in the world was the management thinking and doing. I hope all the trustees read this article and will come into their senses. Our humble request is to please change the current regime.
All festivals should celebrate equally and announced timley also temple decoration should be same. Janmasthami flyer and email came two days ago while ganesh chaturthi celebration has been announced long time before. why in janmasthmi only certain people sing Bhajan why it was not open for all devotee. I agree with all comments don’t feel like coming to temple.
This temple used to be a great place of peace and harmony. Since 2001, there have been several greedy, unscrupulous people in the board, enriching themselves in the name of temple.
There has been several cases of misappropriation of temple resources, poor management, kick back schemes, favoritism, petty politics, disrespect to devotees and highly questionable actions by several board members.
We want law enforcement to investigate very trustee and their finances. We will uncover so much.
Its a shame, they do it in the name of religion, I bet none of the evil trustees, believe in god!
THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT OF WOOD !!!
i liked the comment of ex trustee : pl read it. ‘ i bet no boord member or volunteer believe in lord Ganesh ( symbol of vinay and vivek and wisdom). Politics is at highest with marathi group. Paresh has never donated a penny. One Trustee wants to throw out our Priest ( who is considered as one of the best in India recently received highest certification) . Hundi cash is used by these people to take tax benefit for personal benefit. most board members are silent -indirectly or directly supporting these moke shop bussiness . They wasted 300K dollars on a “TOMB making the temple kabrastan” . there are donors want to pay for hanuman mandir – these group refused to accept the donation. there is a need to change by laws. Board members must accept responsibility . The criterias must not be money/donation for board member. PL FOLLOW HINDU TEMPLE OF NEW JERSEY -HOW THEY RUN THE TEMPLE to make future generation more sanatani. new jersey – they teach yoga,meditation, sanskrit, music, discourses, books library , swadhyaya groups , with food provide free of charge because there are donors lined up for making prasad in kitchen and donors paying for items. Pl make it the center for pride for sanatanis. There must be code of conduct for all people volunteering including board members must take CE education in spirituality to be member. First dissolve Board members and rewrite by laws as per temple of new jersey or other temple. PEOPLE ARE READY TO PAY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP. IF I HAVE THE CHOICE WILL PROVIDE RFID ID TO MEMBERS AND CAMERA SYSTEM TO ENTER TEMPLE ANY TIME OF THE DAY. USE TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD BUILDING TOMB.
This is all Baised opinions of people who without donating without volunteering expect everything free and when they don’t get they throw tantrums like this instead of reaching out to people and trying to resolve like educated humans do I have been volunteering and have no issues at all hear that all new people like that they are being welcomed and they feel part of the community
If there is an outcry, listen…. We have been volunteers in the past. The president is very egoistic, rude and dominating. he does not create a conducive environment in the temple for devotees to pour in. The worst management even seen since the time the temple has opened.
Hello-
I’m extremely taken aback because, in the past decade, I’ve never encountered anything like this, not even from the priests. I’m bewildered by the sheer hatred in these comments. No group is being excluded; volunteering is a choice made by individuals. It’s impossible to compel everyone to volunteer for every event or festival. If certain festivals aren’t thriving, it suggests a lack of volunteers. While the priests may possess great knowledge, some of them may benefit from training in code of conduct and ethics. Any problems should be reported to the management. A temple is a sacred place for all devotees, and attempting to sow division through hateful comments is senseless. Defaming individuals and communities is wholly unacceptable
To dear Peter, crying devotee, ash and devotee
First it’s not cool to defame anyone or any community. Try to understand most of us are away from home and trying to find a sense of home which the Mandir provides. This is regardless of who is on board or who the priest is.
Everyone has a day job and goes the extra mile by contributing towards volunteer activities in kitchen, support or anything that is required. If a certain promotion is delayed it should be understood that there might be other things behind the scenes that might have delayed it or just the lack of volunteers showing up to offer support. Something to think about before slandering.
To those defaming the person on board, I agree that the fees for the Sunday lunch should go away but it’s wrong when you say a certain community was sidelined when we still see equal participation from all across food menus. Go check the communications for confirmation.
A request to those scapegoating current leadership, no one is made of gold but from what is seen there are definitely more better initiatives that outweigh the downsides. Since you took time to point the problems here are a few that were good – ground, volunteer initiatives, social media presence etc.
Please stop the hate. There is enough of it in the world already.
I find it perplexing why these comments carry such negativity without any detailed context. Personally, my own experiences have not been negative. I suspect these articles may be intentionally misleading.
Regarding the weekly canteen, it’s crucial for the committee to internally discuss the charges before making decisions to ensure the canteen’s sustainability. With an influx of newcomers to the Las Vegas area, the canteen serves as a valuable space for meeting new people, particularly the younger crowd.
Changing the fee structure for Puja can be achieved through a voting process. While our priests excel in matters of Dharma and their duties, it’s apparent they could benefit from communication training to enhance their interactions with people.
In light of these comments, it appears as if there might be an orchestrated effort to defame specific individuals or the community, which is a sweeping and unacceptable generalization. I firmly believe there are always opportunities for improvement. We’ve successfully completed the renovation of the temple and have gained momentum with more people gradually getting involved, which is a positive development.
Specifically to Ash,
We are Indian’s first, so please STOP giving racist comments without incomplete knowledge!
This is extremely unwelcoming & unpleasant behavior.
I am a non Marathi person and Paresh seems extremely welcoming to everyone who reaches out to him or to the temple under his presence.
Atleast respect the Indian ness aboard there is already tremendous hate in the world. Stop spreading nonsense comments.
NO FURTHER COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THIS ARTICLE. READERS ARE REQUESTED TO PLEASE ATTEND THE TOWN HALL MEETING ARRANGED BY THE TEMPLE TRUSTEES TO HEAR OUT YOUR CONCERNS AND SUGGESTIONS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU. EDITOR, VEGASDESI.COM
MEETING INFORMATION: https://www.vegasdesi.com/open-invitation-from-board-of-trustees-for-townhall-meeting-at-the-hindu-and-jain-temple/