The Sri Venkateswara Temple is a Hindu temple located in Bridgewater, New Jersey, U.S.[1] In 1998, the traditional stone temple was inaugurated.[2][3] The temple is 11,000 square feet.[4]
In 1989, a group of practicing Hindus in areas surrounding New Jersey established the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of USA Inc. (HTCS).[4] In February 1992, the HTCS purchased land in Bridgewater, New Jersey in hopes of building a traditional stone temple.[3][4] Devotees began engaging in regularly scheduled spiritual activities and worship in the building previously built on the purchased land, as the planning for a new temple continued.[3] In 1995, the ground breaking ceremony of the new temple was performed.[3] In May 1996, a stone laying ceremony was conducted by Chinna Jeeyar Swami and the temple construction began according to the Vastu Shastras.[3][4] In 1998, consecration ceremony was conducted by Chinna Jeeyar Swami and other priests and the temple was inaugurated.[3]
In 2019, the Bridgewater zoning board approved the temples plan for expanding facilities.[5] They made a parking lot in the back with a specifc place to hold car pooja as one of their services. This is a ritual that Hindus do to honor the vehicle that helps them travel. They also built a cafeteria inside the temple serving various Indian food. They made a mandapam, also known as stage, for marriages, Indian dance recitals, and other such events.
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