Queens Hindu Temple Faces Closure Over Funding Crisis

The Shri Shakti Mariammaa Temple in Queens, New York, founded in 2008 and serving the Indo-Caribbean Hindu community, is facing imminent closure due to urgent financial needs for building upgrades required by city regulations. Recognized for its inclusive approach, the temple welcomes women and marginalized groups, including same-sex couples, and rejects traditional taboos such as menstruation restrictions. Its rural-style worship features rituals involving trance and spiritual possession, offering sanctuary to congregants who may be excluded elsewhere. Community members have launched a GoFundMe campaign and issued appeals for support to keep the temple open. The temple's potential closure threatens a vital spiritual and cultural refuge for many in New York. Congregants see its survival as essential for providing acceptance, healing, and a sense of belonging.