Shri Surya Narayan Mandir Temple

Shri Surya Narayan Mandir, Inc (SSNM) was founded in 1993 by the late Dharmacharya Pt. Hardowar Panday and its mission is to serve as a teaching institution of Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism).  The primary goal of Surya Mandir is to bring out the true essence, philosophy, and teachings of our Shastras during regular services, programs, and classes in an easily understandable manner. It is our hope that all devotes especially the children will utilize these teachings and inculcate the values thought into their lives as they strive to reach the ultimate goal of mankind, Moksha. Along with Guruji, SSNM is lead by a talented and dedicated group of executives and Pandits.  Pandit Sewram Hardowar, Pandit Tulsie Bisesar, Pandit Anand Hardowr, and Pt. Ishwar Tiwari lead SSNM-New York, and Pandit Vishnu Hardowar leads SSNM-Florida.  Our resident Priests are assisted by many junior pandits who are attending an ongoing in-house training program There are many programs at SSNM where the learned Pandits and teachers distill the essence and philosophy of our Shastras (Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Bhagawat Gita, etc) so that all devotees from young to old can understand the teachings of our Sanatan Dharma.   Some of our programs and classes are as follows: Services offered at Mandir (Please refer to our services section for additional details)

• Regular Sunday Service
• Lord Shiva Abhishekam
• Purnima
• All religious festivals

Classes Offered at Mandir (Please refer to our services section for additional details)

• Dance (Kathak)
• Pandit Training
• Surya Veer Sang Classes
• Tabla Classes
• Vedanta
• Vocal & Harmonium
• Yoga and Meditation

SSNM is very lucky to have great executives and several groups of hard working people without whom the mission and goal of SSNM would be difficult if not impossible to achieve.  These groups teaches the classes; maintain and clean the Mandir; organize events; support the pandits; conduct fund raisers in order to provide scholarships to youths; conduct medical and educational outreach; and help to take care of the day to day operations of SSNM.

• Alter Prep/Clean Up Group
• Cooking Groups
• Facilities Coordinator
• Kirtan Group
• Maintenance Group
• Pandits in Training
• Services Coordinator (Abhishekam, Satya Narayan Katha)
• Surya Devi Mandalee
• Surya Narayan Seva Outreach Sang
• Surya Veer Gurukulam
• Teachers (Surya Veer Sang, Music & Tabla, Dance, Yoga)
• Youth Group

Shri Surya Narayan Mandir would like to extend an invitation to all to come and visit us, and to participate in our various programs.

The Founder of Shri Surya Narayan Mandir

His holiness, Pt. Hardowar Panday Ji, established the first Surya Mandir in North America. Panditji started his career as a Priest at the tender age of ten. As a little boy, he had to represent his father at religious and community affairs. His Guru, Pt. Lallman Sukul Vidyalankar was very prominent and knowledgeable along with his Vidya Guru Pt. Basdeo Sharma. He motivated the residents of Crabwood Creek, Guyana to construct a Mandir, which today stands with its beautiful Murties as a symbol of his love and dedication. It was in recognition of his outstanding service to Sanatan Dharma that the Guyana Pandits Council, in 1972, awarded him the prestigious title of “Dharma Ratna.” He migrated to the United States in August 1988; where he continued serving his community with the same zeal and enthusiasm. During retirement he compiled and published a very thorough and authoritative book on Hindu rituals, entitled “Karma Kandha Padhati,” along with a number of prayer and bhajan books. Even at the age of 80 years, Panditji was still full of vigor and energy, for he continues to serve his fellow Hindus in the NYC area, by establishing the first Surya Mandir in New York. At Shri Surya Narayan Mandir, Panditji had a tremendous impact on the lives of all devotees. In recognition of his years of service, he was awarded the most prestigious title of Dharmacharya. His plans are now underway for another Shri Surya Narayan Mandir in Florida.