Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, Flushing
Also written as: Ganesh Temple Flushing, Ganesha Temple Queens
Sthala varalaru: the temple's story
Walk down Bowne Street near Holly Avenue and a carved South Indian temple front appears among the houses of Queens. Inside, at the centre of the Maha Mantapam, sits the presiding deity, Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati.
Around him the hall holds shrines to many deities: Venkateswara, Mahalakshmi, Shiva as the linga, Parvati, Durga, Saraswati, Hanuman with folded palms, Dakshinamurthy facing south, Shanmukha with Valli and Devasena, Kamakshi in a black-stone sanctum, the Navagrahas, Raghavendra Swamy and the Rama Parivar.
The temple grew out of meetings held in Alagappa Alagappan's living room. The society he helped found bought land from a Russian Orthodox church that had stopped functioning, and for the next few years volunteer priests kept daily rituals and weekend services going in a small frame house on the plot. The stone temple, laid out by the Agama Sastras, was finished early in 1977 and consecrated on 4 July, American Independence Day. Twenty-six yantras went in that day. The siddha Sri La Sri Pandrimalai Swamigal of Madras had made them and spent five years worshipping them before that day.
Many visitors also come for the canteen and its idli, dosa, pongal, upma, sambar and chutney. The Ganesha Patasala runs Bharatanatyam and veena classes, and yoga classes are held as well.
Ganesha Chaturthi is the high point of the year: a nine-day Brahmotsavam that ends with Ganesha riding a chariot through the streets of Flushing, its ropes pulled by devotees to the beat of drums. In 2011 some 20,000 people came over the nine days. Devi Navaratri, Skanda Shashti, Maha Shivaratri and the monthly Sankata Hara Chaturthi and Pradosham also bring crowds.
History and architecture
The society behind the temple was registered as a non-profit in New York State on 26 January 1970. No earlier temple in North America had been built the traditional way, of granite shipped from India; this one, planned to the Agamas, was completed in early 1977 and consecrated on 4 July 1977. Its canteen started out in the basement in 1993 and moved five years later, in 1998. Reconsecration came in 2009, and the complex has more than doubled since. Bowne Street is named after John Bowne, who stood up for religious freedom.
Festivals
- Kandha Sashti (Soorasamharam)Next Sun 15 Nov 2026 · New York
- Maha ShivaratriNext Sat 6 Mar 2027 · New York
- Vinayagar ChathurthiNext Fri 3 Sep 2027 · New York
- Navarathri beginsNext Thu 30 Sep 2027 · New York
Before you go
- Confirm darshan timings, special pujas and any fees with the temple beforehand; they change on festival days.
- Wear traditional, modest clothes; some temples have a dress code.
- Photography is not allowed in the sanctum and many shrines; follow the notices.
Frequently asked
How do I get there?
You will find it at 45-57 Bowne Street, Flushing, on the corner of Holly Avenue. From Times Square, the 7 subway runs to Flushing Main Street at the end of the line, and LIRR trains out of Penn Station stop there as well. Change to a Q17 or Q25 bus, get off at Kissena Blvd by Holly Avenue, and it is two short blocks on foot. If you drive, there is a small free car park on Smart Street at the back, plus parking in the streets around.
What are the darshan timings?
Open from 8 in the morning to 8:30 at night on weekdays; at weekends it opens half an hour earlier, at 7:30. Timings change on festival days.
Is there a dress code?
Yes. No shorts, skirts above the knee or ripped jeans; the temple provides a dhoti or wrap for 5 dollars if you need one.
How is Ganesha Chaturthi celebrated at the Flushing temple?
With a nine-day Brahmotsavam. On the last day devotees pull Ganesha’s chariot through the streets of Flushing; these are the busiest days of the year.
Who runs the temple?
A non-profit society, registered in 1970, runs it. Its name: Hindu Temple Society of North America.
