Proclamation from the City
On October 23, 2017, Pandit Deokarran Jadubans (Manoj) and The Shaanti Bhavan Mandir was honored by the City Council Speaker, Melissa Mark- Viverito, for their leadership in the community, exemplary humanitarian efforts and becoming the first Hindu temple in the country to declare itself a sanctuary congregation.
Pandit Manoj humbly accepted this proclamation alongside the future – The NMYG and some of the devotees of the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. He echoed to the City Council and all those present at City Hall that evening “…that once you are united and join forces as one, anything is possible. The Shaanti Bhavan mandir/temple stands for love, peace, togetherness and change. It is our mission to always help despite our limitations because despite our race, creed, religion or gender, we are all on.”
Youtube Videos
News Articles
Partnership with Sadhana
Sadhana conducts workshops focused on training individuals about their rights as immigrants, including access to citizenship.
On Sunday, March 19, 2017, Shaanti Bhavan Mandir announced its decision to become the first Hindu temple in the country to declare itself a Sanctuary and join the growing nationwide Sanctuary movement for immigrant rights.
“Sanctuary” is a word that many faith communities are engaging heavily with since Election Day, and the ensuing anti-immigrant policies and actions. This word means many things to many different houses of worship. For some, it is about making physical sanctuary, and offering emergency shelter to people in crisis. For some it means symbolic sanctuary: taking a strong position on immigrant rights, and being a resource to congregants in fear and danger of deportation. Pandit Manoj Jadubans, considers “sanctuary” to be nothing other than “manav seva” or service of mankind.
The West Indian
3/25/17
Shaanti Bhavan Mandir: First Hindu Temple in the Nation to Declare Itself a Sanctuary
On Sunday March 19th, the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir announced its decision to become the first Hindu temple in the country to declare itself a Sanctuary and join the growing nationwide
Sanctuary movement for immigrant rights.
Huffington Post
3/29/17
Progressive Hindus Declare Queens Temple The First Sanctuary Of Its Kind In U.S.
The movement is focused on fighting racism, casteism and Islamophobia and promoting LGBTQ rights.
The New York Times
5/7/17
Hindu Temple in Queens Joins Sanctuary Movement
When the Shaanti Bhavan Mandir in Queens became the first Hindu temple in the nation to publicly declare itself a sanctuary congregation, part of a network of houses of worship that will support and shelter undocumented immigrants, its leaders hoped other local Hindu temples would join, too.
“Aspire for Peace by Prayers”