VHPA Washington DC Marks Ayodhya Mandir Anniversary in Maryland

The Washington, D.C., chapter of Vishwa Hindu Parishad America (VHPA) marked the second anniversary of the Ayodhya Mandir with a cultural event on March 21, 2026, at Gaithersburg High School in Maryland. The celebration drew more than 700 attendees and featured Indian arts, cultural traditions, and religious storytelling, emphasizing the “values of unity, peace, and the Hindu culture.”

According to a statement from the organizers, the event underscored VHPA’s work in “community engagement, cultural awareness, and service initiatives.” The program included a Nav Durga stage play, traditional Indian drum performances, dance presentations, an art exhibition showcasing local artists, a vegetarian dinner, and interactive community activities that encouraged engagement among attendees.

Participants from both Indian and non-Indian diaspora communities attended the event, coming together in a shared celebration of “faith, culture, and tradition,” the statement noted.

Mahendra Sapa, president of VHPA’s Washington, D.C., chapter, said, “We are glad to receive support from our community year after year. This was not just a festivity, but in a way it’s an effort to instill pride in the Hindu American community,” adding, “It is an honor to celebrate a life defined by devotion and legacy in honor of the late Ashok Singhal ji Visionary architect of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, whose life’s mission bridged the gap between a 500-year promise and the grand temple in Ayodhya.”

Dr. Suresh Gupta, a community member who attended the event, expressed appreciation for VHPA’s Ayodhya Mandir anniversary celebrations, highlighting the organization’s continued “dedication to showcasing centuries of cultural and historical heritage.” He noted that this year’s program, which featured a portrayal of Goddess Durga in her many forms by local artists and children, was especially impactful.

The statement added that Dr. Gupta described the performance as both inspiring and memorable and shared plans to invite the group to present it again at the Durga Temple during the inauguration of its new expansion in fall 2026.

More than 70 volunteers contributed to the event, which organizers said was particularly popular among younger attendees, who participated enthusiastically in performances and musical segments featuring drums and storytelling.

Pratyaksh Pai, vocalist for the Bhajans Musical Group, said “the event was in the honor of the holy Temple of Lord Chandra’s birthplace in an area called Ayo [in India]. That’s where the temple opened two years ago, so we’re here to celebrate the two-year anniversary of that wonderful, blessed temple opening. I am really honored to be a part of this event.”

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