The first day at the new Durga Hindu Temple in Greenburgh was a success. 

“It’s amazing, we have our own temple, we see people that we know and we can socialize” said temple vice president, Prem Singla.

“People just started pouring in, we opened up the temple at 8:30 a.m., until 5 p.m. people were just coming in and in and in," recounts temple president, Dr. Ashok Chopra.

The temple can fit well over 200 people. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 5% of the population in Westchester is Asian, and Hindu is the largest subgroup. 

And it’s not just a temple, it’s a place for the community to come and learn the history of their culture, their land, language and so much more.

“They’ll be learning for the kids and senior people. Most of our younger population they are born here, they’re not connected to country back home in India,” said Chopra. 

It took about nine years of fundraising to raise enough money to build this temple - almost $2 million - and it was raised entirely by the congregants. 

“It’s a small congregation but very strong, very passionate,” said Chopra.