History of Arya Spiritual Center

The Arya Spiritual Center over the past thirty seven years has evolved into an institution that is now an integral quilt in the cultural tapestry of New York.  Founded by Maharishi Swami Dayanand in April 1875, the Arya Samaj has inspired millions of souls worldwide to continue in the path of  "Vedic Satya Sanatan Dharma".   Missionaries such as Professor Bhaskaranand and Pandit Usharbudh Arya were sent from India to Guyana to educate and inspire followers of this tradition and heritage.  Immigrants from the East Indian diaspora brought that same heritage and culture to North America.  Pandit Ramlall, a priest, missionary and teacher of Vedic Satya Sanatan Dharma was one such individual.  He migrated from Guyana to the United States in 1979, and immediately began looking for followers of the Vedic tradition, and successfully established the Arya Spiritual Center in 1984.

The Samaj began its mission with Panditji’s vision to serve the community by continuing with Swami Dayananda’s mission of “Making the Universe Noble” by improving the physical, spiritual and social condition of mankind.  The focus was on four strategic initiatives: Spiritual Activities (conducting weekly satsangs,and missionary work in the community), Educational Activities ( conducting Hindi, music ,yoga classes, annual Vir dal Camps, monthly youth forums  and occasionally publishing articles and bulletins), Cultural Activities: (promoting and celebrating all major cultural & religious festivals on the Hindu calendar.  Collaborate and celebrate major festivals with other organizations), Social Programs: (Celebrate & Observe major milestones for members and others in the community, and provide support to the elderly and disabled).

In its formative years, ‘satsangs’ and religious celebrations were held at individual homes until it moved to the basement of the late Pandit Ramlall ji. The Samaj after many fund raising activities purchased various properties, including the land located on 133rd Street in Richmond Hill.  In 1992, the Samaj acquired the current building at 144th Street in Briarwood, Queens. This location became the signature facility for Arya Spiritual Center, Inc.  

During the 80’s,  Arya Spiritual Center pioneered the teaching of Hindi, Sanskrit and Music, organized multi-Kunda Yajnas, started the Phaguaa and Diwali Parades, conducted workshops and seminars on the Vedas, and started the annual Vir Dal Youth Camps in North America.  The Samaj over the years have introduced and launched a number of programs which today serves a standard for the entire Hindu Community. Some of these programs are the cultural plays (Ram Leelaa, Krishna Leelaa, Vishwamitra and Tulsidaas) sponsored by the Samaj, the Phaguaa and Diwali Parades which infused a cultural awakening among the Indo Caribbean Community and Baal Diwaas - a program dedicated to promoting and highlighting the talent of the Youths in the community. A Seminary was established to provide training to our priests. This has resulted in the Samaj now having on staff of trained priests who can perform Vedic ceremonies and offer researched, purposeful discourses on the Vedas and the other scriptures. In this vein, the Arya Spiritual Center launched The Sanskaar Vidhi Workshop in November of 1994 which was focused primarily to educate and train Vedic Priests in Sacraments and Rituals (Yajnas and Sanskaars).  The workshop was attended by priests from all over North America, fromn Toronto and Vancouver.  The Samaj launched Veda Vaani, the first commercial free Indian TV program in the metropolitan area.  Over the years, with the late  Pandit Ramlall (Dharmacharya) as the founding leader and spiritual head,  the Samaj, was able  to enlist  the services of Pandit Ravideen Ramsamooj (Sangeet Acharya), Pandita Bharati Ramsamooj, Pandit Bharat Singh,  Pandit Prakash Persaud,  Pandit Bharat Bisessar,, Pandit Deepak Raman, as resident pandits.  Later Pandita Davi Lakhnath, and Pta. Nirvani Prashad were given opportunities to serve in this capacity.   In 1994, the Kirtan Mandalee was formally established with Pt. Ravi Ramsamooj as the Sangeet Acharya.   In 1996, the mandir started a scholarship program for first year college students recognizing the academic achievements of its youths.   In 2018, Arya Spiritual Center  introduced the Gaayatree Yajya performed on the 1st Sunday of every month, a  feature that has been very successful and well received by the general membership.  In its community outreach, the samaj works in close collaboration with Arya Samaj mandirs and inter-faith organizations, including supporting the very successful and popular “Ramayan in the Park” and now “Naavrati in the Park”.  The Phagwa Parade founded by the ASC is now planned and executed in collaboration with the Federation of Hindu Mandirs.  Over the years, Arya Spiritual center has hosted many Vedic Scholars visiting from India and other parts of the Indian diaspora.

Every year, in collaboration with the management team, the annual Vir Dal camp is planned and launched. For the past thirty five years, thousands of students graduated from these training sessions. Through Arya Vir Dal, youths from several Hindu  mandirs and from many different states are engaged in cultural, educational, social and community events.   Monthy Youth Forums engage young people  in  discussions of current issues and help them plan cultural events.  Sangeet Teri Leye, an evening of cultural dances and musical items, is one such event.   It is obvious that  investment in in the young people is truly preparing them for life and citizenship.  Many of the young people have become respected professionals in their fields of study wherever they are at this time.

 In 2020,  the pandemic came and life as it was changed forever.  The samaj had to reinvent and adapt itself in order to remain connected with the community.  Technology became the means of communication and the samaj had to promptly join the band-waggon of ‘Zoom’ outreach.   Administrative matters were conducted remotely , as were weekly Satsangs and classes.  For two successive years, Arya Vir Dal Camps were held remotely.  The mandir expanded its outreach streaming its  weekly program via Facebook and YouTube, a feature that  appealed not only to the US community, but to a  global audience.   During the lockdown, the samaj provided food hampers to the community.  In 2021, the samaj launched a Pandits Training Program (graduation in December 2021) and a weekly meditation program.  The  Mahila group became more involved in supporting the activities of the Mandir.  

The  Mandir  has since reopened its doors to in-person satsanghs , but live streaming has now become a  permanent feature that is widely received.

Over the years, several individuals have volunteered their services to the Center and provided significant contributions in molding the Samaj and providing guidance. As Executive Director and Chariman of the Board of Trustees, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their selfless service over the years and also those who are currently serving on the various administrative committees for their commitment to the Samaj in achieving its goals.

In conclusion, let it be known that the history of Arya Spiritual Center could have been written had it not been for the vision  of its Founding Leader, the late Dharmarcharya Pt Ramlall Ji who passed away  in January 2019.   The samaj is deeply indebted to him for laying the foundation for generations after generations to continue his legacy.

  Let me also take this opportunity to thank all of our members and other well-wishers for their support over the years and trust we can count on your continued support.

By: Sagar Rajpal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Arya Spiritual Center, Inc.

                Executive Committee                                  Trustees

Bahin Diana Ramsamooj, President       Bhai Sagar Rajpal, Chairman

Bhai Naro Balli, Vice President                 Bhai Naro Balli, Member

Bahin Sirmati Persaud, General Secretary    Bahen Sirmati Persaud, Member

Pandit Deepak Raman, Member             Dr. Ravideen Ramsamooj, Member

Pandit Bharat Singh, Member                  Pandit Bharat Singh, Member

Pandit Prakash Persaud, Member           Pandita Davi Lakhnath, Member

Bhai Kishan Sugrim, Treasurer                      Bhai Jelall Budhram, Member

Bahin Anupaa Budhu, Member

Bhai Deepak Chankarsingh, Member

Bhai Avinash Dutt, Member

Bahi Niraj Ramsamoj, Member