The Olympia City Council designated October as Hindu Heritage Month in a proclamation endorsed at its Tuesday, Oct. 20 meeting.
Krishna Kumar of the Olympia Hindu Temple and Cultural Center (OHTCC) addressed the council, expressing gratitude for the recognition and highlighting the Hindu principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit phrase meaning "the world is one family," The JOLT reported. Kumar said the proclamation "reminds us of our collective responsibility to promote peace, extend compassion across borders, and build a community where everyone feels valued and connected."
He pointed to ongoing global conflicts and human suffering as reasons the philosophy matters now.
The proclamation listed Hindu Americans' contributions to Olympia, including Ayurveda medicine, classical art, dance, music, meditation, yoga, literature and community services.
It also acknowledged that Hindu Americans face stereotypes, misconceptions, bullying, discrimination, hate speech and bias-motivated crimes despite those contributions, according to the JOLT.
Olympia's Hindu community represents a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. The proclamation named Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Malaysian, Indonesian, Afghani, Nepali, Bhutanese, Sri Lankan, Fijian, African and European descent among them.
The OHTCC opened on Aug. 29, 2024, according to the temple's website. The nonprofit grew from small prayer gatherings into a dedicated temple and cultural center serving families across generations in the greater Olympia area. It is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organization.
The temple runs a Balagokulam program, a youth initiative that teaches Hindu values and traditions through storytelling, devotional music, games and interactive activities. Volunteers also cook and serve meals at the Salvation Army on the third Saturday of each month as part of the temple's commitment to seva, or selfless service.
The OHTCC's long-term vision calls for building a larger, permanent temple in the Olympia area with a full-time priest, daily worship services and regular festivals, according to its website.
Hindu Heritage Month falls in October to coincide with major Hindu festivals, including Navaratri and Diwali.
