Taking my shoes off, I see the familiar Gopuram in the distance. The aroma of freshly cooked lentils and sambar rice tingle my nose as I walk closer to the main hall of the Temple. Around me, there are many familiar faces wearing traditional Indian attire similarly walking towards the premises of the Temple. Oddly, I feel uncomfortable wearing jeans and a t-shirt, common attire almost everywhere else.
As an Asian-Indian growing up in America, it's tough to stay true to my cultural roots while still fitting into the environment around me. My assimilation into the American mainstream has led to me abandoning many cultural Hindu traditions. However, my visits to the local Hindu Temple has allowed me to develop a close-knit community of those like
As an Asian-Indian growing up in America, it's tough to stay true to my cultural roots while still fitting into the environment around me. My assimilation into the American mainstream has led to me abandoning many cultural Hindu traditions. However, my visits to the local Hindu Temple has allowed me to develop a close-knit community of those like