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Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council holds 18th annual conference in Dallas
The three-day event brought together leaders from over 67 organizations across North America and the Caribbean.
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Pranavi Sharma - Mon, 22, Sep 2025
- 02:13 EDT
- 20
Group photo of all the attendees. / HMEC
The 18th Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC) conference, held jointly with the Hindu Mandir Priests’ Conference (HMPC), took place from Sept. 12 to 14 at DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) Mandir in Irving, Texas. The event, themed 'The MahaKumbh of Sanatan Traditions', drew participation from more than 67 organizations and featured over 50 speakers.
Supported by 19 sponsors, the gathering highlighted the role of Mandirs and priests in preserving and strengthening Hindu traditions within the diaspora.
HMEC, first held in 2006, and HMPC, which began in 2012, were both launched under the auspices of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA). The conferences aim to create a collaborative platform for temples and Hindu organizations across North America and the Caribbean.
VHPA President Tejal Shah said, “Our Mandirs serve as centers of Shraddha (faith), Buddhi (knowledge), Karuna (compassion), and Ekta (unity). They are anchors of identity for the diaspora — nurturing future generations while honoring the richness of our ancestral traditions.”
Keynote speakers included Swami Svatmananda ji of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, who emphasized unity and Vedantic wisdom. / HMECKeynote speakers included Swami Svatmananda ji of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, who emphasized unity and Vedantic wisdom, and Swami Bhakta Rakshaka ji of Fundación Bhagavata Dharma, South America, who spoke about consciousness in the age of artificial intelligence.
The opening ceremony featured Vedic chanting, a Shanti Mantra led by Amitabh Mittal, and prayers for peace following recent events in Dallas. Convenor Vallabha Tantry noted, “Inspired by the sacred spirit of the Kumbh Mela, this year’s theme — ‘Hindu Diaspora: Mahakumbh of Sanatan Traditions’ — reflects our vision of HMEC as a modern-day confluence of temples, priests, volunteers, and devotees from across North America.”
The conference also recognized contributions to the community. Dr. Prakasa Rao Velagapudi and Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Swami received the HMEC Key Contributor Award. Shri Pankaj Kumar of Ved Puran addressed the importance of preserving Vedic knowledge. Awards for priests included six Archaka Bhushana and three Archaka Shree honors.
The conference also recognized contributions to the community. / HMEC
Parallel sessions covered Mandir management, youth engagement, and sustainability. A hackathon organized by the Hindu Students Council explored future models for Mandirs. Chairperson Sohini Sircar said, “We dedicated an entire plenary session to elevating young Hindu voices and exploring new ways to support students.”
Exhibitions and booths from groups such as the Hindu University of America, Americans4Hindus, and the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation added to the breadth of the conference. Special recognition was given to the Bhutanese Hindu community for their resilience and community building.
The conference concluded with a screening of the film 'The Caste Rush'.
ALSO READ: 'The Caste Rush' screening draws crowds across U.S.
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