In early 1980’s a group of five Hindu families joined together and met in individual houses to perform Hawan, once a month. Lighting of sacrificial fire with purified butter (ghee), sandalwood, dry small pieces of wood, and samagri made of rice, sesame seeds and dry herbs mixed with purified butter, were sprinkled in the fire while chanting Vedic Hawan Mantras.

 

The group increased in numbers with the passage of time, and by early 1990’s, families from Norwich and Gt Yarmouth joined the group. By 1995, the Group has grown up to 15 families, and could not absorb in small homes. The word “Samaj” is the synonym of “Association or Society”.

 

Efforts were made in 1995 to form Ipswich Hindu Samaj, but without success. However the Samaj was listed in the national religious directory, and a contact person in Ipswich provided the necessary information on Hinduism, directly or via SIFRE (Suffolk Interfaith Resource). Dr Sushil Soni represented the Hindu Community in SIFRE and in SACRE (Suffolk County Council Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) Dr Soni also represented the community at the Annual Inter-faith Service, now the Mayor’s Community Celebration of Ipswich. He also presented “Thought of the Day” at BBC Radio Suffolk at regular intervals.

 

In 2005, the need was felt again to formalise the Ipswich Hindu Samaj, and to seek a site or premises in Ipswich for a Hindu Cultural Centre and Mandir in Ipswich, to cater the needs of the rising Hindu Community in Ipswich and Suffolk. The IHS members also helped the Ipswich & Suffolk Indian Association to organise Indian Summer Mela’s in Ipswich.

 

An open meeting was held on 26^th July 2006, and the Ipswich Hindu Samaj was formally formed with the approval of constitution. On 21^st March 2007, the Charity Commission registered the IHS, as a charity, after a minor addition to the Constitution.

 

Earlier in 2006, discussions were held with the Suffolk County Council and the Ipswich Borough Council for their support for the Hindu Cultural Centre and Mandir in Ipswich. These discussions are still continuing with the commitment of both Councils for their support.

 

Since its inception the Executive Committee and Trustees of IHS are working hard to raise funds for the Centre and Mandir. The vision of the Samaj is to make this Centre a welcome place in East Anglia region for Hindus of all traditions and for the wider community. At present, the Hindu Community members had to make a return journey of 200 miles to visit a Hindu temple.

 

The centre whilst providing a place of worship, would also cater to the social and cultural needs of the community. The Ipswich Hindu Samaj in collaboration with the Ipswich & Suffolk Indian Association, support the Indian Community and held cultural and Social programmes and where as the Ipswich Hindu Samaj hold religious festivals for Hindus and wider Community interested in knowing Hindu faith and traditions.

 

Ipswich Hindu Samaj is a voluntary and charitable organisation to relieve poverty, support the Hindu Community in their well being, culturally and Socially and to foster good community relations within the wider community by providing education and understanding of Hindu Faith and its Traditions. To encourage holistic therapy, by Yoga and Ayurvedic knowledge and to hold language, dance, music and Yoga, and Indian Vegetarian cookery classes.