IRVING, Texas (Diya TV) — The 18th Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC) conference, held in partnership with the Hindu Mandir Priests’ Conference (HMPC), drew hundreds of Hindu leaders, priests, and devotees to Dallas-Fort Worth from Sept. 12 to 14. The event, hosted at the DFW Mandir in Irving, Texas, celebrated Hindu traditions under the theme “The MahaKumbh of Sanatan Traditions.”
The three-day gathering featured more than 50 speakers and brought together representatives from over 67 Hindu organizations across North America and the Caribbean. Supported by 19 sponsors, the conference focused on the crucial role of Mandirs and priests in preserving Hindu culture and faith within the diaspora.
Since its launch in 2006, HMEC has served as a platform for temples and Hindu organizations to collaborate and share best practices. HMPC, which began in 2012, complements this mission by focusing on priests and spiritual leadership. Both initiatives operate under the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA).
VHPA President Tejal Shah emphasized the spiritual and cultural importance of Mandirs, saying, “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.”
The conference opened with Vedic chanting and a Shanti Mantra led by Amitabh Mittal, followed by prayers for peace amid recent events in Dallas. Keynote speakers included Swami Svatmananda ji of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, who focused on unity and Vedantic wisdom, and Swami Bhakta Rakshaka ji of Fundación Bhagavata Dharma, South America, who explored consciousness in the age of artificial intelligence.
Vallabha Tantry, HMEC convenor, said the theme drew inspiration from 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,” Tantry explained.
The conference recognized outstanding contributions to the Hindu community. Dr. Prakasa Rao Velagapudi and Paramacharya Sadasivanatha Swami received the HMEC Key Contributor Award. Shri Pankaj Kumar of Ved Puran highlighted the need to preserve Vedic knowledge. Priest awards included six Archaka Bhushana and three Archaka Shree honors, acknowledging their dedication to spiritual service.
Parallel sessions focused on Mandir management, youth involvement, and sustainability. A hackathon organized by the Hindu Students Council explored new models for Mandirs in the modern era. Chairperson Sohini Sircar said, “We dedicated an entire plenary session to elevating young Hindu voices and exploring new ways to support students.”
The conference also hosted exhibitions from organizations such as the Hindu University of America, Americans4Hindus, and the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation. Special recognition went to the Bhutanese Hindu community for its resilience and efforts in community building.
