The leader of the Gour Nitai organization that I interviewed was someone that is close to me and close to the organization. I interviewed my father in order to understand more about the organization as well as how he feels about the Hinduism in this country from that of Bangladesh.
He answered the questions in a various manner. But the most important aspect that he pointed our were the structures of the temples here in America. He stated that they are very different from the ones back home. The temples back in Bangladesh are more like shrines rather than an interior building. In Bangladesh they have a shrine with the mukti (statues of gods and goddess) inside the little interior part of the shrine and everyone else is outside bowing to the shrine and praying to it. The difference in this is that in America al the temples are built with an interior design. Where all the devotees and members go inside to pray. The reason for this difference in built seems to be just practical reason since in Bangladesh and India the weather is always hot with rain and here in New York we have seasonal changes.
However he did notice one similarity which made him excited to talk about. The hymns and various songs that they sing in temple today are similar to the ones that they sing back in Bangladesh. Through the music and also the classical dancing that the children learn are the same as the ones that they teach back in Bangladesh or India. He stated that the tradition still carries on through the songs and different classical dances that are taught to the children and sung in temple every time there is an event.
Though there may be differences from the temples in Bangladesh to the temples here. There are similarities as well. The main thing that my father stated was to make sure to practice the religion no matter where you may be. The differences and similarities don’t matter, the way you practice Hinduism doesn’t matter. The fact that you do is the important aspect.