How It All Began: A Journey of Devotion with Chellapaji.

It all started in the fall of 2020, when Chellapaji joined our Deepawali celebration over Zoom. He had recently moved to Spokane, and like many of us during the pandemic, was seeking connection through virtual gatherings. At the time, we hadn't met him in person, but there was a calm sincerity in his presence that left an impression.

A Divine Connection Begins

In February 2021, just a few months after that Zoom call, Chellapaji reached out to me. He asked if I knew someone who was a vegetarian who could help him perform Shiv Abhishek for Mahashivratri. Without hesitation, I offered my home for the pooja and invited a few friends to join. That morning became the very first time we met him in person, and it was the beginning of something much larger.

The Birth of a Weekly Tradition

Soon after, inspired by his guru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami and his successor Bodhinatha Veylanswami, Chellapaji proposed a weekly Ganesh Pooja to seek blessings for a temple in Spokane. He volunteered to lead the rituals, and a few families hosted them in rotation. By summer, when others stepped away, the poojas continued at our home every Sunday, without pause.

From Home Prayers to a Temple Space

On August 29, 2021, those weekly prayers led to a significant milestone: the opening of Spokane's first Hindu temple space, a rented suite in the FAVS building. The weekly Ganesh Poojas continued there faithfully every Sunday until January 2025, when we transitioned to our new and more permanent venue. The tradition now continues every Wednesday evening, with the same spirit

and consistency.

One of the most sacred additions to our temple is the Panchamukha Ganapati murti, donated by Chellapaji’s guru as a blessing to begin this journey. It now holds a central place in Spokane Hindu Temple and Cultural Center and in our hearts.

A Pillar of Stability and Service

Before all this, we were uncertain—renting spaces month to month, not knowing how many people would show up, or where we would go next. But Chellapaji's unwavering devotion and his guru's blessings helped us envision and manifest a permanent spiritual home for our community. Today, Chellapa Devaji continues to serve as a volunteer. He joyfully leads weekly Ganesh Poojas, aartis, and bhajans, and also supports families with home poojas across Spokane. He is a disciple of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, the founder of Kauai's Hindu Monastery, Hinduism Today magazine, and the Hindu Heritage Endowment. Chellapaji's spiritual journey into Hinduism is incredibly inspiring.

Read about it in his own words - Freewill: A Hindu Perspective

A Community Rooted in Devotion

What began with a Zoom call during the pandemic has grown into a thriving, grounded spiritual community. At the center of it all is one soul's devotion and his willingness to serve. We are blessed to have Chellapa Deva Ji, as part of our journey, and through him, the guiding light of his guru, continues to shine on all of us.

-The article was reviewed and approved by Chellapaji.