Church In Europe Converted Into Narasimha Temple? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Clip

A 1-minute 23-second video is circulating widely on social media claiming to show a church in Europe being converted into a Narasimha temple. 

Newschecker also received the video on our WhatsApp tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.

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Evidence 

A Google reverse-image search of keyframes from the viral video led us to a Flickr post by a spiritual organisation Bhakti Marga, dated September 5, 2023, featuring identical visuals and detailing the inauguration of the Paranitya Narasimha Temple in Elmira, New York.

We also found an Instagram post by Paramahamsa Vishwananda, founder of Bhakti Marga, featuring the same footage with the caption:

“Impressions from the epic first day of the Paranitya Narasimha Temple inauguration.”

We further skimmed through the official website of Bhakti Marga USA to learn more about the temple. The website describes the site as, “Nestled in the quiet town of West Elmira, New York, the Paranitya Narasimha Ashram and Temple is a spiritual hub for seekers across America.” It also states that it is the largest Narasimha temple in North and South America. 

We were also able to geo-locate the site seen in the viral clip in New York. 

Was Temple Converted From A Church?

A report by Star-Gazette, dated June 26, 2023, states that a former Catholic church in West Elmira would reopen for followers of Bhakti Marga. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, which closed in November 2021, was purchased in January 2022 by Bhakti Marga. The report noted that the property was renamed Paranitya Narasimha Temple and was introduced to the community through an inauguration ceremony.

A release by Catholic Courier, dated November 22, 2021, confirmed that Ss. Peter & Paul and Our Lady of Lourdes churches were closed on November 15, 2021.

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Verdict

The video does not show a church in Europe being converted into a Narasimha temple. It is a 2023 video from Elmira, New York, showing the inauguration of the Paranitya Narasimha Temple, developed on the premises of a church that had already been closed and later purchased by Bhakti Marga.

FAQs

Q1. Is this a viral video from Europe?
No. The video is from Elmira, New York, USA.

Q2. Was a church converted into the Narasimha temple shown in the video?
The temple was constructed on the property of a former Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, which had already been shut down prior to purchase.

Q3. When was the temple inaugurated?
It was inaugurated in 2023.

Sources
Flickr Post Bhakti Marga, Dated September 5, 2023
Instagram Post By Paramahamsa Vishwananda, Dated September 1, 2023
Report By Star-Gazette, Dated June 26, 2023
Report By Catholic Courier, Dated November 22, 2021
Bhakti Marga USA Website
Google Images