We are writing this letter to request the Ma Durga Temple to reconsider the termination of Pandit Ji (Mr Jagdish Rajgor) as the temple’s priest.

 The heart-breaking news about the termination of Pandit ji’s employment by the Ma Durga Temple's board and management have come as a shock to the devotees of the Ma Durga Temple and to the community that continues to support it.

 Over the years, the temple has grown to be a significant part of the community in Los Angeles, attracting devotees from not only Pasadena and its surrounding cities, but from as far as Orange, Ventura and San Diego Counties.

 The role Pandit ji and his wife, Nayna, played in growing this temple to prominence in the community cannot be understated. It is their warm, nurturing and welcoming nature that has drawn so many of us to the Ma Durga temple. We have embraced them and they are as much a part of our families, as we are theirs. We want to see this community to continue to grow.

 For those of us who have been frequenting the temple since the early days back in 2006, we remember how only a small number of devotees used to visit the temple and how that number grew and continue to grow following the arrival of Pandit ji.

 Pandit ji’s relentless efforts to attract new devotees, encourage our participation in not only the rituals, but also in helping around the temple, has been instrumental in growing the community here and bringing us closer. Many of us have made new friends, our kids enjoy coming to the temple, and we feel closer to home. We owe it to Pandit ji and Nayna and as a community, they will have our continued support.

We humbly urge the temple to reconsider the decision to terminate Pandit ji’s contract and restore him as the priest of the Ma Durga Temple. If there is an issue or crisis the temple is going through, please share it with us and we will try our best to help the management so that it doesn’t disrupt what is most important to us. We truly want to see this temple continue to grow and with your continued support and the devotees’ support it can achieved.

Thank you for your consideration