The Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi (HTSM), was first established in 1986 for the preservation of Sanatana Dharma, commonly known as Hinduism. Hinduism, a Henotheistic religion with origins in the Indian subcontinent, is the oldest major religion and is practiced by 14% of the world population today. It is a way of life defined by two categories of texts: The Shruti, which are believed to be of divine origin, and Smriti, which define the Hindu traditions. Although, some Hindus immigrated to North America at the turn of the previous century, most of the migration from India into the United States began during the second half of the last century, after India gained independence from the British Raj. Today, Hindus comprise less than 0.9% of the US population. The Hindu Diaspora into Mississippi took root in the late 1960’s when numerous basic scientists moved into the state in order to teach at various universities. A wave of Hindu physicians moved into Mississippi starting early in the 1970’s, followed by businessmen who became more prominent in the mid to late 1980’s. The last major influx into Mississippi was by the IT professionals in the 1990’s.