Satsang Sandesh. A monthly news magazine of. Vol. 44 No. 1 Phone: (855) MYMANDIR ( ) APRIL 2014

Transcription

1 Satsang Sandesh A monthly news magazine of India Temple Association, Inc. Hindu Temple, 25 E. Taunton Ave, Berlin, NJ SOUTH JERSEY DELAWARE PENNSYLVANIA (Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organization, Tax ID # ) Vol. 44 No. 1 Phone: (855) MYMANDIR ( ) APRIL 2014 Religious Calendar Mar 31 Monday Chaitri New Year/ Gudi Padva/ Ugadi/ Chetichand Apr 5&6 Saturday&Sunday Akhand Ramayana/ Kamada Ekadashi April 8 Tuesday Shri Rama Navami April 12 Saturday Chetichand celebration Apr 14 Monday Tamil New Year April 15 Tuesday Hanuman Jayanti April 25 Friday Varuthani Ekadashi April 27 Sunday Shri Vallabhacharya Jayanti Monthly Activities Smt. Kshama Raghuveer (707) April 5, Friday Vishnu Sahasranama Parayanam April 14, Monday Shri Satyanarayan Puja / Katha on Purnima pm April 19, Saturday Sunderkand Path 10am Monthly Bhajans Apr 18, Friday, 8-9 p.m. Satya Sai Baba of Medford P.K. Prabhakar Sesha Vemuri Apr 25, Friday, 8-9 pm Shree Ji Bhajan Group Urmi Upadhya Charu Sheth (856) Upcoming Programs in April Akhanda Ramayana Paath April 5, 10am to April 6, 12pm Shri Ram Navami Tuesday April 8, 2014, 10am to 12:30pm and 7pm to 8:30pm CHETI CHAND Sindhi New Year Celebrations Saturday, April 12, 4pm onwards Purnima / Satyanarayan Puja Monday April 14 at 6 pm Hanuman Jayanti Tuesday, April 15 from 6pm to 8pm Sundarkand Paath Saturday April 19 at 10 am Dr. Ram Kamaldasji sermon on "SUNDERKAAND" From Ramayana Monday, April 28 to Friday, May 2, 7pm-8:30pm; Saturday May 3, 10:30-12pm, followed by mahaprasad Shri Vallabhacharya Jayanti April 27, Sunday, from 3pm to 6pm, followed by mahaprasad sponsored by Gita Satsang group Special Prayers ITA has a program whereby you can have prayers performed on your behalf every year on a special day in your life by pledging $301. Also, at your request, Shri. Bhupendra Shuklaji or Shri Sudhir Jhaji will perform a special puja on your behalf, or the regular temple puja performed on the designated day will be dedicated in your name. Below are the donors for this month. Babaria Ashok Apr 02 Brunt Arpana & David Apr 19 Gujrathi Urmila Apr 02 Desai Shailendra Apr 19 Bhatt Narendra Apr 03 Patel Arny & Deepal Apr 20 Gandhi Kevin Apr 03 Choksi Yogendra B. Apr 22 Sheth Surendra Apr 04 Jain Nimisha & Rajen Apr 22 Patel Savitaben Apr 06 Khurana Samir Apr 22 Pandya Dipti Apr 08 Dube Neal Apr 23 Shah Upen Apr 12 Rao Ramachandra Apr 25 Patel Vaishali Apr 13 Kothari Hansa H. Apr 28 Vasa Siddhi Apr 15

2 Condolences One of our founding member Dr. Urmilaben Gujrathi's mother Smt. Bhanuben Navnitlal Mehta passed away on March 18, 2014 at the age of 87. She is survived by Sons Bhupendra, Vinod and Prashant, daughter Urmila, and eight grand children and 2 great grand children. ITA and its board extend their sincere condolences to Mehta family. HINDU SENIOR CITIZENS - TWO MEETINGS DURING APRIL AT ICC April 10 Dr. Inder P. Goel, one of the best cardiac surgeons in the profession, will speak to us about the coronary artery disease as it pertains to the Indian population. Fats, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of our blood vessels over a period of time and form a type of plaque, some of which breaks off to form a blood clot to block the flow of blood, which leads to a heart attack or a stroke. Dr. Goel will explain how this is preventable and what foods are good or not good for a healthy life style. It will be an interactive session in a simple language understandable to non-professionals. Good health is the basic mechanism for being independent and for ensuing brimful enjoyment of life. This session should interest all seniors. April 24 We will have a highly entertaining session of brain-teasing interactive games, puzzles, and quizzes of fun for one and all. Sarla Gupta, JP Gupta, and Dev Gupta have the expertise in this area and they are preparing for a funfilled evening. Come and be a part of the amusing and challenging moments. Please RSVP for your fist and second meetings by Monday, April 7. If you want to RSVP for your second meeting later please do so by Monday, April 21. Both the meetings will end with dinner provided by member families who are already signed up for it. S. Gambhir, President HSCSJ Hanuman Jayanti Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at 6pm to 8pm Hanuman Jayanti is celebration of birth of Lord Hanuman. We are celebrating Hanuman Jayanti a little more elaborately this year. Nitin Khanna who regularly attends and sings at the Sunderkand Paath held on the 3rd Saturday of the month at our mandir has volunteered to organize a wonderful program for Hanuman Jayanti which is on Tues April 15th. You may remember his melodious bhajans on Maha Shivratri celebrations at our temple. Led by Nitin Khanna, we will recite Hanuman Chalisa 11 times, and sing Kirtan, Bhajan, Dhun. All followed by Aarti and Mahaprasad. CHETI CHAND Sindhi New Year Celebrations at Hindu Temple, Berlin NJ on Saturday, April 12, 2014, 4pm onwards Cheti Chand is celebrated on the second day (Chand - new moon day) of the 1 st month in the Hindu New Year - Chaitra (Chet in Sindhi). It is also the birthday of Jhulelal or Dariyalal or Jinda Pir - the Ishta Dev of Sindhi Hindus. This is the most significant day for the Sindhi community and is celebrated all over the world with traditional pomp and gaiety. On this day Jhulelal is worshipped. Rice and sugar are offered to the habitants of the ocean as Jhulelal came from the ocean on a whale and protected the community from the cruel rulers of Sindh. The Sindhi community of South Jersey will celebrate New Year/Cheti Chand at the Hindu Temple in Berlin on Saturday, April 12th, We will have bhajans starting at 4 pm, followed by langar prasad at 6 pm. All are welcome to attend. RSVP to Sheela Alwani at or Deepa & Hiroo Pahilajani at or Anju Varindani at "Jhulelal Bera-Hee-Paar"

3 BalVihar and Yuva Darshan Annual Day Come one, come all! Friends and family are invited to attend the BalVihar and Yuva Darshan Annual Day, an amalgam of dances, skits, and shlokas performed by the Bal-Vihar and Youth students to exhibit what they have learned throughout the year. Annual Day will be held on Saturday, May 3th, 2014, at Thomas E. Harrington Middle School. Vallabh Jayanti Celebration Shri Mahaprabhuji is the founder of religious sect called Pushtimarg. He was born in the year 1478 A.D. at a Champaranya village near Raipur in Madhya Pradesh. He is one of the foremost Indian philosophers taking the rank amongst the first class Acharyas who has expounded the school of Shuddha-advaita. Vallabhacharya her-alded a new era of Bhakti-Marga, which teaches unswerving love toward God admitting everyone in the fold, irrespective of sex, cast or nationality. Pushti Marga, the path of grace as founded by Shri Vallabhacharya is very easy to follow as a way of life by common people. Once you commit yourself to God by ritual of Brahma-Sambanth, God takes care of you unconditionally. He takes you to Pushti Marga by his teaching of Shrodas- Grantha. In Pushti Margs, Bhakti is not a means, but an end. It is also called Premlakshana Bhakti. Shri Vallabhcharya s other works include Anu-Bhashya (Commentary on Brahma Sutra), tattva Dipa Nibandha and Subodhini (Commentary on Bhagavata). Vallabha regards Shrimad Bha-gvata as the most authentic work on knowledge of God. The Hindu Temple in Berlin will celebrate Vallabh Jayanti on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. There will be a chanting of Pusti marg s Yamunasthaka, and other PĀTHA, fol-lowed by melodious Kirtans. Mahaprasad will be served after Aarti at 6:00 PM. The Wednesday Gita Satsang Group and friends will sponsor the event at the Temple. If you are interested in taking part in the event, please call Minu Desai ( ), Kirti Doshi ( ), Amita Talati ( ) or Amita Desai ( ). Sri Rama Navami Sri Raghavam Dasharadhatmajam aprameyam Sitapathim Raghukulanvaya Ratna Deepam Aajanubahum Aravinda Dalayathaksham Ramam Nishachara Vinashakaram Namami Date : Saturday, April 5 11:00 AM to Sunday, April 6, 12:00 Noon Akhand Ramayana Path will commence from Saturday, April 5 at 11:00 AM and will continue through the night into next day morning, Sunday, April 6 12:00 Noon. ITA invites everyone to come and participate in reading of Ram Charita Manas. Shri Rama Navmi will also be celebrated as a part this program on 1st April with special Pooja of Rama Parivar followed by Maha-Prasad at noon on April 6, Those who want to help in this observance of Ram Navami Pooja can call: Meena Bhatnagar, or Rano Vasisht,

4 ITA Seva Samiti update by Sadhna Kothari Seva Samiti Open House on Friday March 14th The 2014 Open House/Family night kicked off at 6:30 pm with salad and pizza for dinner. Our Bal Vihar children and Youth with their parents as well as Mandir members were in attendance, creating a warm atmosphere. We convened in the main Mandir Hall after dinner for the handing out of certificates to the Youth contingent, for their wonderful volunteer work. Lataji, our Seva Samiti Chair spoke about the importance of Seva work and how our Hindu values behoove us to give back to our own community and neighborhood. We had Aarti and then relaxed into viewing the movie I Am Kalam the tale of a young boy born into a life of poverty who dreamed of a bigger and better life and made every effort to secure an education, influenced by his Hero, President Abdul Kalam. Projects like the sandwich program for the homeless, community outreach, Cancer Walk and Golden Shield are revving up for the year and volunteers are needed and invited to join in the effort. We have opportunities and advantage and sharing with others who do not, only adds to the fullness in our lives. ***INSPIRE*** ***ENCOURAGE*** ***VOLUNTEER*** JAI SHREE KRISHNA ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~ SAVE THE DATE & SIGN UP ITA Seva Samiti walks with American Cancer Society in the Relay for Life of Marlton When: Saturday, May 31st, 2014 from 4pm-Midnight Location: Cherokee High School, Marlton To sign up or for more details contact Chetna Giyanani at (856) or chetnatemple@gmail.com Bal Vihar - New Beginning By: Vikram Meyyappan The first Balvihar session in March started out with the chanting class with Malathi aunty. Chanting class was from 9:30 to 9:50 during Balvihar. This week, we focused on the sloka Gurur Brahma and the proper way to say it. After the chanting class, we headed out to the main hall. In the regular session, we chanted many slokas too. Afterwards, Ramesh uncle told us two stories about Holi. Bhavish uncle made some new announcements. He spoke about the open house and movie night at the Berlin Temple. He also said that Annual Day will be held at the Thomas E. Harrington Middle School on May 3 rd, He said that the fee would be $20 per family for Annual Day. While we were at class and doing yoga, the parents were at the Happiness Workshop which was organized by the Art of Living volunteers. We had pizza, as usual, and everybody liked it. The second Balvihar session was at the Indian Cultural Center (ICC). It is a new building that was built especially for the Balvihar family and to the rest of the community. I am sure most of the Balvihar students were excited to go there! There was no chanting class this session. We all gathered in one big auditorium and chanted the regular slokas, and Ramesh uncle told us a story about throwing away hatred and trying to adjust with everyone. Also, Chetna aunty announced the cancer walk. She said that the ITA Seva Samiti joins hands with the American Cancer Society in the Relay for Life on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at the Cherokee High School and asked those who were interested to sign up for the walk. She also mentioned ITA issues community service hours to student participants and volunteers. We had classes and yoga. The classrooms, which were big, were on different floors. Yoga was held in the main auditorium. We had pizza for lunch and we all had a wonderful time at the ICC with the help of everyone who made this possible.

5 Monthly Pujas at Mandir It is a pleasure to perform Satyanarayan puja and read Sunderkand Path at our Temple with family and friends. We invite you to join us and perform Satyanarayan puja every Purnima day with family and friends and receive the blessings of Almighty God. Donations are welcome. Suggested donation is $ 31. It is followed by Mahaprasad generously sponsored by Indian Villa. Please join us for Sunderkand Path held on third Saturday of every month. Mahaprasad generously sponsored by Gagan Palace. Jai Krishna, Kshama ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~ Dr. Ram Kamaldasji s sermons on "SUNDERKAAND" From Ramayana Dr. Ram Kamaldasji, Pujya Maharaj-ji, a resident of Varanasi, India, is an expert speaker. He has captured the hearts of devotees all over India and in many, many parts of the world, including but not limited to devotees in UK, Germany, Fiji, New Zealand and USA. He has written and published several books, such as Bhakti Path, Vedanta Pravah and Manas Vandana. Having a Ph.D. in Upanishads and MA in Hindi, he is an internationally known "Kathakar". He was invited in the year 2000 for and by the United Nations Religious Conference and it is our great fortune that he has blessed our temple, congregation and community every year since then. This year's sermons will be on "SUNDERKAAND" From Ramayana at the following time and dates at our temple. Monday, April 28-7pm - 8:30pm Tuesday, April 29-7pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, April 30-7pm - 8:30pm Thursday, May 1st - 7pm - 8:30pm Friday, May 2nd 7pm - 8:30pm Saturday, May 3rd - 10:30 am - 12 Noon, followed by Maha Prasad. For Further inquiry pl call Drs. Amrit & Anju Nayar at , Or Devendra & Rachita Singh at Or Rakesh & Nila Kohli at ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~ ITA Gita Vichara Group Gita Vichara Group in Marlton just completed their studies of Bhagvad Gita and now ready to begin the new text, Tattvabodha, on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2014 at 8:00 PM at Sandhya and Nitin Motiwala residence at 2 Elizabeth Court, Marlton, NJ Though the group meets in a private home the class is open to community members. If you are interested, please contact Lata Pimplaskar who is the moderator of the class at or latap@comcast.net. Tattvabodha: Bodha means knowledge. tattva means the essence or the Truth. The text covers the vision of the essence of everything. "The Truth of everything" - gross, subtle and causal body, Atma, Devatas, and Karmas and it's results with cycle of birth and death. Join us! Hari Om! Lata Pimplaskar ITA Yuva Darshan By:Sanjana Kondapalli Reciting mantras marked the beginning of another great day of youth program on March 9 th. We recited the five shlokas that everyone was required to memorize, which was a success. Afterwards, we woke ourselves up with yoga. It was a great way to start the day off! Subsequently, the youths talked about the four goals of a hindu, which are artha, kama, moksha, and dharma. We next played a nice game of Sher Bakari. We had so much fun! After that we had aarthi and lunch, which was pizza.

6 Donation Appeal From the Desk of ITA President Dear members and supporters, The mission of ITA is to maintain a place of worship and center for cultural activities that provides a platform for religious and cultural activity through which Hindu religion, philosophy, and way of life may flourish, for generations. We conduct BalVihar,Yuva Darshan, Art Class, Yoga Abhyas. We award ITA Scholarships to High school seniors and we host Graduation Yagna. We hold Gita classes for adults twice a week. We hold monthly pujas, bhajans, and celebrate festivals. We hold discourses by visiting SwamiJi s. We perform seva to our Indian and American community here and abroad. We take part in interfaith efforts. Our Mandir executives attend HMEC conferences. We engage you with all these programs and various activities to fulfill our mission. We rely on your generous donations of time and money to fulfill our mission. WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT WE NEED FUNDS? ITA is looking for SPONSORS for the following expenses: Prayer Hall & Foyer Ceiling Tiles & LED Lighting Replacement $11,600 Festivals & Celebrations (Graduation Yagna, July 4 th Parade, Pran Pratishtha) $5,700 ITA Scholarship $2,500 General (2015 Hindu Calendar, Printing) $18,500 Sponsorship need not be for the full amount. Sponsorship of $500 or more will be recognized with a name plate on a plaque. The breakdown for the above items is listed below LED LIGHTS $1,120 LIGHT FIXTURES $1,750 CEILING TILES-WORSHIP HALL $6,200 CEILING TILES FOYER $1,500 MISCELLANEOUS $1,030 JULY 4 TH PARADE $900 PRAN PRATISHTHA (TENT, FOOD) $4,000 GRADUATION YAGNA $800 HINDU CALENDAR $3,500 ITA SCHOLARSHIP $2,500 PRINTING $15,000 WHAT ARE SOME EVENTS FOR WHICH WE NEED HELP? Currently, we celebrate many festivals, some with the aid of active community members who organize the entire event taking care of sponsorships. There are holidays and festivals we would like to celebrate and are actively seeking organizers. These are: January 1 st, Lohri, Saraswati puja, Janmashtmi (dahi hundi for kids), Dashara (effigy & fireworks), Diwali (fireworks), Vikaram Samvat New Year - Snacks team, Gita Jayanti Mahaprasad sponsor If you are interested to help in these areas: please contact Kshama Raghuveer, Darshan Chair, at kshamatemple@gmail.com or Charu Sheth sheth_charu@yahoo.com or Vinaya Vardhana, Program SubCommittee chair at vinayavardhana@gmail.com Please donate generously with your time and money. Sponsorship need not be for the full amount. Sponsorship of $500 or more will be recognized with a name plate on a plaque. Yours in Humble Service, Sangeeta Rashatwar LIFE TIME MEMBERSHIP The following members have contributed $101 to become Senior Life Members: Pradip & Sonali Basak The following members have contributed $1,001 to become Life Members of ITA: Deepak & Meeta Chaturvedi Your patronage is appreciated. We hope to earn your trust by continuing to teach Arts, culture, and our religious heritage by celebrating festivals in order to preserve and propagate our faith for generations to come.

7 Programs for Your Spiritual Growth YOGA ABHYAS FOR HEALTH, HAPPINESS & GOD REALIZATION: A program for adults on Yogasana, Pranayam & Meditation. First Sunday: 9:30-11:30 a.m. at our Mandir Contact: Virendra (856) GITA STUDY GROUP: Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 8-9 p.m. at our Mandir Contact: Sharad (856) BHAJANS & STUTI: Every Friday, 7:30-9 p.m. Contact: Shree Shuklaji or Shri Sudhirji (856) Regular Programs for Children and Youth BAL VIHAR: For children (ages 4-13), to promote a positive Hindu identity within the diverse U.S. culture. 2nd & 4th 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Contact: Ramesh Viswanathan (856) , Bhavesh Patel my-mandir ext 3, Rina Patel (856) for registration and location YOUTH PROGRAM: A program for young adults (ages 13-18) and parents. 2nd & 4th Sunday, 9:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. at our Mandir. Contact: Praveen Garg (856) or Sangeeta Rashatwar at (856) CREATIVE ART WORKSHOP 1st, 3rd & 5th 9:30 a.m. at our Mandir Contact: Narendra Amin (856) PUJA SERVICE CHARGES, TEMPLE FACILITIES USAGE FEE AND OTHER CHARGES: The following provides list of applicable charges and fees. Shri Shuklaji /Shri Sudhirji will be available for religious services on request. Please check temple availability at Click on CALENDAR tab and, from drop-down menu, Click on EVENT/RENTAL CALENDAR. Please contact Smt. Charu Sheth or Shri. Harish Shelat at MY-MANDIR Ext 1 for the booking of the Temple Facilities and/ or scheduling of Puja Services by Shuklaji or Sudhirji. INSIDE OUTSIDE Following listed fees and charges are in addition to the PUJA SERVICE TEMPLE TEMPLE charges listed for Puja Services -- Archana (Panchopachar) $11 N/A Vahan (Vehicle) Puja $21 N/A Namakaran/Annaprashan $51 $101 Birthday $51 $101 TEMPLE FACILITIES USAGE FEE Shraddha $51 $101 Prayer Hall: $200 Anniversary Celebration $101 $151 Social Hall: $300 Seemant $101 $151 Kesh Mundan Puja $101 $151 Sodashopchar, Kalash Puja, Punyah-Vachan or Blessings $101 $151 OTHER CHARGES Satyanarayan Puja $121 $151 Engagement Ceremony $101 $201 MILEAGE AND TRAVEL TIME TIER Havan/Grah Shanti $201 $251 Vastu Puja - outside service only N/A $251 $0 for 1-25 mile radius Sunderkand Path $151 Wedding Grah Shanti $201 $301 $51 for mile radius Wedding Ceremony per day $301 $351 $101 for mile radius Upanayan/Yagnopavita $251 $301 Antim Rites (Funeral Service) Voluntary Donation $151 for mile radius Uttar Kriya per day - outside service only N/A $101 NON-MEMBER Yagna/Laghu Rudra - outside service only N/A $351 Navchandi Yagna - outside service only N/A $651 $51 for non-member surcharge NOTE: Charges and availability of other Puja Services not listed above may be discussed with Smt. Charu Sheth at MY-MANDIR Ext 1 DIRECTION TO BERLIN TEMPLE A. From Tacony Bridge: Take NJ route 73S; drive for about miles and follow signs for East Taunton Avenue. Temple is on your right B. From Ben Franklin Bridge: Take route 30E to NJ route 70E to NJ route 73S, drive for about 7 miles and follow signs for East Taunton Avenue. Temple is on your right C. From Walt Whitman Bridge or Delaware Memorial Bridge: Take I-295N to Exit 29-A for route 30E to Berlin Twp. Turn left on East Taunton Avenue D. From Central and North Jersey: Take NJ Turnpike South. Exit 4 for route 73S. Drive for about miles and follow signs for East Taunton Avenue on your right

8 India Temple Association, Inc. 25 E. Taunton, Berlin, NJ EDITOR: Brinda Raghuveer 15 Hollybrook Way Voorhees, NJ President Sangeeta Rashatwar my-mandir x 710 president@indiatemple.org Vice President Anuradha Joshi my-mandir x 711 vp@indiatemple.org General Secretary Lalit Patel my-mandir x 712 gs@indiatemple.org Treasurer Shobna Daga my-mandir x 713 treasurer@indiatemple.org Religious Services Facility Rental Temple Manager Charu Sheth Harish Shelat my-mandir x 1 manager@indiatemple.org Darshan Schedule Morning 7:30 am - 12:30 pm Evening 3 pm. - 9 pm Aarti 12 pm & 8 pm Times may change during special occasions Please use the front door and ring the bell if locked PLEASE REVIEW YOUR ADDRESS LABEL AND RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP BASED ON EXPIRATION DATE OR SUPPORT ITA WITH YOUR ENROLLMENT IF YOU ARE NOT IDENTIFIED AS A MEMBER Please check appropriate items from the following, and mail it to Hindu Temple, 25 East Taunton Ave., Berlin, NJ Attn: Mr. M. Kanzaria [ ] I/We would like to join India Temple Association and I/We are remitting the membership dues (please select one) Individual or Family one year ($51) Individual or Family five year ($151) Life ($1,001) [ ] I/ We are seniors, age 65 and above and would like to join India Temple Association. I am/we are remitting the membership dues (please select one) Individual or Family Five year ($25) Life ($101) [ ] I am adding additional donations: Scholarship Fund Lifetime Seva ($301) Temple Renovations Seva Samiti Fund Bal Vihar Fund Youth Fund [ ] I am relocating to the following address Last Name: First Name: Address: Telephone: