EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BOARD OF TRUSTEES VOLUNTEER GURUS

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1 Hindu Temple of Rochester 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY Telephone: (585) Apr, May, Jun 2016 Newsletter #2 EXECUTIVE COUNCIL President Om P. Gupta Vice President Satya Agarwal Secretary Ramana Adibhatla Treasurer Chetna Chandrakala Cultural Secretary Madhavi Devarakonda Communications Secretary Aruna Bhargava Educational Secretary Raje Sathasivan Facilities Secretary Vinod Bajaj Past President Sanjay Mathur Priest L.V. Govind President s Column! Hari OM! I am writing to you to give you all an update on the progress being made at our temple during the first quarter of Our EC team, BoTs, Pujariji and volunteers have put in long hours fulfilling the needs of the temple and facilitation of services being provided by our temple. I had previously presented to you the focus and objectives, we plan to pursue during Here is an update on the objectives being pursued: We thank all who took the time to fill out the Survey and provided us your feedback. The survey results reveal devotees overall satisfaction with the temple pujas and services being provided. EC will take improvement actions in the areas which can be further improved. The results of the survey are published in the newsletter. We plan to continue to conduct this survey on an annual basis. The year 2016 began with the new year celebration, followed by Hanuman Jayanthi, record setting Akhand Ramayan paath, Vasant Panchami, Gayatri Havan, Maha Shivarathri, Shiv Parvati Kalyan Utsav, Holi celebrations and Pangani Uttaram celebrations to name a few. Thanks to the temple s devotees, the 20 th year Akhand Ramayan anniversary paath was a huge success with more than 151 sponsors. Additionally, the temple has extended its support to the ICC to host the spring 2016 concerts in March During the 1st quarter, progress has been made towards finalization of policies & procedures, abuse prevention policy, electronic office, preventive facility maintenance; operational details of conduction of pujas, and successful annual temple sponsored host family organized events encourage us to have more of such annual events. Library is well on its way getting set up and will be operational soon and we will be launching a humanitarian group to help those who may be in illhealth or grieving families whose loved one may have passed away. The details to follow. We thank all our teachers and volunteers who keep doing amazing hard work for the temple. Let us welcome Ravi Rasu who has agreed to be a volunteer coordinator and will work closely with Madhaviji, our cultural Secretary in mobilizing volunteer support for the temple. In recognition of their efforts, we ask you to mark May 21st the volunteer day where we will recognize teachers and volunteers can sign-up for volunteer opportunities during Shikhar installation scheduled for August Temple was represented at Nazareth Interfaith conference by volunteers Radhika Ramesh, Aruna Bhargava and Manika Mohan. Your support and participation for the yoga class on Tuesday evenings and annual health walk as part of our health initiatives is appreciated. Temple will celebrate world yoga day on June 21st and health walk is scheduled for May 15th. Please mark your calendar. As you are aware, Henrietta town approved temple s application for the Shikhar proposal. The year 2016 will be one of the milestone year in history of our temple. Plan on a huge event from August with 3 days of Pujas/havans and celebration. Watch transformation as we add Shikhars and finish exterior ornamentation of our temple. The Shikhars are under construction and we have made $44k of payments so far. As part of Phase IV, we are also planning to finish kitchen and do some facility improvements. Financial support so far has been encouraging but needs your support to make payments as they come due. Your participation and volunteer support is also critical. Website now has a Shikhar link where devotees can keep checking for updates and contribute on line. Thanks to you, in the year 2015, temple did well financially. The temple became debt free, total income was over $265K, with expenses of about $175k and a net income of about $90k. So far this year we had a good start financially. The income received and our expenses are being closely monitored and controlled. The 2015 tax letters with contributions above $200 were mailed out to its devotees. The financial audit will be conducted in April-May time frame. All of this is possible with devotees commitment and support to our temple which we know we can count on going forward. I feel blessed as your President to be supported by an extremely qualified and dedicated EC team, Board of Trustees, devoted volunteers, host family organizers and our Pujariji. We should be all proud of our broad family linked together with just one common goal of making Hindu temple of Rochester the best it can be. Thank you, O.P.Gupta President, 2016 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Surendar Johar Anil Sawhney (C) Bal Narang Nagin Shah Don Shetty VOLUNTEER GURUS Sunetra Deore Aruna Bhargava Radhika Ramesh Kusuma Vulapalli Manika Mohan Meera Sampath Nidhi Singh Madhavi Dixit Anita Kumar Kusum Shah Mukta Mande Kiran Verma Sarada Mahalingam Rakesh Roshan Lakshmi Rao Virendra Gupta Rajesh Mehrotra Manoj Rajgarhia Jaimala Thanik Rajashree Bhagwat Suma Potini Sandhya Nambiar Arti Talwar Alka Phatak Jyothi Bhagavatula Raje Sathasivan Meenakshi Bansal Priyanka Singh Sandhya Sarlashkar Sangeetha Ramkumar Manisha Srivastava Sastry Bhagavatula

2 Temple needs your SUPPORT! By becoming a member or renewing your membership. By taking an active part in the administrative team or Temple committees. By attending and participating in the functions/events. By taking advantage of Temple services -- Special pujas, Language, Balvihar and Dance classes. By volunteering to teach classes (Temple s Volunteer Gurus ). By volunteering and signing-up for regular help. By volunteering and signing-up to help during special pujas. By extending your strong, consistent financial support. Your Temple needs to be financially strong to serve you. SINCERE REQUEST FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Please be considerate arrive on time for Pujas and finish your prayers within the Temple hour maintain silence while you are in the prayer hall don t let the children run around put your shoes on the racks don t eat in the prayer hall clean up after you treat Temple property with care Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Temple Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 11:30AM & 6:00PM - 8:30PM Sat & Sun 9:00AM -12:00 Noon & 4:30PM - 8:30PM Wednesday Temple Closed, except on Special Occasions. COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS: HTOR EC BoT LRPC AGBM Hindu Temple of Rochester Executive Council Board Of Trustees Long Range Planning Committee Annual General Body Meeting The dates and times of the events are subject to change. For more information, please visit the Hindu Temple of Rochester Web site at :

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4 Purushartha Hinduism developed a doctrine that life has different goals according to a person's stage of life and position. These goals became codified in the 'goals of a person' or 'human goals', the purusharthas, especially in sacred texts about dharma called 'dharma shastras' of which the 'Laws of Manu' is the most famous. In these texts three goals of life are expressed, namely virtuous living or dharma, profit or worldly success, and pleasure, especially sexual pleasure as a married householder and more broadly aesthetic pleasure. A fourth goal of liberation (moksha) was added at a later date. The purusharthas express an understanding of human nature, that people have different desires and purposes which are all legitimate in their context. Over the centuries there has been discussion about which goal was most important. Towards the end of the Mahabharata (Shantiparvan ) there is a discussion about the relative importance of the three goals of dharma, profit and pleasure between the Pandava brothers and the wise sage Vidura. Vidura claims that dharma is most important because through it the sages enter the absolute reality, on dharma the universe rests, and through dharma wealth is acquired. One of the brothers, Arjuna, disagrees, claiming that dharma and pleasure rest on profit. Another brother, Bhima, argues for pleasure or desire being the most important goal, as only through desire have the sages attained liberation. This discussion recognises the complexity and varied nature of human purposes and meanings in life. Source:

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7 Hindu Temple of Rochester Calendar of Festivals and Events 2016 Phone: (585) January (Temple Closed 6, 20 & 28) Jan 1 New Year s Day Puja, Ganesh Abhishekam Jan 2 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Jan 7 Pradosham 6:30PM Jan 8 Hanumath Jayanthi 6:00PM Jan 9 Sunderkand Jan 13 Lohri, Bhogi Jan 14 Uttarayana Punyakala begins; Pongal, Makara 6:30PM Sankranti, Radha Krishna Abhishekam Jan 15 Kanuma, Andal Kalyanam 6:30PM Jan 17 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Jan 19 Sri Vishnu Utsava Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Jan 21 Pradosham 6:30PM Jan 22 Sri Durga Abhishekam 6:30PM Jan 23 Jan 24 Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja Akhanda Ramayan Paath starts Akhanda Ramayan Paath ends Thai Poosam Celebrations, Murugan Abhishekam 7AM 8:30AM 11AM 5:30 PM Jan 27 SankatHhara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30 PM February (Temple Closed 3, 10, 17 & 24) Feb 5 Pradosham 6:30PM Feb 6 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Feb 11 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Feb 12 Vasantha Panchami, Saraswati Puja 6:30PM Feb 13 Sunderkand Feb 14 Ratha Saptami, Vishnu Murthi Parikrama Feb 18 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Feb 19 Pradosham 6:30PM Feb 21 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Poornima Satyanarayan puja 5:30PM Feb 26 SankataHara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM Feb 27 Sri Durga Abhishekam Feb 28 4 th Sunday Puja March (Temple Closed 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) Mar 5 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Mar 6 Gayatri Havan Pradosham 5:30PM Mar 7 Maha Shivaratri, Shiva Chalisa (108x) 5:30AM Rudram (11x) All night Mar 10 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Mar 12 Sunderkand Shri Shiva Kalyana Utsavam 6PM Mar 13 Kardayan Nombu Mar 17 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Mar 18 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Mar 20 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Pradosham 5:30PM Mar 22 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja Panguni Uttaram, Holika Dahan 6:30PM 7:00PM Mar 26 Holi Celebrations Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 11:00AM 6:30PM Mar 27 4 th Sunday Puja - Murugan Kalyanostavam April (Temple Closed 6, 20 & 27) Apr 2 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Apr 3 Pradosham 6:30PM Apr 7 Durmukhi Nama Chandramana Ugadi Vasantha Navarathri Begins Apr 9 Sunderkand Apr 12 Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Apr 13 Durmukhi Nama Souramana Yugadi, 6:00PM Vishu, Chittirai Baisakhi Durga Astami, Kanya Puja Apr 14 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Apr 15 Sri Rama Navami, Vasanta Navarathri ends Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam Apr 16 Sri Sita Rama Kalyanostava 6PM Apr 17 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sri Vishnu Utsava Murthi Abhishekam 5:30PM Apr 19 Pradosham 6:30PM Apr 21 Hanuman Jayanthi Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja, 6:00PM 6:30PM Apr 23 Sri Durga Abhishekam Apr 24 4 th Sunday Puja Apr 25 Sankatahara Chathurthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM May (Temple Closed 5, 11 & 19) May 4 Pradosham 6:30PM May 7 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam May 10 Sri Rama Parivar Utsava Abhishekham 6:30PM May 12 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM May 14 Sunderkand Balvihar Annual Day 4PM May 15 Sri Murugan Abhishekam HTOR Annual Health Walk May 16 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM May 18 Pradosham 6:30PM May 20 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM May 21 Volunteer Day May 22 4 th Sunday Puja, Hindi Class Annual Day May 25 Sankatahara Chathurthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM May 28 Sri Durga Abhishekam June (Temple Closed 1, 8, 16, 22 & 29) Jun 2 Pradosham 6:30PM Jun 4 Venkateshwara Abhishekam Jun 7 Sri Ram Parivara Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Jun 9 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Jun 11 Sunderkand Jun 15 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Jun 17 Pradosham 6:30PM Jun 19 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Kuchipudi/Mridangam Annual Day Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja 5:30PM Jun 21 World Yoga Day 6:30PM Jun 23 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM Jun 25 Sri Durga Abhishekam Jun 26 4 th Sunday Puja

8 July (Temple Closed 6, 13, 20, & 27) Jul 1 Pradosham 6:30PM Jul 2 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Jul 4 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Jul 9 Sunderkand Jul 14 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Jul 15 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Dakshinayana Punya kala begins Jul 17 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Pradosham 5:30PM Jul 18 Guru Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 7PM Jul 23 Sri Durga Abhishekam Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6PM Jul 27 4 th Sunday Puja Jul 28 Adi Krittika Murugan Abhishekam 6:30PM Jul 31 Pradosham 5:30PM * - Samuhik Special Satyanarayana Pooja August (Temple Closed 3, 10, 25 & 31) Aug 1 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam Aug 5 Adi Pooram, Murugan, Andal/Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Aug 6 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Aug 11 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Aug 12 Sri Vara Mahalakshmi Vratam 6:30PM Aug13 Sunderkand Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:00PM Aug 15 Pradosham 6:30PM Aug 17 Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja, 6:30PM Raksha Bandhana, Yajur Upakarma, Rig Upakarma Aug 18 Gayathri Japam/Havan Aug 21 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sankatahara Chathurthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 5:30PM Aug 24 Sri Krishna Janmastami 6:30PM Aug 27 Sri Durga Abhishekam Aug 28 4 th Sunday Puja Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 5:30PM Aug 29 Pradosham 6:30PM September (Temple Closed 7, 21 & 28) Sep 3 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Sep 4 Swarna Gowri Vratam, Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, Ganesha 5:00PM Abhishekam, Ganesha Vrat Puja Sep 8 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Sep 10 Sunderkand Sep 11 Sri Ganesha Visarjan Sep 12 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Sep 14 Pradosham 6:30PM Sep 15 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Sep 17 Mahalaya Paksha begins Sep 18 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sep 19 Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM Sep 24 Sri Durga Abhishekam Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6PM Sep 25 4 th Sunday Puja Sep 27 Pradosham 6:30PM Sep 30 Mahalaya Paksha ends Hindu Temple of Rochester Calendar of Festivals and Events 2016 Phone: (585) October (Temple Closed 12, 19 & 26) Oct 1 Venkateshwara Abhishekam Devi Navarathri Begins Oct 7 Garba 8PM Oct 8 Sunderkand Mata Ki Chowki 4:30PM Oct 9 Durga Astami, Kanya Puja Oct 10 Maha Navami Oct 11 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Vijaya Dasami, Ravan Dahan 5:00PM 7PM Devi Navarathri ends Oct 13 Radha Krishna Abhishekam Pradosham 6:30PM Oct 15 Poornima; Satyanarayan Puja 6PM Oct 16 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Oct 18 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesha Abhishekam; Karva Chauth 6:30PM 7PM Oct 21 Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Oct 22 Durga Abhishekam Oct 23 4 th Sunday Puja Oct 27 Dhanteras, Pradosham 6:30PM Oct 28 Naraka Chatusdasi Oct 29 Deepavali/Deepavali Celebrations 5:30PM November (Temple Closed 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) Nov 1 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Skanda Shashti 6PM Nov 10 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Radha Krishna Abhishekam 10 AM 6:30 PM Nov 12 Sunderkand Pradosham 6PM Nov 13 Karthika Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja 5:30PM Nov 17 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM Nov 18 Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam Nov 19 HTOR Annual Banquet 6PM Nov 20 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Annual General Body Meeting 1PM Nov 25 Tulsi Vivah 6:30PM Nov 26 Sri Durga Abhishekam Pradosham 6PM Nov 22 4 th Sunday Puja December (Temple Closed 7, 14, 21 & 29) Dec 3 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Dec 8 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Dec 9 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Dec 10 Sunderkand Dec 11 Pradosham 5:30PM Dec 12 Karthika Deepam Dec 13 Poornima; Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Dec 15 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6PM Dec 16 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM Dec 18 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Dec 24 Sri Durga Abhishekam Dec 25 4 th Sunday Puja Dec 26 Pradosham 6:30PM Dec 28 Hanumath Jayanthi 6:00PM

9 (Max score of 5.0), scores listed are avg. scores 60% Members / 40% Non-Members Overall satisfied as a member of HTOR and plan to continue to contribute 4.5 HTOR Listens to members concerns and responds in timely manner 4.4 I am Happy with the religious Pujas and functions 4.8 I feel like I am a part of a team helping to fulfill the mission 4.2 HTOR cares about its members and meets their religious and spiritual needs 4.6 I have a good understanding of the mission and vision of HTOR and believe it drives Temples decisions I receive information about planned projects/decisions and have observed orderly policies being followed I understand the process of becoming an HTOR member 4.3 As a volunteer I am satisfied with how my skills are utilized and I plan to continue to volunteer and encourage others 4.2 HTOR meets the needs of young members 4.4 HTOR listens to members concerns and responds in a timely manner 4.5 A few comments for further review from the Survey are: Very positive experience, I like how everyone works together to make an event happen. I wish there were more notifications or boards to inform the devotees of upcoming events or Temple updates. When joining the Puja in the middle, it may be a good idea to could have same thing on the board explaining the Puja. Temple should stop stating sponsorship amounts and let devotees decide what they want to pay. The Priest does an excellent job and we are lucky to have him as our Poojariji. HTOR needs to be proactive in reaching larger community in Rochester similar to what Churches do. The best investment HTOR made was to get dedicated Poojariji and He has enhanced the purpose and image of HTOR tremendously. The committees should be congratulated for their work. The EC appreciates the feedback from its devotees and will follow-up / take actions in the areas which can be improved. Treasurer Updates: Thank you for your kind donations in the year The Hindu Temple of Rochester has mailed letters to you for tax purposes (cut off amount $200). If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact Chetna Chandrakala, Treasurer at htor.treasurer@hotmail.com or call Please support the temple s efforts in being eco-friendly by choosing paperless delivery of the newsletter. You can let us know your choice on the membership form or send an to communication@hindutempleofrochester.com

10 Dear Temple Devotee: As you know, the Temple has embarked on the task of installing the shikhars to complete the Temple structure. The Shikhar Project Committee is delighted and excited to bring you the following update on the progress so far in the Shikhar Project. The shop drawings for the East shikhars and South Viman have been approved and sent over to the fabricators so that they could start the fabrication process. The main shikhar shop drawings are also approved pending a clarification. We are working with the structural engineers for their analysis and recommendations on constructing the platform for the main shikhar. Once we have that information, we could go for the approval of the Town for the building permit. Simultaneously, we are also contacting companies to supply the Kalash for the shikhars as well as designs for the window and door decorations. We have already sent two installments of our total payment to the sum of about $44,000. The next payment will be due in April. Fundraising has started off well. Following the lead and generosity of one of our Pradhan sponsors, several families have come forward with substantial contributions. We are delighted to inform you that so far we have four families who have sponsored at the Pradhan Sponsor level of $25,000. We hope to continue this pace and perhaps accelerate it with your help. Please complete the donation form and send it in with your generous donation to join in this unique effort. Help us have enough reserves to make future payments and to finish the project comfortably. By God's Grace, we are still on schedule to have the shikhars delivered by early July, have them installed by end of July and do the consecration pujas from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28. You will soon be getting information about the puja and havan details of the celebration and the activities leading up to the big event. Your active participation and involvement will make this a grand success. We invite you to attend, participate, contribute and volunteer in this exciting project that marks another important milestone in our Temple's history. As in the past, you are blessed to have a hand in the successful completion of this event also. We are sure that the Temple can count on you. For more information, to contribute to the cause and to volunteer, please contact any one on the Shikhar Committee (Anil Sawhney, Sanjay Mathur, S. Kumar or our Pujariji). Please visit the Shikhar Project Page at the Temple website for the latest information, to volunteer and to contribute. Save the Dates: Aug , 2016 Yes, I am excited at the opportunity to join in completing our Temple Shikhar and want to be a part of this rare, auspicious occasion. Here is my contribution to ensure the successful completion of this blessed event. Major Sponsor ($25,000 and above) Benefactor Patron Sponsor General Donation ($5,000 and up) ($2,500 and up) ($1,000 and up) Every donation of $1000 or above will be acknowledged with a "brick" on the Temple's Wall of Appreciation. I am interested in volunteering: Please contact me at: (Phone) ; ( ) Name: (Last), (First) Address: City: State: Zip:

11 Hindu Temple of Rochester Membership Form (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016) FAMILY: $50.00 STUDENT: $25.00 SINGLE: $35.00 SENIOR CITIZEN FAMILY ( 62 yrs.): $35.00 LIFE MEMBERSHIP: $ (Can be paid in 4 installments. Contact President / Treasurer for more information) Make check payable to: Hindu Temple of Rochester (mail to: P.O.BOX Rochester, NY ) (Please write "Membership 2016" in the memo area on the check) Please PRINT all the information to keep our records updated. Thank you! Last Name: First Name: Street Apt.# City State Zip Phone#: Spouse s Name: Check this box if address has changed Check this box for other information change Payment method CREDIT CARD CHECK address (Please PRINT clearly): Please support the temple in its environment friendly consciousness goal by choosing the option of paperless delivery of the newsletter. The newsletter is also available for download from the temple website. I am interested in volunteering at the temple Please send me the newsletter by ONLY Please send me the newsletter by U.S. Mail ONLY Complete membership form and include the form with your check Dharma Dharma is an important term in Indian religions. In Hinduism it means 'duty', 'virtue', 'morality', even 'religion' and it refers to the power which upholds the universe and society. Hindus generally believe that dharma was revealed in the Vedas although a more common word there for 'universal law' or 'righteousness' is rita. Dharma is the power that maintains society, it makes the grass grow, the sun shine, and makes us moral people or rather gives humans the opportunity to act virtuously. But acting virtuously does not mean precisely the same for everyone; different people have different obligations and duties according to their age, gender, and social position. Dharma is universal but it is also particular and operates within concrete circumstances. Each person therefore has their own dharma known as sva-dharma. What is correct for a woman might not be for a man or what is correct for an adult might not be for a child. The importance of sva-dharma is illustrated well by the Bhagavad Gita. This text, set before the great battle of the Mahabharata, depicts the hero Arjuna riding in his chariot driven by his charioteer Krishna between the great armies. The warrior Arjuna questions Krishna about why he should fight in the battle. Surely, he asks, killing one's relatives and teachers is wrong and so he refuses to fight. Krishna assures him that this particular battle is righteous and he must fight as his duty or dharma as a warrior. Arjuna's sva-dharma was to fight in the battle because he was a warrior, but he must fight with detachment from the results of his actions and within the rules of the warriors' dharma. Indeed, not to act according to one's own dharma is wrong and called adharma Correct action in accordance with dharma is also understood as service to humanity and to God. The idea of what has become known as sanatana dharma can be traced back to the puranas - texts of antiquity. Those who adhere to this idea of one's eternal dharma or constitution, claim that it transcends other mundane dharmas - that it is the para dharma, the ultimate dharma of the self. It is often associated with bhakti movements, who link an attitude of eternal service to a personal deity. Source:

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13 Significance of doing the Pradakshina: It is not only about the physical fitness. It is also good for the spirituality. We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our lives. We acknowledge this by performing Pradakshina. Recognizing HIM as the focal point in our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance of Pradakshina Source: ABHISHEKAM SCHEDULE (Suggested Sponsorship $31) Sri Ganesha Every Monday & 10:00am Sankata Hara Chaturthi 6:00/6:30pm Sri Venkateshwara & Sri Padmavathi 1 st Sat 10:00 am Sri Ram Parivar & Sunderkand Puja 2 nd Saturday 10:00 am Lord Murugan Sri Valli & Devayani 3 rd Sunday 10:00 am Maa Durga 4 th Saturday 10:00 am * 4 TH Sunday Puja 4 th Sunday 10:00 am Sri Hanuman & Sri Kartikeya Every Tuesday 10:00 am Sri Shiva & Sri Parvati Every Monday & 10:00am Every Pradosham 6:00/6:30 pm Sri Radha Krishna 2 nd Thursday 6:30 PM * Sri Vishnu Murthi Every Shukla Ekadasi 6:30 PM * Sri Rama Parivar Every Punarvasu Star 6:30 PM * * Time changes posted in the calendar/schedule For sponsorship of the above events : Please contact our cultural secretary Madhavi or culturalsecretary@hindutempleofrochester.com

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15 Ayurveda & Food You are what you eat is a saying that you have probably heard before. It holds true not only on the physical but also on the psychological level. Ayurveda recognizes six tastes and it's quite important to have all of these 6 tastes in your diet every day. The six tastes are: Sweet sugar, honey, rice, pasta, milk, etc. Sour lemons, hard cheese, yogurt, vinegar, etc. Salty salt, any salty food Pungent chili peppers, cayenne, ginger, any hot spice Bitter leafy greens, turmeric, lettuce, etc. Astringent pomegranate, beans, lentils, etc. These six tastes are listed in the order they are digested in your body. Sweet gets digested first, that's why it's not a good idea to have a dessert at the end of the meal, which is typical in our culture, but rather at the beginning (how is that for an Ayurvedic diet tip!). Salad, on the other hand, is perfect at the end of the meal. Ayurveda Diet has a very holistic-medicine- of view on diet. Source: point

16 Hindu Temple of Rochester, Inc. Mailing Address: P.O. Box Rochester NY Phone: (585) Newsletter: April June 2016 Non Profit Organization US Postage Paid Rochester, NY Permit NO. 372 Mark your calendars for!! Durmukhi Nama Chandramana Yugadi, Vasanta Navaratri Begins Durmukhi Nama Souramana Yugadi, Durga Astami, Kanya Puja Shree Rama Navami, Vasanta Navaratri Ends April 7, 2016 April 13, 2016 April 15, 2016 Shree Sita Rama Kalyanostava April 16, 2016 Hanuman Jayanthi April 21, 2016 Balvihar Annual Day May 14, 2016 HTOR Annual Health Walk May 15, 2016 Apply/Renew Hindu Temple Annual Membership for 2016 Bal Vihar Hindi Class Tamil Class Weekly Learning Activities Mridangam Class Dance Class Yoga Class Sundays 9:30AM Sundays 10:45AM Sundays 2:30PM Sundays 9:30AM Sundays 3:00PM Tuesdays 6:30PM Volunteer Day May 21, 2016 Hindi Class Annual Day May 22, 2016 Kuchipudi/Mridangam Class Annual Day June 19, 2016 World Yoga Day June 21, 2016