Hindu Temple of Rochester 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY 14534-1008

http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com

Telephone: (585) 427- 8091

Jul, Aug, Sep 2016 Newsletter #3

EXECUTIVE

COUNCIL President Om P. Gupta 585-385-1020

Vice President Satya Agarwal 585-381-5746

Secretary Ramana Adibhatla 585-329-3698

Treasurer Chetna Chandrakala 773- 704-8817

Cultural Secretary Madhavi Devarakonda 585-242-9447

Communications Secretary Aruna Bhargava 585-586-2146

Educational Secretary Raje Sathasivan 585-802-0119

Facilities Secretary Vinod Bajaj 585-442-2525

Past President Sanjay Mathur 585-666-0608

Priest L.V. Govind 585-427-8091

President’s Column! Hari OM! On behalf of the Executive council, I am pleased to provide to all of you a progress report during the 2nd quarter of 2016. Here is a summary update:

As we are well aware, the installation and consecration of the shikhars (which are completed and expected to arrive in NY on July 15) during the weekend of October 21st – October 23rd 2016 is the main focus of EC, BoTs and the Shikhar committee via special Pujas and Havans to all Murthis personified in the holy water of the Kalash completed on June 9 th with Baalaalyam puja and concluding with the Abhishekam on August 28th in which the holy water in the puja Kalashas is poured over the Deities and on top of the Shikhar to mark the restoration of the energies and consecration of the shikhars. This is a significant undertaking for our Temple and to make it successful, your active participation is crucial – participation by way of attending, enjoying, and benefitting from the daily programs, volunteering in various activities, sponsoring Havans and pujas and providing much needed financial support. As you visit temple, you will witness the transformation of our temple during this historic timeline. EC and Pujariji also have the dual task to complete day-to- day duties of the temple during the Shikhar project implementation. EC with help from Dr Kumar, the Shikhar project leader, have identified major work categories and developed a project timeline with identification of volunteer support needed. You can visit our website hindutempleofRochester.com to get on-going status and commit your financial and human resources. If you would like to volunteer please contact Ravi for general Shikhar volunteer help at Ravi.Rasu@gmail.com or Madhavi at dvmadhavi@hotmail.com to help in religious related Shikhar volunteer work. We thank the Shikhar committee under the leadership of Surendar Johar, Kumarji, Subhash Kohli and Vinod Bajaj with support from BoT Chair and President for their diligent and hard work. Now the project implementation is handed over to the EC under guidance from Kumarji and Surendar Johar. With support from the President, Sanjay Mathur and Madhavi have been assigned lead roles with each EC member and community members assuming important sub-lead roles.

During the 2nd quarter of 2016, EC under leadership of our cultural Secretary, Madhaviji, temple completed many important puja; Chandramana Yugadi, Vasantha Navrathri Maa Durga Puja, Souramana Yugadi, Vasantha Navrathri Kanya puja, Shri Ram Navami and Shri Sita Rama Kalyanostava, and Baalaalyam Puja which were well attended. We ask all of you to continue to help with your appropriate Hundi Dakshna as part of your duty when you visit temple to cover the cost of operations, food, paper supplies, cleaning support and supplies etc. Additionally, we had very successful Annual Healthwalk, Volunteer appreciation day and World Yoga Day. These initiatives have found foundation as annual events.

Our 36 temple teacher volunteers continue to do amazing work in running Sunday classes. The classes have grown and their time commitment to fulfill temple’s educational role is commendable. They just had their annual days

where students did amazing performances and temple and community saluted them for their Nobel service.

Also please join me to thank Ramana Adibhatla, Shashi Bhargava and Kumarji who have ably erformed the required pujas and other volunteers for covering during Pujariji absence whenever called upon.

During the 2nd quarter, we continue to polish our work on policies, procedures, abuse prevention policy implementation, electronic office, preventive facility maintenance; and operational procedures for consistency.

Thanks to Raje, our education Secretary, and her volunteers, more work in Library is completed and projected operational date is around Mid-October. Additionally, a support group has been launched to help those who may be in ill-health or grieving families whose loved one may have passed away. See information in the newsletter.

Your support and participation in the Temple’s yoga initiative is appreciated. Beginning in July,we are introducing a new yoga teacher Amita Bhagat. Classes will move from Tuesdays to Mondays from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM. The first July class will start on July 11th. So let us get healthy by your participation. See more information in this newsletter.

Under the leadership of Chetna and Sanjay, Temple and ICC jointly held a successful Ayurveda session on May 29. We look forward to more of such joint forums for community benefit.

Continued….

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Surendar Johar Lakshmi Rao Anil Sawhney (C) Virendra Gupta Bal Narang Rajesh Mehrotra Nagin Shah Manoj Rajgarhia Don Shetty Jaimala Thanik

VOLUNTEER GURUS

Sunetra Deore Rajashree Bhagwat

Aruna Bhargava Suma Potini Radhika Ramesh Sandhya Nambiar Kusuma Vulapalli Arti Talwar Manika Mohan Alka Phatak Sujatha Rajan Jyothi Bhagavatula Nidhi Singh

Raje Sathasivan Madhavi Dixit Meenakshi Bansal Anita Kumar Priyanka Singh Kusum Shah Sandhya Sarlashkar Mukta Mande Sangeetha Ramkumar Kiran Verma Manisha Srivastava Sarada Mahalingam Rakesh Roshan Sastry Bhagavatula

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.

The dates and times of the events are subject to change. For more information, please visit the Hindu Temple of Rochester Web site at: www.hindutempleofrochester.com

COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS: HTOR Hindu Temple of Rochester EC Executive Council BoT Board Of Trustees LRPC Long Range Planning Committee AGBM Annual General Body Meeting

For sponsorship of the events : Please contact our cultural secretary Madhavi Devarakonda @ 585-242-9447 or email: culturalsecretary@hindutempleofrochester.com

President’s column …. Continued: With much thanks to the patrons and donors, Temple is doing operationally and financial well. This is only possible through the support of your donations, pujas, and

money received in the Hundies. Shikhar/Phase IV project collections to date are at $235K, our budget is over $600K. Over $100K has been paid for Shikhar fabrication to date. Even though much has been accomplished by our EC, Mr. Anil Sawhney and his team, they need more of your support in donations and volunteer time to accomplish our Shikhar objective and also considering the Kitchen and other improvements which are part of Phase IV. Our expenses are being closely monitored and controlled. The financial audit will be conducted soon. The website now has a link where devotees can make donations and pay by credit card.

Continued communications on Shikhar, Phase IV, thriving activity at the temple, and keeping you abreast of community affairs is a daunting challenge but under the leadership of our communication Secretary Aruna Bhargava and Kumarji, we are in good hands. In trying to keep everyone updated, you may receive communications more frequently.

Please continue to support our Facility Secretary Vinod ji by following the posted signs and instructions, helping in set ups, clean ups and be conscious of cost, waste disposal and energy use.

During the next quarter, please visit the temple for many pujas which include Guru Purnima, Janmashtami, Shikhar consecration & installation pujas, and Ganesh Chaturthi to name a few.

So I ask you join the EC, BoTs with excitement as we together embark on a milestone event in our temple history. This transformation of the temple resulting in our preferred place for worship and education enlightenment is our gift to our children and the future generations for their heritage and long term belonging to our culture. I feel blessed as your President to be supported by an extremely qualified, mature and dedicated EC team, Board of Trustees, devoted volunteers, host family organizers and our Pujariji. Our team and volunteers continue to put in long hours to fulfill the needs of the temple and our devotees by providing services to their satisfaction and expectations. We should continue to 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

Hindu Temple of Rochester Calendar of Festivals and Events – 2016

Phone: (585) 427-8091

http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com

July (Temple Closed 6, 13, 20, & 27)

Jul 1 Pradosham 6:30PM

Jul 2 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM

Jul 4 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM

Jul 9 Sunderkand 10AM

Jul 14 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM

Jul 15 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Dakshinayana Punya kala begins

6:30PM

Jul 17 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Pradosham

10AM 5:30PM

Jul 18 Guru Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 7PM

Jul 23 Sri Durga Abhishekam Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam

10AM 6PM

Jul 27 4th Sunday Puja 10AM

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 10AM

Aug 5 Adi Pooram, Murugan, Andal/Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM Aug 6 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM

Aug 11 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM

Aug 12 Sri Vara Mahalakshmi Vratam 6:30PM

Aug13 Sunderkand Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam

10AM 6:00PM

Aug 15 Pradosham 6:30PM

Aug 17 Poornima, Satyanarayana Puja, Raksha Bandhana, Yajur Upakarma, Rig Upakarma

6:30PM

Aug 18 Gayathri Japam/Havan 10AM

Aug 21 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sankatahara Chathurthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam

10AM 5:30PM

Aug 24 Sri Krishna Janmastami 6:30PM

Aug 27 Sri Durga Abhishekam 10AM

Aug 28 4th Sunday Puja Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam

10AM 5:30PM

Aug 29 Pradosham 6:30PM

September (Temple Closed 7, 21 & 28)

Sep 3 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM

Sep 4 Swarna Gowri Vratam, Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, Ganesha Abhishekam, Ganesha Vrat Puja

5:00PM

Sep 8 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM

Sep 10 Sunderkand 10AM

Sep 11 Sri Ganesha Visarjan 10AM

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 10AM

Sep 19 Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh Abhishekam 6:30PM

Sep 24 Sri Durga Abhishekam Sri Ram Parivar Murthi Abhishekam

10AM 6PM

Sep 25 4th Sunday Puja 10AM

Sep 27 Pradosham 6:30PM

Sep 30 Mahalaya Paksha ends

October (Temple Closed 12, 19 & 26)

Oct 1 Venkateshwara Abhishekam Devi Navarathri Begins

10AM

Oct 7 Garba 8PM

Oct 8 Sunderkand Mata Ki Chowki

10AM 4:30PM

Oct 9 Durga Astami, Kanya Puja

Oct 10 Maha Navami

Oct 11 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Vijaya Dasami, Ravan Dahan Devi Navarathri ends

5:00PM 7PM

Oct 13 Radha Krishna Abhishekam Pradosham

10AM 6:30PM

Oct 15 Poornima; Satyanarayan Puja 6PM

Oct 16 Sri Murugan Abhishekam 10AM

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 10AM

Oct 23 4th Sunday Puja 10AM

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

10AM 6PM

Nov 10 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Radha Krishna Abhishekam

10 AM 6:30 PM

Nov 12 Sunderkand Pradosham

10AM 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 10AM

Nov 19 HTOR Annual Banquet 6PM

Nov 20 Sri Murugan Abhishekam Annual General Body Meeting

10AM 1PM

Nov 25 Tulsi Vivah 6:30PM

Nov 26 Sri Durga Abhishekam Pradosham

10AM 6PM

Nov 22 4th Sunday Puja 10AM

December (Temple Closed 7, 14, 21 & 29)

Dec 3 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM

Dec 8 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 6:30PM

Dec 9 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM

Dec 10 Sunderkand 10AM

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 10AM

Dec 24 Sri Durga Abhishekam 10AM

Dec 25 4th Sunday Puja 10AM

Dec 26 Pradosham 6:30PM

Dec 28 Hanumath Jayanthi 6:00PM

Dear Temple Devotee: As we count down toward the Shikhar installation, between October 21st and 23rd 2016, we are pleased to provide the following update. Details about the specific events during these three days may be found elsewhere in this Newsletter and will also be mailed to you in a program flyer. Please check Temple's website for updates. Please plan to attend these spiritually uplifting pujas and enjoy the fellowship with your Temple community. Puja update:

o We will have five havan kunds o Opportunity to sposnsor at least one of 15 havans o Seven priests to conduct the proceedings

Constructin Update: o As you receive this update, othe shikhars will be enroute and expected to be here by the middle of July. o Balalayam Puja:

To facilitate work on the roof of and around the Devasthan, Pujariji performed the Balalayam (mini temple) puja on June 9, in which a temporary altar has been created in the prayer hall, the ritual transfer of the cosmic energies in the deities into Kalash was performed and the Kalashas were installed in the Balalayam.

The regular pujas and abhishekams will be performed to the Utsav Murthis. o The structural steel work to support the shikhars will start shortly. You will see the construction crew

working in and around the temple. o Please follow the new parking rules and use the indicated temple entrances to ensure your safety.

Volunteers needed: o Need lots and lots of volunteers for many activities such as painting areas of the temple, cleaning temple

rooms, rearranging and organizing temple rooms, cleaning lamps, preparing packets for devotees, preparing shloka books, helping with the registration, helping with driving devotees between parking lot and the Temple, getting the kalashas ready, helping with the Havans, helping with food preparation, serving, and cleanup, and numerous things big and small that come up. Please volunteers as much as you can.

o Please be understanding and flexible. Your cooperation and active involvement are crucial for the successful conduct of this major event.

Fund raising o As you can imagine, a project of this magnitude requires strong financial support from the community. We

are off to a good start and are grateful for the support so far. o As proof of that wonderful support, you will be delighted to know that we already have a generous Pradhan

Sponsorship of $50,000 five other Pradhan Sponsorships of $25,000 each. We have also received a contribution of $10,000 as one of five possible Kalash sponsorship and many others at various levels.

o But we need to raise approximately another $350,000. o Our goal is to complete the project, fully funded through the generosity of our dedicated community and

without any bank loan. Only you can make it possible with your contribution now. o We are looking for more Pradhan sponsorships, Kalash sponsorships, and any level at which you think you

can help your Temple. o Many other ways to donate. You may also donate using Paypal at Temple's website or choose the ACH facility

to transfer money from your bank account at regular intervals. o Regardless of the mode but we need your strong, generous support now to help Temple have a successful

Shikhar installation. Please complete and return as soon as possible with your check or with your pledge the support form in the program flyer that you will receive or in this newsletter. We have the blessing and a golden opportunity to play a big role in completing this significant project for our Temple. The fact that this is the 25th year of our Temple makes this accomplishment all the more special. Please feel free to contact anyone on the Board or the Executive Council if you need more information.

Save the Dates: October 21 – 23, 2016

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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: $1000.00 (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 20061 Rochester, NY-14602-0061)

(Please write "Membership 2016" in the memo area on the check)

Please PRINT all the information to keep our records updated. Thank you!

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Check this box if address has changed Check this box for other information change Payment method CREDIT CARD CHECK

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ABHISHEKAM SCHEDULE (Suggested Sponsorship $31)

Sri Ganesha Every Monday & Sankata Hara Chaturthi

10:00am 6:00/6:30pm

Sri Venkateshwara & Sri Padmavathi 1st Sat 10:00 am

Sri Ram Parivar & Sunderkand Puja 2nd Saturday 10:00 am

Lord Murugan Sri Valli & Devayani 3rd Sunday 10:00 am

Maa Durga 4th Saturday 10:00 am *

4TH Sunday Puja 4th Sunday 10:00 am

Sri Hanuman & Sri Kartikeya Every Tuesday 10:00 am

Sri Shiva & Sri Parvati Every Monday & Every Pradosham

10:00am 6:00/6:30 pm

Sri Radha Krishna 2nd 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

Significance of Guru Purnima: The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Maharshi Veda Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus. On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a 'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptor or 'Gurudevs'. This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day. Source: http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/gurupurnima.htm