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of Rochester 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY 14534-1008 http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com Telephone: (585) 427- 8091 November, December 2014 Newsletter #5

EXECUTIVE President’s Column! BOARD OF TRUSTEES ! J R Agarwala Narayan Deshpande COUNCIL Dear Fellow Devotee: Gupta Virendra Gupta (Chair) President Surendar Johar Rajesh Mehrotra Sanjay Mathur The festival is in full swing. As a member of the Hindu Bal Narang Surekha Gupta 585-666-0608 Temple of Rochester, you have a lot to be proud of. We all Singa Singaravelu Don Shetty celebrated Pavithra Utsavam, a three day event, with great devotion and in September. This was a sacred event Vice President that gave us an opportunity as a community to participate Temple Hours Virendra Sharma spiritually for the well-being and welfare of our loved ones. Day Time With your support and God’s , we hope it will become Mon-Fri 9:00AM – 11:30AM 585-586-1855 an annual event. 6:00PM – 8:30PM Secretary We were able to pull this massive event flawlessly due to one Sat & 9:00AM – 12:00PM and one reason only. Our extraordinary community of 4:30PM – 8:30PM Rao dedicated devotees who stepped forward and did whatever it Wed Closed except for special 585-442-3552 took to make this religious event a grand success. Countless occasions hours went into planning, organizing, and executing Pavithra Utsavam and devotees and members were engaged in every Please check the web-site for details. Treasurer step. And yes, they donated generously. They volunteered their Jatin Thakkar time and talent to clean the temple, created packets, engage in public relations, and organize havans and pujas, 585- 230-0418 managed parking, and did so much more. These volunteers are the pride and joy of our temple and all of us should be proud Weekly Learning Activities Cultural Secretary that we have such a large group of them in our midst. Bal Vihar Sundays 9:30AM Vinod Bajaj The temple also celebrated a number of regularly scheduled Class Sundays 10:45AM 585-442-2525 events in September and October. We are all now gearing up for celebrations and our Annual Banquet. If you have Tamil Class Sundays 2:30PM not already bought your tickets for the annual banquet where Communications you will enjoy a festive atmosphere with great food and Mrudangam Class Sundays 9:30AM Secretary dancing, you may do by contacting members of the Excetutive Dance Class Sundays 3:00PM Aruna Bhargava Council.

585-586-2146 Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hindu- Temple-of-Rochester/356997137647036 and hit the ‘like’ VOLUNTEER Educational Secretary button. FB is a great way to network and learn about the latest Sunetra Deore Rajashree Bhagwat happenings at the temple. Our collective effort towards a green Kusuma Vulapalli temple by conserving resources has started to pay off 585-292-9907 handsomely. We still have a long way to go but thanks to you Aruna Bhargava Suma Potini we have had a great start. Radhika Ramesh Sandhya Nambiar Kusuma Vulapalli Talwar Facilities Secretary Please feel free to contact me or any EC member for any Manika Mohan Alka Phatak suggestions, ideas, comments, or feedback. Remember to Neila Kohli Meera Sampath Ridhi Aravind 585-227-9528 volunteer your time and talent! It is only with your help that we can build a temple that our children will be proud of! Kousalya Prabhakar Raje Sathasivan Madhavi Dixit Shruti Pandya Past President This is your temple and we are here to serve you, always. Monica Kaplash Neha Bhagat

Ashok Gupta Cordially Kusum Shah Sandhya Sarlashkar 585-755-2420 Sanjay Mathur Mukta Mande Kiran Verma President, 2014 Sastry Bhagavatula Sangeetha Ramkumar Priest L.V. Govind 585-427-8091

November 2014 Events Shree Venkateshwara and Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Nov 01, 2014 9:00 AM-10:00AM Padmavathi Abhishekam

Hindu Temple of Rochester Annual Annual Banquet 6:00 PM Banquet.

*** Upstairs Hall closes at 7:00 PM Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Nov 04, 2014 6:30 PM Abhishekam,

Bhajans, & Aarti Tula Poornima, Satyanarayana Tula Poornima Nov 06, 2014 6:30 PM Puja Sunderkand Paath

Please contact for sponsorship: Sunderkand Nov 08, 2014 10:00 AM Vinod Bajaj (585-442-2525) Sankata Hara Nov 09, 2014 5:30 PM Sri Abhishekam

Sri Murugan Abhishekam Nov 16, 2014 10:00 AM Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Nov 19, 2014 6:30 PM Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, , Bhog & Aarti 4th Sunday Host Puja Nov 23, 2014 10:00 AM Host Puja Please contact for sponsorship: Vinod Bajaj (585-442-2525)

AGM 1:00 PM Annual General Body Meeting Temple is closed : November 5th, 12th, 20th & 26th 2014

“The Hindu ” : The is based on lunar corresponding to the phases of the . In one year there are twelve months of 29.5 days, accounting for a total of 354 days. The shortfall means that the date of each festival moves back 11 days each year. To rectify this, an extra leap is added about once every three years. The Hindu calendar is therefore luni-solar, with a precise month and an approximate year.

The year – starting with , the sun's entrance into Capricorn – is divided into two halves and six . There are various ways of reckoning the ; most common is the day after the new moon in the month of or, in , the day after the Diwali new moon. Various eras are used for numbering the years; the most common are the Vikrami Era, beginning with the coronation of King Vikram-aditya in 57 BCE and the Shaka Era, counting from 78 CE. In rituals the priest often announces the dates according to KaliYuga, (see Kala: Time). For these three systems, the year 2000 corresponds to 2057, 1922, and 5102 respectively, though the last figure is subject to some debate. Source: http://hinduism.iskcon.org/practice/402.htm

December 2014 Events Pradosham Dec 03, 2014 6:30 PM Sri Rudram Chanting Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Kartika Deepam, Satyanarayana Poornima Dec 05, 2014 6:30 PM Puja Shree Venkateshwara and Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Dec 06, 2014 10:00 AM Padmavathi Abhishekam Sankata Hara Chaturthi Dec 09, 2014 6:30 PM Sri Ganesha Abhishekam Sunderkand Paath Sunderkand Dec 13, 2014 10:00 AM Please contact for sponsorship: Vinod Bajaj (585-442-2525) India Festival Dec 14, 2014 12:00 PM More details to follow Margazhi, Dhanurmasa Begins Dhanurmasa Begins Dec 15, 2014 (30 days) Pradosham Dec 20, 2014 5:30 PM Sri Rudram Chanting Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Sri Murugan Abhishekam Dec 21, 2014 10:00 AM Sri Murugan Abhishekam

Sri Jayanthi 2:00 PM Hanuman Chalisa (108X) 2-7:30 PM Host Puja 10:00 AM 4th Sunday Host Puja Dec 28, 2014 Please contact for sponsorship:

Vinod Bajaj (585-442-2525) Vaikunta Ekadasi, Vaikunta Ekadasi Dec 31, 2014 10:00 AM Sahasranamam (16X) 12-8 PM Temple is closed : December 4th, 10th, 17th & 24th2014

Temple needs your SUPPORT! SINCERE REQUEST FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL  By becoming a member or renewing your membership. Please be considerate  By taking an active part in the administrative team or Temple  arrive on time for Pujas and committees.  finish your prayers within the Temple hour  By attending and participating in the functions/events.  maintain silence while you are in the prayer hall  By taking advantage of Temple services -- Special pujas, Language,  don’t let the children run around Balvihar and Dance classes.  put your shoes on the racks  By volunteering to teach classes (Temple’s Volunteer “Gurus”).  don’t eat in the prayer hall  By volunteering and signing-up for regular help.  clean up after you  By volunteering and signing-up to help during special pujas.  treat Temple property with care  By extending your strong, consistent financial support. Your Temple Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. needs to be financially strong to serve you.

The dates and times of the events are subject to change. For more information, please visit the facebook page of the temple at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hindu-Temple-of-Rochester/356997137647036

Source: External Web Site http://www.greatdreams.com/hincal.htm

The “HINDU” Calendar The ancient Hindu seers have had a comprehensive study of time. The minute details covered by those fantastic minds in reckoning time is bewildering. The Hindu calender is based on the age of , the Creator. The life span of Creator Lord Brahma is 100 years. His age now is 51 years. Each day of Lord Brahma is designated by a . Each Kalpa comprise of 14 Manus and each Manu consist of 71 Mahayuga. 1000 such Mahayugs completes Lord Bramha's 1 day. At present, we are in the 28th Mahayug.

One Mahayuga comprises of :

 Krutayug = (432,000 X 4) years  Tretayug = (432,000 X 3) years  Dwaparyug = (432,000 X 2) years  Kaliyug = (432,000 X 1) years

We are passing the Kaliyug today, which started in the year 3102 B.C. The are further sub-divided into 60 year cycles. The current cycle began on March 30, 1987 and will end in April 2047. Each year (called the Samvatsar, Shaka or Samvat), normally consists of the 12 months except when there is an (Additional Month).

The religious ritualistic activities are mainly based on the Lunar Calender. However, some regions of Bharat follow the .

Question: Why should not the ordinary spoken language be used in worship instead of ? Will this not enable us to understand and follow these rites better? (source: hindubooks.org) Pita (worship), (sacrifice) and other similar religious rites are considered as sacred and holy acts. It is the (sages), the originators of our religious traditions, that have given us these rites including the procedure and the to be used. Hence it is quite proper that we conform strictly to the pattern of the rites and the language in which they have been transmitted to us. This produces a solemn and sacred atmosphere. Again, according to the science of the Mantras, the various Mantras used in the rites have a special potency. When they are pronounced and intoned properly, they exert a salutary effect on the minds of those who hear them. Hence, if translations or versions in the spoken language are used, they will just be translations only and do not act as Mantras.

It would, perhaps, be helpful if a general description of the rites and the meaning of the mantras are given first in the spoken language, followed by the rituals in the traditional manner. The rites would then become more intelligible to the votaries.

It should not be forgotten here that even in other religions, the religious rites and ceremonies are being conducted in the language of the original scriptures.

ABHISHEKAM SCHEDULE (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 2nd Saturday 10:00 am

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

Sri & Maa 4th Saturday 9:45 am

4TH Sunday Puja 4th Sunday 10:00am

Sri Hanuman & Sri Every Tuesday 10:00 am

Sri Shiva & Sri Parvati Every Monday & 10:00am Every Pradosham 6:00/6:30 pm

Please visit the following website to view photos from various temple events. https://picasaweb.google.com/101917558364915889236

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.

Hanuman (Sources:, http://www.lord-hanuman.com) Sri Hanuman was born of Anjani from Pavana, the wind-god. He was named Hanuman after the name of the city of Hanumpur over which his maternal uncle Parti ruled. Hanuman's body was hard as a stone. So Anjani named him Vajranga. He is also known by the names "Mahavir" or mightiest hero (because he exhibited several heroic feats), Balibima and Maruti.

The world has not yet seen and will not see in future also a mighty hero like Sri Hanuman. During his life he worked wonders and exhibited superhuman feats of strength and valour. He has left behind him a name which, as long as the world lasts, will continue wielding a great influence over the minds of millions of people

He is one of the seven Chiranjivis. He was the only learned scholar who knew the nine . He learnt the Sastras from the sun-god. He was the wisest of the wise, strongest of the strong and bravest of the brave. He was born at the most auspicious hour of the morning of the 8th of the , Chaitra, at 4 o'clock on the most blessed day, Tuesday.

He had the power to assume any form he liked; to swell his body to an enormous extent and to reduce it to the length of a thumb. His strength was superhuman. He was the terror of Rakshasas. He was well versed in the four and other sacred books. His valour, wisdom, knowledge of the scriptures and superhuman strength attracted everybody who came near him. He had extraordinary skill in warfare.

He was the chosen messenger, warrior and servant of Sri Rama. He was the votary and devotee of Lord Rama. Rama was his all in all. He lived to serve Rama. He lived in Rama. He lived for Rama. He was a minister and intimate friend of Sugriva.

From his very birth he exhibited extraordinary physical strength and worked many miracles. When he was a child he put the sun into his mouth. All the gods were very much troubled. They came with folded hands to the child and humbly entreated him to release the sun. The child set free the sun at their request.

Hanuman saw Sri Rama for the first time in Kishkindha. Sri Rama and Lakshmana came there in the course of their search of whom had carried away. A had pronounced a curse on Hanuman for his wrong action, that he would remain unconscious of his great strength and prowess till he met Sri Rama and served him with devotion. As soon as Hanuman beheld Sri Rama he became conscious of his strength and power.

When Sri Rama ascended to his supreme abode, Sri Hanuman also wished to follow him. But the Lord asked him to remain in this world as his representative and attend all the assemblies of men where discourses on his deeds were held and heard, and help his devotees in cultivating devotion.

He is a Chiranjeevi. He is everywhere. He who has eyes and devotion beholds him and receives his blessing.

According to the legend, once Lord Hanuman saw Goddess Sita applying on her forehead. On seeing this, Hanuman enquired from her the reason for applying Sindoor. Goddess Sita replied that this would ensure a long life for her husband. Hanuman then smeared his entire body with sindoor, in an effort to ensure Rama's immortality. So on this day, devotees visit temples and apply tilak of sindoor to their foreheads from the Hanumans body as this is considered to be good luck.

Kartika Poornima: The Full Moon day of the Shukla (waxing moon) of the month is considered very auspicious.  It marks the end of Kartik month and start of Margshirsha. It also ends the and marks the start of Hemant Ritu. As per pitta gets aggravated in shard and Kapha in Hemant Ritu. With it also starts the .  It is also called Diwali of the Gods and Tripuri Purnima. The day marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demons Tripuri. Tripuri Purnima is one of the most propitious days for worshipping of Shiva, next only to the .  Karthik bath at Ganga is considered one of the mashes sans (holy baths) of the year. It gives the required vitamin D. As it marks the start of winter it is also the last day to take Ganga Snana.  With it also starts the marriage season. Maximum marriages take place on this day.

Significance of the month of Kartika (Sources:, http://blessingsonthenet.com ) Karthika masam or Kartik month is the most auspicious month amongst all 12 Hindu months. According to , pujas, rituals, Kartika month give them great pleasure and happiness in life because this is the most favorite month for both Lord Vishnu and Shiva. They believe that praying to Lord during Kartik maas fetches them (salvation).The pujas, all other rituals, rules and code during the month are called as Kartika Masa Vratam. There are certain rules and codes to perform Kartika Masa . The Karthika Purana details the rituals and customs to be performed during the month of Karthik. Various Hindu sacred texts have mentioned the list of basic rituals and customs of Kartika masam Kartik is the holiest month in the Hindu . It usually overlaps with the months October & November in the English calendar. Kartik Maas is described in the scriptures as the best among months for performing austerities.

The rituals associated with the Kartik month are as follows:  Give Charity (daan).  - chanting the holy names of the Lord. As per our scriptures, if somebody performs even a little worship of Lord Shri Hari in this month, He offers that devotee His own abode.

 Deep Daan (offering lamps) - Worship the Lord by offering lamps (diyas), flowers, , food, etc. Lighting a before the Lord is called as "deep-daan" and affords immense religious merits when performed during the Kartik month.

 In the Padma Purana, Kartik Mahatmya, there is a very famous story of a mouse. In a temple of Lord Vishnu, there was a mouse who used to eat the from the extinguished ghee lamps which had been offered by devotees to Him. One day when she felt hungry to eat ghee, she tried to eat the ghee from a lamp which was not yet extinguished. While eating ghee from the lamp, the cotton wick got stuck in her teeth. Since the ghee wick had a flame, the mouse started jumping in front of the Lord's Deity form and thus died due to fire. But Lord Sri Vishnu accepted the jumping of that mouse with a lit ghee wick in her mouth as His aarti. In the end, He gave her liberation, the highest destination. If somebody burns a lamp in the temple of Lord Shri Hari even for a short time (in the month of Kartik), then whatever sins, he has acquired for millions of kalpas (one kalpa equals 1000 yugas) are all destroyed." Of all gifts, the gift of a lamp during the month of Kartik is the best. No gift is its equal."

The Puran states, "The person who lights the lamp of sesame (til) oil in the name of Lord Shri Hari in the month of Kartik (during Sandhya) gets unlimited prosperity, beauty, blessedness and wealth."

Worship of Tulsi in Kartik is the bestower of innumerable virtues. As per our scriptures, the religious merits obtained from bathing at Prayag, death in Kashi, and study of the scriptures are acquired simply through the worship of the Tulsi plant. During Kartik month, one should specially light a diya near the Tulsi plant. Applying tilak on the forehead using Tulsi ji's mitti (sand) in Kartik bestows good fortune (saubhagya).

Perform austerities - Lord Shiva said to His son Kartikeyaji, "Dear son! One who takes a bath before sunrise in the month of Kartik is absolved of all sins." A bath during the Brahma-murat in this month at home as well affords the same religious merits as bathing in holy places of pilgrimage like Gangaji, Kashi, etc. By sleeping on the ground during Kartik, one is entitled to the same religious merits as obtained by donating a piece of land to during the solar and lunar eclipses.

Kartika Poornima (continued):  The whole month of ‘Kartika’ is considered sacred among all the twelve months of the year with a festival almost every third day. The last five days are considered more sacred () and ends with Karthika Poornima. The five days are devoted to worship of Tulsi, Awala, Shiva and sun bath.  Jains celebrate the Purnima as Diwali with the worship of Lord .  Lord Vishnu is worshipped on this day for his birth of Matsya (fish) avatar.  It’s also the birthday of Vrinda, the epitome of the Tulsi plant and of lord Kartikeya, who is the chief of all gods and is the last day to perform the ‘.  Karthik Poornima is also dedicated to the dead ancestors.  The Karthik Purnima festival also coincides with Nanak’s Birthday.

Hindu Temple of Rochester Calendar of Festivals and Events – 2014 Phone: (585) 427-8091 Hindu Temple of Rochester Membership Form (January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015) 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)

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“The Lunar Month”: Within each month, there are two "fortnights," each consisting of 15 "lunar days." Although the solar and lunar days technically begin at different times, each solar day is ascribed one particular lunar day numbered from one to fifteen, either of the bright fortnight (waxing moon) or the dark fortnight (waning moon). Months average out to 29.5 days, so occasionally a day will be dropped. For example, in one month, the fourth day of the waxing moon may be followed by the sixth.

There are two main . In North India, the month generally begins with the full moon, in with the new moon. Festival days will still fall on the same day, or very closely, but the name of the month may be different. For example, Krishna's Birthday falls on the eighth day of the dark moon; in the North this is in the month of ; in the South in Shravana.

The Week: The week is divided into seven days, each corresponding to one of seven planets, exactly as in the West. No

day is particularly special but each is related to a specific deity. For example, Monday is often associated with Shiva and Tuesday with Hanuman.

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Mark your calendars for!!

Deepavali Celebrations vali October 25, 2014 Personalities reflect upon Albert Einstein- Annual Banquet November 1, 2014 When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe Tula Poornima November 6, 2014 everything else seems so superfluous.

Annual General Body Meeting November 23 , 2014 Mahatma Gandhi The Bhagavad-Gita calls on humanity to India Festival December 14, 2014 dedicate body, mind and soul to pure duty and not to become mental voluptuaries at the mercy Sri Hanuman Jayanthi December 21, 2014 of random desires and undisciplined impulses.

Vaikunta December 23, 2014