of Rochester 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY 14534-1008 http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com Telephone: (585) 427- 8091 Jul, Aug, Sep 2016 Newsletter #3

President’s Column! where students did amazing performances and EXECUTIVE temple and community saluted them for their Nobel Hari ! service. On behalf of the Executive council, I am pleased to provide to COUNCIL  Also please join me to thank Ramana Adibhatla, Shashi all of you a progress report during the 2nd quarter of 2016. Bhargava and Kumarji who have ably erformed the President Here is a summary update: required pujas and other volunteers for covering Om P. Gupta  As we are well aware, the installation and consecration of during Pujariji absence whenever called upon. 585-385-1020 the shikhars (which are completed and expected to arrive  During the 2nd quarter, we continue to polish our work in NY on July 15) during the weekend of October 21st – on policies, procedures, abuse prevention policy October 23rd 2016 is the main focus of EC, BoTs and the implementation, electronic office, preventive facility Vice President Shikhar committee via special Pujas and Havans to all maintenance; and operational procedures for Agarwal Murthis personified in the holy water of the Kalash consistency. 585-381-5746 completed on June 9 th with Baalaalyam and  Thanks to Raje, our education Secretary, and her concluding with the Abhishekam on August 28th in which volunteers, more work in Library is completed and the holy water in the puja Kalashas is poured over the projected operational date is around Mid-October. Secretary Deities and on top of the Shikhar to mark the restoration Additionally, a support group has been launched to Ramana Adibhatla of the energies and consecration of the shikhars. This is a help those who may be in ill-health or grieving significant undertaking for our Temple and to make it families whose loved one may have passed away. See 585-329-3698 successful, your active participation is crucial – information in the newsletter. participation by way of attending, enjoying, and  Your support and participation in the Temple’s Treasurer benefitting from the daily programs, volunteering in initiative is appreciated. Beginning in July,we are various activities, sponsoring Havans and pujas and introducing a new yoga teacher Amita Bhagat. Classes Chetna Chandrakala providing much needed financial support. As you visit will move from Tuesdays to Mondays from 6:30 PM – 773- 704-8817 temple, you will witness the transformation of our temple 7:30 PM. The first July class will start on July 11th. So during this historic timeline. EC and Pujariji also have the let us get healthy by your participation. See more dual task to complete day-to- day duties of the temple information in this newsletter. Cultural Secretary during the Shikhar project implementation. EC with help  Under the leadership of Chetna and Sanjay, Temple Madhavi Devarakonda from Dr Kumar, the Shikhar project leader, have and ICC jointly held a successful session on 585-242-9447 identified major work categories and developed a project May 29. We look forward to more of such joint forums timeline with identification of volunteer support needed. for community benefit. You can visit our website hindutempleofRochester.com Continued…. Communications to get on-going status and commit your financial and human resources. If you would like to volunteer please BOARD OF TRUSTEES Secretary contact Ravi for general Shikhar volunteer help at Aruna Bhargava [email protected] or Madhavi at Surendar Johar Rao 585-586-2146 [email protected] to help in religious related Anil Sawhney (C) Virendra Gupta Shikhar volunteer work. We thank the Shikhar committee Bal Narang Rajesh Mehrotra under the leadership of Surendar Johar, Kumarji, Nagin Shah Manoj Rajgarhia Educational Secretary Subhash Kohli and Vinod Bajaj with support from BoT Don Shetty Jaimala Thanik Chair and President for their diligent and hard work. Now Raje Sathasivan the project implementation is handed over to the EC 585-802-0119 under guidance from Kumarji and Surendar Johar. With VOLUNTEER GURUS

support from the President, Sanjay Mathur and Madhavi Sunetra Deore Rajashree Bhagwat Facilities Secretary have been assigned lead roles with each EC member and community members assuming important sub-lead roles. Aruna Bhargava Suma Potini Vinod Bajaj Radhika Ramesh Sandhya Nambiar 585-442-2525  During the 2nd quarter of 2016, EC under leadership of our cultural Secretary, Madhaviji, temple completed Kusuma Vulapalli Talwar many important puja; Chandramana Yugadi, Vasantha Manika Mohan Alka Phatak Past President Navrathri Maa Puja, Souramana Yugadi, Vasantha Sujatha Rajan Jyothi Bhagavatula Sanjay Mathur Navrathri Kanya puja, Shri Ram Navami and Shri Nidhi Singh Raje Sathasivan Kalyanostava, and Baalaalyam Puja which were Madhavi Dixit Meenakshi Bansal 585-666-0608 well attended. We ask all of you to continue to help with your appropriate Hundi Dakshna as part of your duty Anita Kumar Priyanka Singh Priest when you visit temple to cover the cost of operations, Kusum Shah Sandhya Sarlashkar food, paper supplies, cleaning support and supplies etc. Mukta Mande Sangeetha Ramkumar L.V. Govind Additionally, we had very successful Annual Healthwalk, Kiran Verma Manisha Srivastava 585-427-8091 Volunteer appreciation day and World Yoga Day. These initiatives have found foundation as annual events. Sarada Mahalingam Rakesh Roshan Sastry Bhagavatula  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

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.

COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS: Temple Hours: HTOR Hindu Temple of Rochester Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 11:30AM & 6:00PM - 8:30PM EC Executive Council Sat & Sun 9:00AM -12:00 Noon & 4:30PM - 8:30PM BoT Board Of Trustees Wednesday Temple Closed, except on Special Occasions. 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: [email protected]

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

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

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 email to [email protected]

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)

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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 . All are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four , wrote the 18 , 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 '' from this day. Source: http://hinduism.about.com/od/festivalsholidays/a/gurupurnima.htm 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 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 & Sri Every Tuesday 10:00 am

Sri & Sri Every Monday & 10:00am Every Pradosham 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