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Home , Asura, Bhadra (Krishna's wife), Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Nataraja Ramakrishna, Padmavathi

of Rochester 120 Pinnacle Road, Pittsford, NY 14534-1008 http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com Telephone: (585) 427- 8091 Jul, Aug, Sep 2015 Newsletter #3

President’s Column!  The temple has switched from Quicken to QuickBooks EXECUTIVE effective this year, in order to simplify the Namaste! maintenance of member/donor database and COUNCIL Dear Fellow Devotee: financial records. The donor database has been President In the first few months of the year we all have had opportunity updated through the year 2014. to enjoy the festivities of , , Ram Navmi and prana  Local media has covered our and meditation Sanjay Mathur prathishtapana of our Sri Krishanji and Mata utsava classes, holi function as well as our Nepal appeal for 585-666-0608 murthis. As we come near completion of the first half of 2015, Prayer and Donation. They will also publicize I would like to share with you all some of our awareness of Upcoming World Yoga day on June 21st accomplishments. 2015. Vice President  Special General Body Meeting - Phase IV approved: The P. Gupta Board of Trustees are always guiding us in long term The Mandala for Sri and Sri Utsav 585-385-1020 vision and planning teams, one each for Shikhar, Kitchen Murthis on Friday, 19th and Saturday, 20th June 2015 and and Facility Improvement (internal and external) have World Yoga Day on Sunday, 21st June 2015 was successful been constituted. and without volunteer support, we would not have been Secretary  Membership Satisfaction Survey: We have already able to do these events. We are blessed to have passionate Ramana Adibhatla provided you all with the general feeling from devotees volunteers and devotees who are always there to help. I cannot individually thank our volunteers but appreciate 585-329-3698 and will also follow-up on the feedback received  An extremely successful Akhand Path in everyone’s contribution. January with participation of 126 families, which was the Treasurer highest number since the beginning of the program. Please review our emails and website updates. Our communications team regularly updates our Facebook Chetna Chandrakala  Yoga and Meditation classes are being offered.  Our educational programs and participation has taken a page. 773- 704-8817 leap and our senior school students and teachers have May the of Bhagwan ji always be with you, enthusiastically participated in Nazareth Colleges’, Global Respectfully submitted, Cultural Secretary Citizenship Conference. We also participated in an interfaith music program at Nazareth College to Sanjay Mathur (on behalf of Executive Council) Kusuma Vulapalli understand the role of sacred music in healing and 585-292-9907 harmony. For the first time our Temple represented at the United Nations Faith Fair at the Monroe Community Weekly Learning Activities College. Bal Vihar Sundays 9:30AM Communications  Our facilities management teams are working constantly Secretary to manage preventive maintenance as our Temple Hindi Class Sundays 10:45AM facilities age. Fire protection, elevator maintenance and Bhargava managing the fire alarm systems and many more Tamil Class Sundays 2:30PM 585-586-2146 activities are being monitored. Class Sundays 9:30AM  Prayer Service / Appeal for Nepal earthquake. Dance Class Sundays 3:00PM Educational Secretary  Celebrated a Volunteer and Teacher Appreciation Day. EC is working towards greater volunteer engagement. A Yoga Class Tuesdays 6:30PM Jyothi Bhagavatula plan, to empower volunteers to help in as well as 607-962-7764 fulfill various needs of the temple is being worked upon.  BOTs and EC have implemented a process approach to BOARD OF TRUSTEES setup work groups. Facilities Secretary  Electronic Office work group has completed initial work Surendar Johar Rao Vinod Bajaj on improving our telephone mail box system and Internet Anil Sawhney (Chair) Virendra Gupta 585-442-2525 connection has been installed. Both these systems have Bal Narang Rajesh Mehrotra been added without any additional cost to the temple and Jaimala Thanik Manoj Rajgarhia will reduce paperwork and enhance efficiency. Don Shetty J. R. Agarwala Past President  Compliance work group has implemented Standard Ashok Gupta Operating Procedures that provide comprehensive guidance on topics such as Safety & Maintenance, Temple Hours 585-755-2420 Insurance Coverage, Governance, Administrative, Financial & Personnel record keeping, Donation Day Time Priest accounting & Vendor payments, Facility Booking & Usage Mon-Fri 9:00AM – 11:30AM Policy. 6:00PM – 8:30PM L.V. Govind  Implementation of an efficient and user friendly credit 585-427-8091 card processing system. Sat & 9:00AM – 12:00PM  The temple's financial year had a great start with the loan Sun 4:30PM – 8:30PM repayment of $316k in January. Thanks to the support of Wed Closed except for special all the devotees, temple is currently debt-free. For the occasions first five months in 2015, temple has received donations of $95k, and has expenses of approximately $65k. Please check the web-site for details.

July 2015 Events Poornima Jul 01, 2015 6:30 PM Satyanarayana Puja Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10:00 AM Shree Venkateshwara and Jul 04, 2015 Abhishekam

Sankata Hara Chaturthi 6:00 PM Sri Abhishekam

Sri Krishna Utsava Murthi Krishna Abhishekam Jul 09, 2015 6:30 PM Abhishekam Sunderkand Paath Sunderkand Jul 11, 2015 10:00 AM Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907) Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Jul 13, 2015 6:30 PM Abhishekam, , & Aarti Sri Parivar Utsava Murthi Punarvasu Star Jul 14, 2015 6:30 PM Abhishekam Sri Murugan Abhishekam Jul 19, 2015 10:00 AM Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sri Durga Utsava Murthi Sri Durga Abhishekam Jul 25, 2015 10:00 AM Abhishekam 4th Sunday Puja Jul 26, 2015 10:00 AM Host Puja Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907)

Shukla Ekadasi 5:30 PM Sri Murthi Abhishekam Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Jul 28, 2015 6:30 PM Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Poornima, Samuhik Special Poornima Jul 30, 2015 10:00 AM Satyanarayana Puja Temple is closed : July 2, 8, 15, 22 & 29 2015

ABHISHEKAM SCHEDULE (Suggested Sponsorship $31) Sri Ganesha Every Monday & 10:00am Sankata Hara Chaturthi 6:00/6:30pm Sri Venkateshwara & Sri Padmavathi 1st Saturday 10:00 am Sri Ram Parivar & Sunderkand Puja 2nd Saturday 10:00 am Lord Murugan Sri & 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 Shiva & Sri Parvati Every Monday & 10:00am Every Pradosham 6:00/6:30 pm Sri Every 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

August 2015 Events Shree Venkateshwara and Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Aug 01, 2015 10:00 AM Padmavathi Abhishekam Sankata Hara Chaturthi Aug 02, 2015 5:30 PM Sri Ganesha Abhishekam

Adi Krittika Aug 07, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sunderkand Paath Sunderkand Aug 08, 2015 10:00 AM Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907) Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Aug 11, 2015 6:30 PM Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Punarvasu Star Aug 12, 2015 6:30 PM Abhishekam Radha Krishna Abhishekam Aug 13, 2015 6:30 PM Shri Radha Krishna Abhishekam Adi Pooram, Sri Murugan Sri Murugan Abhishekam Aug 16, 2015 10:00 AM Abhishekam Durga Abhishekam Aug 22, 2015 10:00 AM Sri Durga Abhishekam Host Puja 4th Sunday Puja Aug 23, 2015 10:00 AM Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907) Sri Vishnu and Sri Rama Parivar Shukla Ekadasi Aug 25, 2015 6:30 PM Murthi Abhishekam Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Aug 27, 2015 6:30 PM Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Sri Vara MahaLakshmi Vratam, Tiru Vara Lakshmi Vratam Aug 28, 2015 6:30 PM , Rig /Thread Change Poornima, Yajur Upakarma, Satyanarayana Puja, Yajur Aug 29, 2015 6:30 PM Raksha bandhana Upakarma, Raksha Bandana Gayathri Havan Aug 30, 2015 9:30 AM Gayathri Havan

Sri Raghavendra Aradhana Aug 31, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Raghavendra Swami Aradhana Temple is closed : August 5, 19 & 26 2015

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 “”).  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.

September 2015 Events Sankata Hara Chaturthi Sep 01, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Ganesha Abhishekam

Janmastami Sep 04, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Krishna Astami Shree Venkateshwara and Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam Sep 05, 2015 10:00 AM Padmavathi Abhishekam Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Punarvasu Star Sep 07, 2015 6:30 PM Abhishekam Radha Krishna Abhishekam Sep 10, 2015 5:30 PM Shri Radha Krishna Abhishekam

Pradosham 6:30 PM Sri Rudram Chanting Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Sunderkand Paath Sunderkand Sep 12, 2015 10:00 AM Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907) Sama Upakarma, Swarna Gowri Sep 16, 2015 Swarna Gowri Vratam Vratam

Sri Ganesha Chaturthi Sep 17, 2015 5:30 PM Ganesha Abhishekam

Sri Murugan Abhishekam Sep 20, 2015 10:00 AM Sri Murugan Abhishekam

Shukla Ekadasi Sep 23, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam Sri Rudram Chanting Pradosham Sep 25, 2015 6:30 PM Shiva Parvati Abhishekam, Bhajans, Bhog & Aarti Durga Abhishekam Sep 26, 2015 10:00 AM Durga Abhishekam 4th Sunday Puja Sep 27, 2015 10:00 AM Ganesha Visarajana, Host Puja Please contact for sponsorship: Kusuma Vulapalli (585-292-9907)

Poornima 4:30 PM Satyanarayana Puja, Vishnu Sahasranama at 6:00 PM

Lunar Eclipse 9:07 PM – 12:27AM Temple closes @ 7:00 PM Sankata Hara Chaturthi Sep 30, 2015 6:30 PM Sri Ganesha Abhishekam Temple is closed : September 2, 9, 16 & 24 2015

COMMONLY USED ABBREVIATIONS

Please support the temple’s efforts in being eco-friendly HTOR Hindu Temple Of Rochester EC Executive Council by choosing paperless delivery of the newsletter. You BOT Board Of Trustees can let us know your choice on the membership form or LRPC Long Range Planning Committee email at [email protected] AGBM Annual General Body Meeting

The Greatness of Krishna Source: http://cvrajan.hubpages.com/hub/The-story-of-Krishna-The-enchanting--of-Vishnu The Avatar of Krishna is said to have taken place in Dwapara Yuga (a time period dating back to thousands of years

The avatar of Krishna is considered a "Poornavatar" - Godly qualities manifesting in full and Lord Krishna is perhaps the most widely adored and worshiped Avatar.

Krishna is sweetness personified. His attraction to devotees is magnetic. He is ever joyful; He is the preacher of Yoga (the path for unification with God through work without attachment) and he is a perfect Karma himself, performing work ceaselessly all through his life with joyous detachment and abandonment, seeking no fruits for himself.

Unlike his predecessor of the previous Yuga - Rama, Krishna was fully conscious of his divinity and he never tried to hide his divine prowess. At every right and opportune occasion, he demonstrated his divinely and super-human powers and attributes and utilized them to humble his opponents, destroy the evil doers and to instantly come to the rescue of his devotees in distress. He was all at once the player by the rules and also the lord of the rules - and by virtue of this lordship, a breaker of the rules too, for the goodness of the world.

The divine play of Krishna is something that cannot be written across a few pages. It is extremely difficult comprehended Krishna by a mere intellectual analysis. Krishna is amenable more to those who love him than to those who analyze him

Story of 16,100 wives of Krishna Source: http://aumamen.com/topic/16000-wives-of-krishna-spiritual-significance Krishna had mainly eight wives , he was called Ashtabharya (ashta=eight, bharya=wife) because of that. Different scriptures list their names differently. According to purana names of the eight wives in order were , , Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, and .

Narakasura*, the king Naraka had kidnapped 16,100 (some sources say 16,000 probably for the sake of ease) women and held them in his captivity in his capital Pragjyotisha.

Naraka had stolen the ear-rings of (daughter of , first nascent being), her sons were unable to fight against Naraka. Upon their request krishna along with his wife Sathyabhama attacked Pragjyotisha on his vehicle (eagle) and fought a fierce battle against the , in that war many powerful demons were slayed by krishna. Most important of those were Mura and Naraka.

( had the curse of being killed by his own mother, Sathyabhama is considered the incarnation of Mother earth, thus she killed Narakasura)

After killing Naraka, krishna released 16,100 women that Narakasura had in captivity. When krishna asked them to return to their houses, they refused. They were aware that the society of that age would not take back those who were taken by another man. So they were left with nowhere to go.

When Krishna asked them what they wanted to do, they all wanted Krishna to marry them. Krishna married them all at the same auspicious time assuming that many bodies, so they could gain status of married women and live in the society with honor again. Krishna constructed them each a palace with huge gardens ful of colorful flowers, It was impossible to live with each of them so he created 16100 forms of himself so that he could treat them all in the same manner as his 8 wives. Scriptures say that each of them had 10 sons and 1 daughter.

Some stories say that each of 16,100 women were from the past who wanted to be part of Lord's incarnation on earth. Who wanted to live closer to him and witness his life. Upon their prayer to lord vishnu he granted them the boon to be his wives in his next incarnation on earth.

Some stories say 16100 women were , who did not want to marry anyone else but krishna, who thus remained unmarried throughout their lives.

* Naraka+; naraka was his name, naraka also means hell, he is considered the son of mother earth thus called Bhaumasura (son of , bhumi=earth). Asura means demon.)

Hindu Temple of Rochester Calendar of Festivals and Events – 2015 Phone: (585) 427-8091 http://www.hindutempleofrochester.com July (Temple Closed 2 & 8, 15, 22, & 29) October (Temple Closed 1, 7 & 28) Jul 1 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Oct 3 Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Jul 4 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Oct 5 Sri Rama Parivar Abhishekam 6:30PM Sankatahara Chaturthi, Sri Ganesh 6PM Oct 9 Pradosham 6:30PM Abhishekam Oct 10 Sunderkand 10AM Jul 11 Sunderkand 10AM Oct 12 Mahalaya Paksha ends Jul 13 Pradosham 6:30PM Oct 13 Devi Navarathri begins Jul 14 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Oct 16 Garba 8PM Jul 16 Dakshinayana Punya kala begins Oct 17 Mata Ki Chowki 4PM Jul 19 Sri Murugan Abhishekam 10AM Oct 18 Murugan Abhishekam 10AM Jul 26 4th Sunday Puja 10AM Oct 20 Durga Astami, Kanya Puja Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 5:30PM Oct 21 Maha Navami Jul 27 Pradosham 6:30PM Oct 22 Vijaya Dasami, Ravan Dahan 7PM Jul 30 Guru Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Devi Navarathri ends * - Samuhik Special Satyanarayana Pooja Oct 23 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM August (Temple Closed 5, 19, & 26) Oct 24 Pradosham 6PM th Aug 1 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Oct 25 4 Sunday Puja 10AM Aug 2 Sankatahara Chathurthi, Sri Ganesh 5:30PM Oct 26 Tula Poornima; Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Abhishekam Oct 30 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesha 6:30PM Abhishekam; Karva Chauth 7PM Aug 7 Adi Krittika Aug 8 Sunderkand 10AM November (Temple Closed 4 & 18) Aug 11 Pradosham 6:30PM Nov 1 Sri Rama Parivar Abhishekam 6:30PM Aug 12 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 10AM Nov 7 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Aug 16 Adi Pooram; Sri Murugan Abhishekam 10AM 5:30PM Aug 23 4th Sunday Puja 10AM Nov 8 Pradosham 5:30PM Aug 25 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Nov 9 Aug 27 Pradosham 6:30PM Nov 10 Aug 28 Sri Vara Mahalakshmi Vratam 6:30PM Nov 11 Deepavali 10AM Aug 29 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja, Raksha 6PM Nov 14 Sunderkand 10AM Bandhana Deepavali Celebrations 6PM Aug 30 Gayathri Japam/Havan 9:30AM Nov 17 Shashti Nov 21 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 4:30PM

September (Temple Closed 2, 9, 16 & 24) Annual Banquet 6PM Sep 1 Sankatahara Chaturthi 6:30PM Nov 22 4th Sunday Puja 10AM Sep 4 Sri Krishna Janmastami 6:30PM Annual General Body Meeting 1PM Sep 4 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Nov 23 Pradosham 6:30PM Sep 7 Sri Rama Parivar Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Nov 24 Poornima, Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Sep 10 Radha Krishna Abhishekam 5:30PM Nov 28 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh 6PM Pradosham 6:30 PM Abhishekam Sep 12 Sunderkand 10AM Nov 29 Sri Rama Utsava Abhishekam 10AM Sep 17 Sri Ganesha Chaturthi December (Temple Closed 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) Sep 20 Sri Murgan Abhishekam 10AM Sep 23 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 6:30PM Dec 5 Sri Venkateshwara Abhishekam 10AM Sep 25 Pradosham 6:30PM Dec 8 Pradosham 6:30PM Sep 27 4th Sunday Puja 10AM Dec 12 Sunderkand 10AM Satyanarayan Puja 4:30PM Dec 21 Sri Vishnu Murthi Abhishekam 10AM Lunar Eclipse 9:07 PM-12:27AM Vaikunta Ekadasi; Vishnu Sahasranamam 12PM (Temple open 9-12; 4-7PM) (16X) 12-8 PM Sep 28 Mahalaya Paksha begins Dec 22 Pradosham 6PM Sep 30 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh 6:30PM Dec 24 Poornima; Satyanarayan Puja 6:30PM Abhishekam Dec 25 Darshanam; Nataraja Abhishekam 10AM

Dec 26 Sri Rama Parivar Abhishekam 6PM Dec 27 4th Sunday Puja 10AM Dec 28 Sankatahara Chaturthi; Sri Ganesh 6:30PM Abhishekam

MEDITATION GURU “ARCHNA DIDI” TO VISIT Hindu Temple of Rochester (SEPTEMBER 11-13, 2015) JOIN US AND PARTICIPATE IN THIS ONE OF A KIND OPPORTUNITY

Spiritual Masters enlighten this world with their sacred presence and the world owes a great deal to them. Meditation Guru “ARCHANA DIDI” is one of these enlightened soul, a cosmic light-Light of the Universe. She walked the path of meditation under the guidance & blessings of her Guru. Her tender heart and Guru’s inspiration urged her to share the Divine Bliss with all fellow beings. Thus she founded Celebrating Life Foundation as a means to combine the ancient wisdom of East with the modern & scientific approach of West. Besides following integrated ancient practices of meditation she also worked on some new techniques which are very easy and relevant in this fast moving era. Her sole aim is to make people of the world realize that the Happiness they are searching for is not somewhere outside but, present now & here inside them. Her unique concepts have gained recognition among the masses in a very short time. In a short span of time she has been awarded with many awards, some of them include RASHTRIYA EKTA PURASKAR by Labour and Industry Minister, Youth Excellence Award, Pride of Region Award 2008, Vipramani Samman, Art Mod Kala Samman, Chitragupt Samman etc. *** There will be 2 sessions; exact times and dates (during September 12th weekend) will be announced at a later date.

International Yoga Day: (sources: rediff.com, nytimes.com) The international yoga day was a huge success setting two guinness world records with 35,985 participating performing at one venue and as many as 84 nationalities joining in the official observation. Thirty thousand people turned into yoga square in colorful dresses at the NY’s Time Square, where art of living founder Sri Sri Shankar ji, US Congress woman Tulsi Gabard, ’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj were all present at the gathering.

At the Hindu Temple of Rochester, our world yoga day was a big success. We had 26 participants. We take strides to that we promoted the event via multiple avenue, through the democrat and chronicle, ESPN radio, temple mass emails, facebook, temple web site. We hope we can continue to reflect that Yoga helps the mind and body.

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)

Make check payable to: Hindu Temple of Rochester (mail to: P.O.BOX 20061 Rochester, NY-14602-0061) (Please write "Membership 2015" 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 Please support the temple in its environment friendly Email address (Please PRINT clearly): consciousness goal by choosing the option of paperless delivery of the newsletter. The newsletter is also available for download from the temple website.

Please send me the newsletter by e-mail ONLY I am interested in volunteering at the temple Please send me the newsletter by U.S. Mail ONLY

------Complete membership form and include the form with your check ------

Upakarma: (Source: anubhavati.wordpress.com) Upakarma (/upaakarma/) means beginning or “Arambham“, i.e. to begin the study of the Veda (Veda Adhyayanam). For example, Yajur Upakarma means to begin the study of the Yajur Veda. Those belonging to the Yajur Veda observe the Upakarma in the month of Sravana (August-September), on the day of the full moon (paurnami). Why begin study of the on this particular day? This auspicious day also happens to be the day when Lord assumed the avatar of Lord . Lord Hayagriva as we all know restored the Vedas to Brahma and also is the God of Knowledge.

The next question is: why do this every year? In the not too distant past, Veda Adhyayanam was performed only during the period Avani to Tai (from mid-August to mid-January). Therefore, one is supposed to perform an “utsarjanam” in the month of Tai, i.e., a giving up of the learning of Vedas from Tai to Avani. Just like a Upakarma function there was a Utsarjana function in Tai. The period between January to August was then devoted to learning other branches of our . Thus the cycle of Upakarma and Utsarjana with regard to Vedic studies was established. However, this method took 12 or more years to learn just one veda. Slowly this became impractical and Vedic studies continued throughout the year.

The main purpose of the Upakarma function is to offer prayers and express our gratitude to those rishis who gave us the

Vedas — the rishis through whom the Vedic were revealed. These rishis are known as “kaanda rishis”.In the

Upakarma Homam as well as in the tarpanam, the offerings are made to the kaanda rishis. In fact this tarpanam is so

important that it is included as part of our daily worship.

Everything happens for the good: Source: balagokulam.org In one of India's little kingdoms of long ago there lived a King who (like most of them) was fond of hunting in wild places. His Chief Advisor was a very intelligent man, and also a very optimistic one. He was famous for seeing the rosy side of things. In fact, so strong was his habit of finding good in everything that at times this annoyed his ruler.

One day when the King and his Advisor were on a hunting trip through a dense jungle which went on for miles, the King decided to have a fresh for his breakfast, and, finding a coconut tree near at hand, with his sword cut down a coconut. But as luck would have it, his sword slipped in his hand and came crashing down on one of his toes, cutting it off! Limping over to his Advisor with loud shouts of pain, he was terribly shocked to hear the latter say, "Ah, that's wonderful!"

"What?!" yelled the King; "I cut off my toe and you say it is wonderful?"

"This is a real ," replied the Advisor. By now the King was furious, thinking the man was making fun of him.

"Take it from me," said his Advisor, "behind this apparent bad accident there is some good which we cannot now see." That was it! The King had noticed a dry well nearby, and being a strong man, he picked up his companion and just threw him into that well. Then he set out to limp back to his fortified town and castle.

This meant, however, walking through dense jungle, frequented by the wild tribes of those days, some of whom were headhunters. On his way the King met a band of those headhunters, who decided that, being royalty, he would make an excellent sacrifice for this month's festival. As you may imagine, the King did not feel at all honored by this decision. The warriors carried him to the tribal priest. It was the duty of this priest to approve all of the offerings that were to be presented. The priest was most particular to see that the item to be offered to the gods was perfect in all respects. While anointing the King's body the priest noticed that he was lacking one toe.

"I am sorry," he told the King, "but we cannot use you after all for this holy sacrifice. The gods will not accept anyone who is not whole- bodied. You will have to go." Naturally the King was delighted and began hobbling away toward his palace. Aha! he thought, so his Advisor had been right -- there was indeed a hidden blessing behind that accident. As fast as his wounded leg would allow, he turned around and went back to the well where he had left his counselor. There he was, standing down in the well and whistling happily to himself.

Now the king managed to reach down far enough to grasp the hand of the Advisor and with great effort to pull him up. Then he apologized for having doubted him and having thought him a fool.

"Oh how sorry I am that I threw you in there," said the King as he dusted off his courtier. "I was taken prisoner by some wild native headhunters who were about to make me a sacrifice victim. Then they saw that my toe was missing, and let me go. And you foretold all this, in a way. Can you ever forgive me?"

"You need not apologize at all; it was a blessing that you threw me down the well and left me there."

"Now, how are you going to make something positive out of that?" queried the King. "Well," said the other, "if I had been with you they would surely have taken me for their sacrifice."

“Watch your thoughts …. they become words

Watch your words …. they become actions PLEASE MARK YOUR Watch your actions …. they become habits CALENDARS: Annual Banquet date has Watch your habits …. they become character CHANGED: November Watch your words …. for it become your destiny” – 21st 2015. More details coming forth.

“You are what you believe in. You become that which you believe you can become” ―

Other ways to support your temple: Accessibility at the HTOR:  Vegetarian Cook book compiled by Indian Community For our devotees who need: members is available for a donation of $10.00 - Please check  Wheel chair access, WHEEL CHAIR IS AVAILABLE in the with Pujariji. shoe room by the East side entrance.  Temple fund raising and money saving Car wash Gift cards are  Baby Diaper changers are available in the south side available at half price with Pujariji.  Elevator is accessible from the south side entrance.

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

Guru Poornima: (Source: swaminarayan.org, many web sites) Celebrated on the day of full moon, Poornima, in the month of Ashadh is also known as Vyas Poornima, in remembrance and veneration to sage Ved Vyas. He is the Adi (original) Guru of the Hindu , who classified the Vedas, wrote the eighteen and the Mahabharat. His parents were Parashar and Matsyagandha. Guru Poornima is also celebrated in respect to all Gurus. On Vyas Poornima, the shishya (student or devotee) offers pujan to the Guru. In , ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘Ru’ is to remove the darkness. A Guru is one who removes the darkness from our life and gives us knowledge. A Guru teaches us the right path to reach God. A spiritual aspirant, no matter how brilliant, can never attain such knowledge by his own endeavor. This is stipulated in the Shrimad Bhagwatam. The Guru plays a vital role in boosting the aspirant frequently, when he loses track, becomes despondent or simply runs out of steam. The aspirant is thus better able to obey the Guru if he understands the Guru's glory.

Vishnu Sahasranama, Rudram, Gita discussion Classes at HTOR: We are planning on starting Vishnu Sahasranama, Rudram classes, & Gita discussion at the HTOR. If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact our Education Secretary.

 Non Profit Organization US Postage Paid Rochester, NY Permit NO. 372 Hindu Temple of Rochester, Inc. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 20061 Rochester NY 14602 – 0061 Phone: (585) 427-8091 www.hindutempleofrochester.com Newsletter: July – September 2015

Apply/Renew Hindu Temple Annual Membership For 2015

Mark your calendars for!! Mandala Puja June 19 & 20, 2015 Guru Poornima July 30, 2015

Sri Vara MahaLakshmi Vratam August 28, 2015 August 29, 2015

Gayathri Havan August 30, 2015

Sri Krishna Janmastami September 4, 2015

Sri Ganesha Chaturthi September 17, 2015 Lunar Eclipse September 27, 2015

Annual Banquet November 21, 2015

Source: .org