Souvenir on the Occasion of the 30Th Anniversary, Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre, Canberra, from 25Th March to 14Th May 2017 (45 Days)

Page 1 Page 2 Ref.No.SV/ 8th April,2017 OM NAMO BHAGAVATE SIVANANDAYA OM NAMO BHAGAVATE CHIDANANDAYA

To Sri Muneshwar Sahadeo, President, Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre, The Divine Life Society Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Sivananda Ashram, AUSTRALIA. P.O. Shivanandanagar-249 192 Dist. Tehri-Garhwal, Immortal Atma Swaroop, Uttarkhand, Himalayas. Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram! Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya! Blessing Message for Souvenir on the Occasion of the 30th Anniversary, Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre, Canberra, from 25th March to 14th May 2017 (45 days).

I am immensely happy to learn that you are giving special attention to the practice of chanting the Divine Name, i.e. Japa Yoga. In this Iron Age (Kali Yuga), it is not possible to practice severe austerities such as standing on one leg, living on water or air, etc. Present day man has become physically and mentally weak. He does not have the stamina and strength which ancient sages had. Therefore, the easiest way to progress on the inward path is through Japa Yoga, the constant repetition of the Divine Name. The saints and sages for the last 3-4 centuries have propagated the path of devotion. They have given great importance to chanting of the Divine Name. Constant repetition of the Name bestows upon man peace and happiness. Worshipful Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, called it Sankirtan Yoga. You will find in the religious history of India that saint Mira obtained Darshan of Lord Krishna through singing His glories. So too, the saints Thyagaraja, Surdas, Kanakadas, Purandhara Das – all of them have attained the Lord through singing His Name. I am sure that the 45-day programme you have planned to mark this event will attain complete success. May the choicest blessings of the Lord ever be upon each and every member of the HTCC and all the people of the Capital as well as the rest of Australia!

Page 3 Andrew Barr MLA Chief Minster, ACT

Message of congratulations for the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre

Congratulations to Canberra’s Hindu community on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre. I’m proud that our city is home to a flourishing Hindu community that strives to share its culture and traditions with fellow Canberrans. The Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre has been instrumental in building Canberra’s Hindu community as well as the city’s reputation as a diverse and multicultural place to live.

Best wishes for the festivities and I hope you enjoy the celebrations.

Andrew Barr ACT Chief Minister | Treasurer Member for Kurrajong P: (02) 620 53692 | E: [email protected]

Page 4

Message of congratulations for the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre

It is with great enthusiasm that I congratulate Canberra’s Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre on 30 terrific years of service to the Canberra community. Founded in 1987, the HTCC started with just a few members and has grown over the years to a membership of four hundred families.

In addition to all major sects of Hinduism being recognised and welcome to worship at the HTCC, regular language, scripture and yoga classes are also offered to the community.

I have deep respect for Hindu values and the good citizenship that comes from these values. The Canberra Liberals have a strong connection to Canberra’s Hindu community and we look forward to continuing to build on this relationship.

Congratulations to the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre on 30 years enriching the Canberra community.

Sincerely,

Alistair Coe MLA Leader of the Canberra Liberals

Page 5 Page 6 Message from the President of the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre of the ACT

Dear Brothers, Sisters and Young ones, Saadar Pranaam,

At the last Annual General Meeting of the members of Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre of ACT Inc. (HTCC), in consultation with the Committee we announced that the 30th anniversary of the formation of HTCC as an organization will be commemorated this year.

As the year drew to a close, the Committee agreed to invite all the past presidents and all those members who had come together and conceived the idea of HTCC to determine the mode and ways of marking this event. Those present agreed unanimously that the celebrations be held to coincide with the anniversary of previous major events such as Bhoomi Poojan and Prana Prathistha Ceremonies. Events incorporating key elements of our activities were to be featured.

Now that the celebrations are well under way, I take the opportunity to greet all members and many more devotees who make HTCC’s congregation. The 45-day event guarantees that every member and constituent bodies which form HTCC have an opportunity to be part of the educational, cultural or spiritual performances.

I am pleased to say that as events unfold, it has become clearer that we are succeeding in our vision. Those who have not been able to do so as yet we invite you to join the celebrations.

I also take the opportunity to appraise the membership and devotees of the goals that the founders had envisaged and set.

I am particularly happy to welcome the dozens of new families and the younger generation who are attending our religious and cultural functions on a regular basis.

We are on our way to commencing construction of our much awaited project: The Shantiniketan. We thank the ACT Government for accepting our proposal to build this multi-functional hall and we commence work as we speak.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank every member, friends and family and those many devotees, intending members for their enduring support, financial, moral and physical to advance the course of HTCC. We remain indebted to you.

Dhanyavaad

Muneshwar Sahadeo President, HTCC

Page 7 Our Proud Sponsors Santosh and Alka Gupta Sanjay and Meenu Sharma Hindu Council of Australia Aashi, Abhay, Bhumika and Dr Akshay Jewel of India Mishra family, Brisbane Mansa Consulting Pty Ltd Divisha and Gaurav Sharma Pramukh Pest & Weed Control Kamla and Radha Krishan Sharma Smart Garden family Accutax Income Tax Services Sanjay Pandey- Wonder Web Works. Shreeji Caterers Vaneet and Pooja Grover - Take the Cake, Gungahlin With Best Compliments From Ankit Patel, Tikka Take, Canberra Himanshu Sharma & Raju Khiani - Prof. Nihal Agar and family, Sydney Aussie Home Loans, Gungahlin Prof. Raghbendra Jha and family Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Canberra Mataji, Vijay and Lalita Gokarn family Chapter Dr Asha Gupta and family , Sydney Krishna Nadmpalli and Canberra Hindu Prakash and Pragna Mehta Mandir Vaani, Niti and Jatin Dave , Melbourne Gujarat Samaj of ACT Kanti and Jyoti Jinna Radio Manpasand FM 91.1 Dr Ravi and Beena Vaikyl Praful and Meenakshi Sharma Basu, Neena, Nisha & Vivek Banka Abhinav Sharma Subhash and Sneh Dang Shankerlal Trivedi and family, Sydney Dr Himanshu and Mita Pota Jayantibhai Mehta and family, New Vijay and Indu Arora Zealand

Page 8 Editorial

It is with great pleasure that we present to you this souvenir as the 30th anniversary commemorative edition of Shanti. We thank you for taking time to read this special edition put together by many volunteers with great effort.

This souvenir has been prepared with two aims. The first aim is to encourage the Hindu community of Canberra to participate in diverse activities of the HTCC. We are a strong Hindu spiritual and educational centre, we cater for diverse social and cultural needs of our members, and we help the Hindu community with all the rituals. We provide space for celebrations – both community and private – and if required we provide support services too. The HTCC is owned and managed by the community and so every member of the community should feel perfectly comfortable in using all the available HTCC services. We have tried to cover a breadth of HTCC activities in this souvenir so that the community can get an idea of our diversity and encourage them to be a part of the community.

The second aim of this souvenir is to encourage members to actively participate in the management of the HTCC. The work that goes behind running this organization is enormous and it is not possible for some five to ten members to shoulder the load and do a good job as our community deserves. There are many roles of responsibility for functions and events. One of the easiest things to do is suggest a celebration and organize it with the support of the committee. This will give an idea of what work each function or celebration requires and then you can take responsibility of a small fraction of the work you like in the events at the Temple. As they say – many hands make work light.

You may like to share your expertise by educating other members or the ACT community. No matter what your idea is, please come forward and explore how you can help with managing this organization. Some names have been mentioned with some activities in the souvenir. The intention behind mentioning the names is not to single out members for giving credit. We all know that every successful activity is a result of many members putting in a lot of time and efforts to make it successful. A name is a representative all of the dedicated volunteers who made something happen. We have also included names of past presidents and secretaries. Here again the intention is not to give credit to just those people, the hope is that these names will provide a link in our memory to all the wonderful activities that happened during that year. No committee can work without support from the community and please keep in mind that the names are listed as representatives of the community and not to give credit to one and not to another.

In trying to recollect things that happened in the last thirty years, it is natural that some things have been forgotten or things have been missed. Our humble apologies for any such gaps.

सन्तोषः परमो लाभः सत्सङ्गः परमा गततः । विचारः परमं ज्ञानं क्षमे परमं सखु म ्॥ Happiness is the highest gain, noble company is the highest achievement. Questioning is the highest knowledge, forgiveness is the highest enjoyment.

Thanks to Tarun Agasti ji, Srinivas Immidi ji, Harmander Singh ji, Prakash Mehta ji, Kanti Jinna ji, Partap Khanna ji and Himanshu Pota ji to be a part of this souvenir team. Our sincere thanks to all the sponsors and well wishers who generously supported this holy souvenir. Thanks to Prinstant for their professional printing work. Many thanks to Acharya Prakash Pandeyji and all the devotees, participants who were able to join us during the 30th anniversary celebration. Many thanks for your time in reading this souvenir.

We hope it will bring back some good memories for you. Page 9

Our Resident Priests – Dr Shailesh Diwedi & Shri Acharya Prakash Pandey

In April 1999 when Swami Chidanandaji community in Canberra. Shri Pandey is still Maharaj performed the prāṇapratiṣṭhā he got an with us and winning hearts everyday with his assurance that the HTCC would appoint a priest dedication to serving the Hindu community. as soon as possible to look after the Deities. In Shri Pandey like his predecessor is a learned his unique loving manner Swami Chidanandaji pundit. He is learned in Sanskrit grammar, Maharaj made it clear that from the day of literature, and many Sanskrit texts. He provides prāṇapratiṣṭhā the Deities are not stone idols great support to our educational needs. but living entities. We fulfill our promise when Dr Shailesh Diwedi, our first priest, arrived in The Hindu community of Canberra certainly Canberra in August 2005. Dr Diwedi was needs a priest who can conduct the rituals with welcomed to Canberra as he occupied the precision, chant the mantras with correct house built for the resident priest on the HTCC pronunciations, and explain the significance of premises. the rituals. We have been very fortunate that we have got priests who can perform the basic As soon as Dr Diwedi took charge of the duties to perfection and in addition they have Temple, our organisation was completely been learned pundits and decent human beings transformed. A new energy arose in all our who have never ever shown any greed. Our activities and the Temple became a throbing scriptures prescribe us to be satisfied in every hub of Divine activities. It greatly helped that situation and it has been our great fortune that Dr Diwedi had put in all his energy behind both our priests have demonstrated this making the HTCC a strong organisation. teaching of our scriptures by being satisfied in all situations. Dr Diwedi taught Sanskrit and Hindi to many individuals on one-to-one basis and he was a The HTCC has had many lucky breaks and the teacher for Hindi classes held at the Temple. appointment of the priest has to be the luckiest The HTCC immensely benifited from Dr break of them all. It will not be out of place to Diwedi’s academic qualifications. Even Dr congratulate the Canberra Hindu community Diwedi’s family blended in with the role of a too for this lucky happening as they have priest’s wife. She also helped us when the shown immense respect to our priests which priest had multiple calls on his time. has been fortunately reciprocated in great measure. Let us hope this great culture of In 2013 we had a change of priest and Shri priests continues forever in the HTCC. Prakash Pandey joined the large Hindu

HTCC Three Decades Divine Journey

The Beginning

More than three decades ago some interested persons considered the idea of building a Hindu Mandir and Educational Centre in Canberra as a common place of worship of a number of manifestations of Divinity that originated in Bharat(India) and for having educational, spiritual and cultural activities for the community. Through their dedicated efforts and endeavors the Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre (HTCC) was formed in 1987. The association was formally incorporated in April 1988. In the subsequent years the association has been able to attract large membership.

Of the three stage project commenced in 1987, the first phase of the HTCC was to build a temple, educational centre and a library, a concept developed after considerable consultations and discussions. It was anticipated that our idea was unique to Australia and when completed would serve the needs of the residents Page 10 of the ACT and become an essential element on the itinerary of many worshippers and tourists to the National capital.

The completion of the first stage, the Temple and educational centre, was the initial physical reality of this institution, which has quickly become a meeting place of Hindus and all those interested in its teachings, and a Divine place for all its activities. The second stage provided the accommodation buildings for the presiding priests and visiting sages who will manifest their knowledge and teachings to all those who are interested to learn Hindu spiritual and cosmic values. The cultural, literary and artistic aspects of Hindu religion are Temple, spiritual educational centre and a library.

The final stage is underway and will comprise the construction and completion of the educational, cultural Centre and a public library to meet the growing needs of Australian Hindu community.

The Centre, through its enlightened members and noble sages provide a spiritual environment for the seekers of truth and purity, humility and courage, forgiveness, tolerance and compassion, universal brotherhood and love for all living beings.

The Centre is already providing and will continue to provide facilities for engagement in Hindu religious, educational and cultural activities including the practice of Yoga and meditation, study of Hindi, Sanskrit and other Indian languages. It includes study of Hindu Scriptures (Vedas, Upanishads, Gita and Ramayana) and contemplates on sacred religious texts and treatises, reflect on the lives of religious leaders and their followers, and strive for the achievement of higher values of life.

Our Objectives

Many Hindus and believers from various parts of the world have made Canberra their home. They share their beliefs and philosophy with generations of Australians who have studied and appreciated the Hindu way of life and culture.

This commonality of interest is enshrined in the following objectives of the HTCC: • To promote an understanding of the teachings, philosophy and culture of Hinduism; • To provide facilities to engage in Hindu religious, educational and cultural activities, including the practice of Yoga and meditation; • To foster religious harmony, mutual understanding and respect for religious views of others and promote universal brotherhood; • To provide moral and spiritual support to the needy; • To build, maintain and operate a Hindu temple, Educational and Cultural Centre, a public Library and other facilities to achieve the above objectives and purposes. In short, we strive to perform such tasks as may be necessary and conducive to the moral, spiritual, and cultural upliftment of the mankind.

Our Major Divine Events • December - Inaugural Puja: Late Shri G. Venkataraman performed the inaugural 1987 Puja at Griffin Centre, Canberra. • July to December - Inauguration: • December onwards: Regular puja on a Discussions and development of the concepts monthly basis conducted at the Belconnen and formulation of a Constitution. Town Centre Library. 1988 1989 • April - Incorporation: The adoption of the • April 13 – Income Tax exemption to Constitution and the incorporation of the donation awarded. Hindu Temple & Cultural Centre of the ACT • May 13 - Performed Hindu Blessing Inc. as a corporate body. Ceremony by performing a Havan for new • Membership drive and many food stalls were Australian Parliament House - Hon John organized.

Page 11 Langmore MP represented the Honourable • May 20 - Commencement of Construction: Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Formally the construction of the first stage • Many fund raising activities, including food the 'Temple' commenced. stalls and cultural programs were organised. • June 26 – Driveway Plan approved. • Oct – Raffle as special fund raising activity • August – regular monthly Havan on every as well as teaching Hindi to the official of third Sunday was started at homes of the Department of Foreign Affairs. devotees. • Language classes – Regular Hindi and 1994 Sanskrit classes at homes. • Brickwork started in May and significant • Yoga – a yoga group was formed and the part of the building was completed. classes were held at Griffin Centre. • Musical Evening at Erindale Theatre as • Ganapati’s Idol made of terracotta clay cultural and fund raising activity. received. • Other fundraising activities – screening of • Late Erica Arlt painted a huge painting of films at Coomb’s theater ANU, special pooja Laxami for the Temple. by Mr Venktaraman, food stalls. 1990 1995 • Library – one thousand books for library • August 1 – Partial certificate of occupancy procured. granted. • July - Shanti – our Newsletter was started. • August 6 - A special shrine consecration was • Oct – musical evening by artists from performed by Late Mr Venktaraman with the Sydney as special fund raising activity, in Ganapati deity of clay and paintings of addition to food stalls. different divines by Mrs Erica Arlt. 1991 • List of deities to be installed was prepared. • March 11 - Acquisition of Land: The • Deities of Hanumanji and of Shivlingam Department of Planning allocated land with Nandi were ordered in Jaipur. measuring 4517 square metres on lease for 99 years at the subsidised cost of $26,900. 1996 The block (Block 1, Section 165) is at the • March 3 – another Deity of Ganapatiji was corner of Ratcliffe Crescent and Connah received from the director of National Street, Florey. Gallery which was then installed with Pran • March 17 - Bhumi Pujan at the Temple site: Pratistha ceremony in the temple hall. Pandit Shiva Prasad Bhatt from Sydney • First Puja at the Temple performed the pooja. • Food stalls – Jan, Feb. March – fund raising 1992 activity • March – dance and drama by Ms Padma • Feb, March –screening of film – Raffle draw Menon and her group – a special fund as fund raising activity raising activity 1997 • August – preliminary approval of Temple • First deities of Hanuman ji and of building sketches. Shivlingam with Nandi arrived at the temple. • Oct – Raffle as special fund raising activity. • Tiling in the kitchen area was completed. 1993 • Many trees were planted including • February 9 – Approval of Building plan: Casurinas. Garden beds were laid and roses These included architectural structural floor, were planted. elevations, landscaping, storm water and • Raffle and many food stalls were organized services. for as fund raising activity. • March 4 – Final approval received from 1998 ACT Building Control. • The main shrine area was reinforced. Tilling • March 7-: Foundation laying ceremony by on the side shrine was completed Chief Minister of the ACT, Ms Rosemary • Other deities, Lord Vishnu,Lord Krishan and Follett, Dr Pranav Pandya of Shanti Kunj Radha Durga Mata ; Lord Ram, Lakshmana performed the function with Divine and Sita arrived and were installed at blessings. different places on the main and side shrines. • Fencing of the Temple premises completed.

Page 12 • Curtains in the shrine area were prepared. • Aging grant $ 42000 received for conducting New carpet was laid in the main hall of the various Health improvement programs for Temple. seniors. 1999 • Chandi Yagnya Sat 13 Oct- Sat 20 Oct • Deities of Lord Shiva and Parvati installed. First time in Australian History during • April 18 - Pran Pratishta : Consecration Navartari 100 families took part to perform Ceremony by HH Sri Swami Chidanandji, 100 times Chandi Yagnya. On that occasion International President the Divine Life a Kalash Yatra tool place. 108 sets of Society. Kalash, Sari and Khesh brough from India • Roster established to daily pooja. and 108 families took part in the procession 2000 -2001 from Lake Ginninderra to Temple. • Mortgage (Bank loan) paid off. • Ramayan Sammelan Sun 24 Feb 2008. First • Regular Yoga class started on every time at HTCC Ramayan Sammelan held . It Thursday evening from 6.30 to 7.30 pm was whole day event started at 9.00 am and • Shikhar Contract awarded finished at 5.30 Pm. Total 10 Ramayana • Installation of Bhagwan Budha Deity Mandali took part from ACT and Sydney. 2001-2002 • Multi-faith - HTCC hosted a multi‐faith • Installation of Bhagwan Mahavir Deity forum at the Temple with Muslim, Buddhist, 2002 -2003 Christian, Jewish, and HTCC • Installation of Sri Sai Baba Deity representatives. 2003 -2004 2008 -2009 • Part time Priest Pdt Suresh ji appointed for • Shree Yantra Sadhana Sun 26 Oct - 151 doing evening pooja Monday to Friday. Silver Sri Yantra imported from India and a 2004- 2005 group Laxmi Pooja held. Total 108 Devotees • Priest Residence construction completed. took part. Sri Yantra was given devotees to keep at their home. • Concrete path way constructed from Priest

residence and car park to temple entrance • Open day held and surrounding community 2005 - 2006 invited. 4000 Flyers distribute din Belconnen area. About 800 people visited temple. An • Pran Pratishtha ceremony for Lord Muruga, introductory flyer prepared and printed for Valli, Deivanai was held on the 5 Oct 2005 giving information about HTCC and • First residential Priest Dr Shailesh Diwedi ji Hinduism. appointed for two years. • Shikhar project terminated as fabricator was 2006 -2007 not responding since 2005 and could not be • Regular Yoga class commenced at every contacted. Saturday • Kitchen renovation completed and various • Kriya Yoga class commenced every Sunday lockable cupboards have been installed to from5.00 Pm to 6.00PM allow proper and adequate storage of • Pran Pratishta of two new Murtis (Shiva and utensils, food grains, spices, disposables, etc. Parvati) was performed. • Electrical works- Additional lights installed • First time Girmit Diwas (Anniversary of at notice board. In the Temple shrine area arrival of Indian Nationals to Fiji) celebrated new type of flood lights which have long life at temple on 14 May. and less consumptions installed and • The HTCC website (www.htcc.org.au) was floodlights installed to illuminate parking launched by Punditji at the Diwali area during night celebration on 21 Oct 2006 • Shantiniketan -A concept plan has been 2007 -2008 prepared which includes, Hall, Library, • New sliding gate has been installed at Storage room and Change room and design entrance progressed. A separate account has been • A pergola installed by HTCC volunteers for opened. Shat Chandi yagya • Pundit ji’s PR- HTCC nominated residence • Disabled path installed at main entrance. priest Dr Shaielsh Diwedi for Permanent Residency. It was approved by Dept of Immigration. Subsequent to PR granted five

Page 13 years employment contract signed from • The Multi-purpose Room (MPR) constructed 1sept 2008 till 31 August 2013. this year to provide space for number of 2009-2010 activities. As part of this change, the toilets • The Navagraha Pran pratishtha ceremony have also been completely remodelled with was held at the Temple over three days, their access from outside the main temple • HTCC organised a Scientific Yoga Therapy and thus allowing devotees to go with shoes Camp from 6th to 14th March 2010, on. conducted by Dr. Deepak Sachdeva. • Two big lights have been installed in the 2010- 2011 temple parking area to improve the lighting • DA application for Shantineketan lodged when required and to improve security and which was rejected by ACTLPA seeking safety on dark nights. more details. 2013-14 • Overflow Car park -An agreement between • Appointment of HTCC's Priest - Pt Prakash ACTPLA and HTCC was signed on 2 Pandey ji HTCC`s new priest, was appointed August 2010 which allows HTCC temporary in September 2013 use of the land originally reserved for road • The Temple Hall carpet replaced development for overflow car park for 2015 -16 approximately 70 cars. • Priest Contract and visa was extended. 2011-12 • Car parking within the HTCC premises was • The ageing lights inside temple replaced and patched up to enhance safety of public. install the sensor flood lights outside the • 108 Kundi Yagya during Chaitri Navaratri Temple. • Architect appointed for design Shantinekatan • The Financial Spreadsheets were transferred 2016 -17 to MYOB during the year to make • Shantinekatan Development application accounting easy. lodged and DA has been approved by 2012-13 ACLPA • A video surveillance system has been • Carpet and furniture replaced at Priest installed within and outside of the temple. Residence This security system will help in deterring • 10 KW Solar panel installed for power any possible vandalism. generation. • Full occupancy certificate received

Our Major Divine Activities

In keeping with our aims and objectives, and in response to the religious and educational needs of our community, we organise many activities all-round the year.

Our Regular Activities are: Daily Worship is done thrice a day and the Temple is open every morning and evening for darshan and arati.

Monthly /Fortnightly Puja and bhajans The monthly puja is done on the first Sunday of every month, starting at 11am and Havan is conducted every third Sunday.

Once in month, Murugan Puja and devotional song ceremony is held at the temple. The ceremony is mainly attended by the Sri Lankan Tamil families. Ayyappa Pooja held at temple every month with devotional bhajans. The ceremony is mainly attended by Malayalee families.

Ramayan Recital by SSDR Mandali of the ACT at the Temple is held every second Friday.

Hanuman Chalisa - Every Tuesday evening Hanuman Chalisa recitation is done.

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Shiv Puja - Every Monday Shiv puja and abhishekam is done.

Navratri - The Navratri festival in September-October each year is celebrated by Pooja of Goddess Durga and the Garba dance every night for the nine nights.

Ramacharitmmnas Recitation Twice a year, during the nine holy nights (Navratri), Ramacharitmnas recitation meetings are organised.

Dasahara and Deepavali The festival of Dasahara is celebrated by performing Durga Pooja along with an enactment of short skits based on the life of Sri Ramachandra. Our young devotees take on the various parts, put on the decorative costumes and provide the audience with a glimpse of Ramlalila. The celebration ends with the traditional burning of effigy of Ravana.

The Festival of Light, Deepvali, is celebrated by a Lakshami puja. The puja is followed by bhajans and kirtans sung by various kindred Hindu organisations in the ACT. Children are entertained by the fire crackers.

Jannmasthami The birth of Sri Krishna is celebrated by enacting short skits based on the mischiefs of child-Krishna. Chanting from the song celestial (Bhagvadgita) is done to remind ourselves of the simple instructions imparted by Sri Krishna to Sri Arjuna, in a critical moment in Arjuna’s life. The function is concluded by the devotees sharing some of Krishna’s favourite sweets.

Other Major Hindu Festivals All major Hindu festivals such as Mahashivaratri, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jyanati, Holi, Guru Purnima, Ganesh Chaturthi, Mahavir Jyanti , Karva Chauth, etc., are celebrated with event specific Pooja, devotional bhajan singing and Prasad.

Religious Discourses Canberra is most fortunate to have many saints visit the place. Invariably HTCC extends an invitation to these holy men to give a discourse for the benefit of the devotees. We are proud to have received blessings from the saints of various Hindu sects--truly reflecting the Hindu tradition.

Cultural Programs Cultural Program Navrang is held annually which provides platform to new emerging artists to show their talents. We are inviting musicians for bhajan singing and organising classical Indian dance programs. On various occasions we have joined the ethnic community festivals and provided them with dances and such light entertainment items. Again we have been most fortunate that many proficient artists have donated their talents to our organisation with a view to making the Indian culture better known in Canberra.

Shanti & Broadcasts Shanti is our newsletter. The contents of this newsletter are diverse. Shanti reports the activities of HTCC; contains the dates of important Hindu festivals; financial accounts; reports on activities of interest, taking place in the ACT-NSW region, to our members. HTCC has started an effort to form a centre of Hindu activities in Canberra. Shanti has been supported by our weekly broadcasts with details of our forthcoming events and currently it is sent to over a thousand devotees via e-mail.

Educational Activities

The HTCC in collaboration with other kindred organisations is a centre for many educational activities.

Sanskrit Study Group

Page 15 A small study group has been meeting every week for many years. The group aims at acquiring enough familiarity with Sanskrit to be able to understand the Hindu Scriptures and to converse in Sanskrit. The study plan adopted by the group is flexible and interested persons can join anytime.

Sanskrit - Mondays Sanskrit classes are held each week on Mondays. Fresh students can join anytime. Rahul supplies all the material and works with the beginners to bring them to the level of other students. At the other end students with interest in Paninian grammar are also welcome; on alternate weeks we do Paninian grammar from the Ashtadhyayi. All welcome.

Sanskrit for Beginners- Tuesdays The advances Sanskrit classes at the Temple are progressing very well. Due to an increased demand we have started another group for beginners on Mondays from 7pm. You don't need any knowledge of Sanskrit but an ability to read the Devanagari script will help. Dr Himanshu Pota conducts the classes. All welcome.

Hindi Lessons Classes for learning Hindi have been conducted depending on the availability of the instructors and students. In the past, the Indian High commission has been kind enough to channel books to the HTCC, from the Hindi promotion agencies in India. We have around one thousand books in Hindi in our library.

English - Wednesdays Spoken English and elementary English class for new migrants have been conducted depend upon availability of students. This class is greatly benefited to new migrants, parents or long term visitors from India.

Library - Due to the generous donation by numerous devotees the library now has more than two thousand books. The collection includes all the four Vedas, multiple copies of Ramacharitmanas, excellent books on learning Sanskrit and Hindi, and books on Indian culture.

Yoga - Regular Yoga class held at every Saturday. Approx. 50 Participants have registered for this class.

Bhagavad Gita Study Group Study of the Bhagavad Gita as taught through commentaries (in English) by Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda offers the seeker a systematic exposure to Vedanta. These classes enable in-depth discussions and study as a means to assimilate, practice and internalise learnings. These classes are run free of charge by Chinmaya Mission Australia - Canberra Centre

Bal Vihar - Sundays The aim of Bala Vihar is to help children bloom and inculcate values through fun-filled activities. Classes help the child develop on a physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual level. Learning is imparted through chanting, bhajans, stories of devotion, interactive discussions, creative games, and arts and crafts. These classes are run free of charge by Chinmaya Mission Australia - Canberra Centre.

Hindu Education Camp HTCC in collaboration of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh- Canberra Chapter conducts education camp for children and youth during school holidays.

The activities at the camp are aimed at introduction and significance of Hindu value. Hindu Festivals and it significance, Hindu symbols, and traditions, time management skills, self-discipline, etc., physical activity sessions are aimed at increasing stamina, endurance, and an ability to work in a team. Participants also exposed to traditional Indian games, yoga, lectures and workshops along with other value-based programs.

Page 16 Fund Raising This is a major part of our present activities. We raise funds in many different ways but here we list only some of our main fund raising activities. Food Stalls Over the years members and devotees have been most generous in making donations in cash to our building fund. In addition, there are many devotees who have been making donations in kind at the food-stalls set by HTCC, during various community festivals in Canberra. Only vegetarian food is sold at these stalls and most of the raw material for the food is provided by the devotees. Presently our food-stalls enjoy wide popularity in the community festivals and we have been fortunate to have a team of volunteers who are willing to cook for these stalls. At times the weather is extreme but due to the dedication of our devotees this important fund raising activity continues providing much needed funds to the organisation.

Raffle In the past years we have organised four raffles. We were fortunate to have all attractive prizes as donations. The raffles have been a very good fund raisers for us.

Cultural Evenings We have organised several cultural evenings to raise funds.

Our Administration The day to day running of our organisation is done by an annually elected executive committee, consisting of a President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Public Officer, Temple Manager and several committee members. The executive committee meets regularly to discuss strategic and operational matters and minutes of the meetings are properly kept for record. Treasures make formal report on financial affairs available for inspection when required. Our funds are kept in the bank. Receipts for donation, other funds issued and bills are paid adhering to accounting procedures. There are two accounts one for the General fund and the second for the Hindu Educational Foundation Building Fund. The HEFBF is managed by a committee of five members to further the cause of Sanatan Vedic Dharma (Hindu religion) to disseminate spiritual knowledge, study of Hindu scriptures, teaching Indian languages to children and the wider Australian community. The audited financial report is circulated every year at the Annual General Meeting for inspection by the members.

Our Humble Request The HTCC would request all the members, devotees to live and work constantly towards the highest ideal set forth by the Saints and Seers of Truth for our own self unfoldment, harmony and peace. The Hindu Educational Foundation requests your good self to disseminate your spiritual knowledge and experience to seekers by associating with the educational and spiritual activities of the HTCC. The association appreciates highly and express gratitude to all the donors for their loving donations of funds, materials, labour, voluntary services, and Deities, and would request their continuous support.

Acknowledgement Many individual devotees, HTCC executive committees and various organisations have helped the HTCC to come to this point. We wish to record a debt of gratitude to all of them.

Our Salutations to HH Sri Swami Chidananda Maharaj whose grace was from the very inception of the project and His Holiness did the First Aarti and opened the Divya Mandir on 18 April 1999, HH Sri Swami Vimalananda ji, President the Divine Life Society, HH Sri Muniji – Parmarath Niketan, Mataji from Shaantikunj, Sri Swami Maheswarananda Avdhoot Ashram Haridwar and His Grace Dr Paulos Mar Gregories Inter-religious Federation for World peace; very sincere thanks to Dr Pranav Pandya, HH Sri Swami Satyamitrananda Giri Bharat Mata Mandir, Sri Chinmoy, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar from the Art of living, HH Sri Swami Damodarananda ji, HH Sri Swami Shridharanandaji Rama Krishna Mission, HH Sri Ishwar Puri ji Jaganath Mandir Vrindavan, Gopeshwari Devi, Doctor Swami from BAPS, Swami Sampoornanandaji of Sri Chinmay Mission, and many other saints who were able to visit and grace us at the HTCC.

Page 17 Our grateful thanks to Smt Ranji and Sri N Manoharan for designing and building the first stage of the project, also other builders, tradesman for their ongoing support and help. Thanks to Sri Shibu Dutta ji for the initial architectural design work.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Indian High Commission in various ways and ACT government for their continuous help and support.

Year President Secretary

1987-88 Subhash Jalota Partap Khanna

1988-89 Subhash Jalota Radha K. Sharma

1989-90 Partap Khanna Radha K. Sharma

1990-91 Kanti Jinna Subhash Jalota

1991-92 Kanti Jinna Radha K. Sharma

1992-93 Radha K. Sharma Vijay Arora

1993-94 Partap Khanna V. Kumar Jayanthi

1994-95 Himanshu Pota V. Kumar Jayanthi

1995-96 Ramesh Malik Himanshu Pota

1996-97 Muneshwar Sahadeo Sunil Gupta

1997-98 Subhash Jalota Partap Khanna

1998-99 Subhash Jalota Partap Khanna

1999-00 Ramesh Malik Rakesh Jain

2000-01 Ramesh Malik Rakesh Jain

2001-02 Vijay Arora Ranjit Singh

2002-03 Bhushan Sardana Ranjit Singh

2003-04 Kanti Jinna Malti Jain

2004-05 Kanti Jinna Malti Jain

2005-06 K G Gaind Madhu Kalia

2006-07 Krishnakumar Shankar Akilesh Kumar

2007-08 Prakash Mehta Himanshu R Pota

2008-09 Prakash Mehta Himanshu R Pota

2009-10 Ashok Kumar Lakhan Sharma

2010-11 Lalji Singh Rahul Tejani

2011-12 Subhash Dang Vishnu Sharma

2012-13 Subhash Dang Tushar Gupta

Page 18 2013-14 Sanjay Sharma/Bhagwati Khannah Heramb Bal

2014-15 Manju Bhardwaj Heramb Bal

2015-16 Muneshwar Sahadeo Himanshu Pota

2016-17 Muneshwar Sahadeo Beena Vaikyl

Page 19 ॐ श्रीगणेशाय नमः॥ The Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration Saturday 25 March 2017 – Sunday 14 May 2017

To celebrate HTCC 30th anniversary, a number of divine activities are being conducted to share Hindu values and traditions by way of various rituals, spiritual, educational and cultural programs and a focus on Japa Yoga for the various manifestations of Divinity enshrined in the Divya Mandir - HTCC. It is to educate and bring more community awareness about Hinduism and for our own self unfoldment. The divine program consists of Navratri Pooja, Chandi Yagna, Japa Yoga, Walking on Fire ( Maha Mariamman Pooja), Ramayana chanting and Sammelan, Girimit Day, Sunderkand Path, Sai Bhajan Sandhya, Srimad Bhagwat Saptah, Hanuman Jayanti, Sri Mahavir Jayanti, Divya Mandir Pran Pritishtha (Consecration) 18th anniversary, Yoga Day, Hindu Education camp for children, etc. The Revered Acharayas from Shantikunj, Haridwar; Aayppa Samajam and Triveni mission participated and graced the occasion.

We thank all the devotees who have participated in this divine celebration. We especially thank Punditji Acharya Prakash Pandey for leading in the divine activities.

Japa Yoga – Shri Tarun Agasti

Japa Yoga is an important and easy way of self-unfoldment in Kaliyuga. Daily collective chanting by devotees of various Mantras for specific deities has been an integral part of the program. Mantra is a divine sound reverberating in each and everything in this universe. It is easy to experience God by repeating the mantra. Bhagwan Sri Krishna ji says in Holy Gita “yagyanaam japa yagyah asmi”. The great saint Parma Pujya Tukaram ji said “With the name of God on your lips, the bliss of liberation is right in your hand”.

Likhita Japa Yoga

Devotees were requested to write one or more of the Mantra / any Mantra of their choice in their divine homes at their leisure. One hundred twenty five thousand + Likhit Mantras have been targeted to be put in the capsule in the foundation of the new divine building – Shantiniketan.

Following Mantra have been compiled for various manifestations of Divinity enshrined in the Divya Mandir- HTCC.

• Om Sri Ganeshaaya Namah, Om Sri Saraswatyai Namah, Om Namo Naraayanaya, Om Namah Sivaaya • Om Sri Raamaaya Namah, Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaaya, Om Sri Hanumateh Namah, Om Sri Ayappa Swamine Namah • Namah Om Sri Guruve Namah, Om Sri Durgai Namah, Om Sri Mahaviraaya Namah, Buddham Sarnam Gacchaami • Gaytri Mantra - Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Svitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat Paalani Muruga Vel Muruga, Sharanam Sharnam Vel Muruga, Maha Mantra – Hare Raam Hare Raam Raam Raam Raam Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Page 20 • Navagrah Mantra- Brahmaa Muraaris-Tripurantakaari, Bhaanuh Shashi Bhuumisuto Budhas-ch Gurush- cha Shukrah Shani-Rahu- Ketvah, Sarve Graha Shantikara Bhavnatu

We thank Shri Tarun Agasti for leading the Japa yoga activity. We also thank all the devotees who did the written Japa.

HINDU EDUCATION CAMP AT HTCC – Shri Santosh Gupta

In modern world especially when we are out of India, it is becoming our duty to pass on the Indian values and culture to our children. Keeping this in mind, the HTCC in association with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) has been organising the Education Camps for the children from 7 to 15 years of age during the ACT school holidays since April 2006.

This has been a very successful educational activity over the years and children who were attending in early years are now participating as instructors and thus HTCC is successfully transferring our values to new generation.The activities at the camp included topics on Hinduism, Yoga, classical Indian dances and dramas, Indian sports, etc. This is has been possible with the help of several volunteers who come and conduct and organise different activities as per the schedule prepared in advance.

Some people volunteer to do the cooking and prepare morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for the children

Navaratri Celebration at HTCC – Shri Prakash Mehta

The Navratri Garba and Dandia Raas Festival is a vibrant, colourful and exciting time for the Gujarati and Indian Community around the world. The Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) takes great pride in being able to share India’s cultural heritage with Australians through this festival. In Canberra since 1999 at HTCC this function is being celebrated each year at all the nine nights with offering worship, singing devotional songs, and dancing in joy to get the blessing of the Mother Goddess Amba.

Page 21 These garba dances represent Gujarati folk dances, performed on traditional Gujarati folk music, enjoyed not only by the Gujarati community but by the wider community from the Indian sub-continent as well as the Australian community. The word Garba comes from the Sanskrit word for womb and so implies gestation or pregnancy - life. Traditionally, the dance is performed around Goddess Durga the feminine form of divinity. Garba is performed in a circle as a symbol of the Hindu view of time. The rings of dancers revolve in cycles, as time is cyclical. As the cycle of time revolves, from birth, to life, to death and again to rebirth, the only thing that is constant is the Goddess, that one unmoving symbol in the midst of all of this unending and infinite movement. The dance symbolises that God, represented in feminine form in this case, is the only thing that remains unchanging in a constantly changing universe.

Daily celebrations at HTCC includes initial Pooja, singing special devotional songs in Mother’s praise, garba and dandia dancing (dance with 2 sticks) on On Astami day many families simultaneously performed 108 Kundi Havan of Goddess Durga. On ninth day, Kanya poojan ceremony takes place, in which young girls under the age of 8 participate.

An average of 200 people attends on weeknights and around 400 persons on the weekends in the traditional Indian colourful costumes with special attendance by many community leaders as well as ACT state leaders and representatives from High commission of India, Fiji, Mauritius, Nepal etc. Navaratri celebration concludes with Vijaydasmi celebration to mark victory of Lord Rama on demon Ravan.

Page 22 Maha Mariamman Pooja (Fire Walking Ceremony) - Shri Muneshwar Sahadeo

The Maha Mariamman Pooja, which culminates with devotees walking on hot embers, is part of a sacred Hindu ritual involving physical ordeals practiced in Southern part of India and in countries where residents from Southern India have settled. In Fiji, this is practiced in most districts and in recent years with the migration of a sizable number of Indo Fijians to Australia the ritual has been conducted in Sydney and other centers on a regular basis It was felt that it would be ideal to have this Pooja in Canberra immediately after Shri Ram Navami Mahotsav as an integral part of our 30th Anniversary celebrations of the HTCC. Following consultations with a group from Sydney, who agreed to perform this Pooja, members of mainly Indo Fijian Community in Canberra were approached for assistance. With their blessing and unconditional pledge of support the Committee felt assured of the success and gave its concurrence. First, local authorities were approached for permission to host such an event, e.g. lighting of fire, noise restrictions applicable in a residential area. Residents close to the Temple were advised of both these by way of leaflet drops in letter boxes. Firewood, some ten tons of it was purchased, a temporary Temple of corrugated iron and timber was erected and ingredients for the Pooja, not available locally were obtained within a very quick timeframe to facilitate the event. The Pujaris arrived on 4th April and worked day and night decorating and preparing the Temple and the surrounds for the daily Pooja, digging the Kundam by hand and preparing the site for the main event. The Moorti of Lord Ganeshji and Mother Mariamman and Draupatiji were installed after an “Agni Pravesh Pooja” conducted by Swami Suresh Battar. The fire was lit on Friday night with prayers. The Pooja involved a lot of decorum and pageantry which was an attraction in itself. There was drama and dance based on the Mahabharata known as Terra Kuttu were performed to appeal to local taste. When all the associated rituals were complete, the lead Pujaris commenced the main event by taking a slow walk over 11 meters of embers. They were followed by several other participants. Members of the Canberra community who saw Fire Walking for the first time were impressed and amazed at the amount of religious and sacred rituals that accompanied the event Meals were prepared for everyone from the 4th till the 8th with Maha Prasadam on Saturday 8th and Shanti path day on Sunday 9th. Devotees and those who could not attend have made a call for the Ceremony to be held again next year. Shanti Path took place the following day on a very rainy day with a heavy down pour. It was amazing to see that the Kundum was still steaming as the burning embers cooled down. The HTCC is grateful to the so many groups and individuals that got together to make the Fire Walking Ceremony possible.

Shrimad Bhagvat Puran – Shri Jagdish Trivedi Lord Narayana taught Shrimad Bhagwatam to Brahma Ji, who taught the same to his son Narada Muni, who passed it on to Ved Vyasa. Ved Vyasa expanded Chatushloki Bhagwat into 12 Skandhas, 332 Adhyaya and 18,000 Shlokas. Ved Vyasa taught Shrimad Bhagvatam to his son Shukdev Ji, who narrated to King Parikhshit, who was cursed by Shringi that he will die in seven days by the sting of the most dangerous snake Takshak. Sutji was present in this Katha when it was being narrated by Shukdevji to Parikshit and he narrated the same Katha to a congregation of 88,000 Sanjaysis lead by Shaunak Muni in Naimisharanya. Shrimad Bhagavatam describes devotion by Prahlad, Gajendra, Dhruva, Bali, Uddhava, Vidura, Maitreya, Parikshit, Priyavrata, Akrura, Ajamila and others.

Page 23 The Bhāgavat is one of Hinduism's eighteen great Puranas. Composed by Maharshi Ved Vyas in Sanskrit and available in almost all Indian languages, it promotes bhakti (devotion) to Krishna integrating themes from the Advaita (monism) philosophy of Adi Shankara. The Bhagavata Purana, like other puranas, discusses a wide range of topics including cosmology, genealogy, geography, mythology, legend, music, dance, yoga and culture. The Bhagwata tenth Skandh, with about 4,000 Shlokas, has been the most popular and widely studied. It was the first Purana to be translated into a European language. The Srimad Bhagavatam is the very essence of all the Vedanta literature. One who has enjoyed the nectar of its rasa never has any desire for anything else. Bhagavata Purana is significant in its inclusion of homage and many chapters of legends about the Tirthankaras of Jainism, particularly Rishabhadeva, while homage to Buddha is included in various chapters by declaring him as one of avatars of Vishnu. The Bhagavata Purana is also significant in asserting that Yoga practice is a form of Bhakti. The Bhagavata is primarily a bhakti text, with an emphasis on achieving moksha through cultivating a personal relationship with Lord Krishna. The philosophy of the Bhagavata also includes Samkhya, Yoga, Vedanta, and Advaita Vedanta.

The Bhagavata is among the most important texts on bhakti, presenting a fully developed teaching on bhakti that originated with the Bhagavad Gita. Bhakti is presented as a path of yoga, or "union with the divine". Many of the bhakti teachings in the Bhagavata are presented as yogic activities—meditating on the Lila of Krishna; hearing and singing about Vishnu as Krishna; remembering, serving, and worshiping him; dedicating all of one's actions to him. While classical yoga attempts to shut down the mind and senses, the Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavata teaches that the focus of the mind is transformed by filling the mind with thoughts of Krishna. Samkhya taught by Kapila in the Bhagavata is the dominant philosophy in the text. In the Bhagavata, Kapila is described as an avatar of Vishnu, born into the house of Kardama in order to share the knowledge of self- realization and liberation. Kapila's Samkhya is taught by him to his mother Devahuti. In Tenth Skandha, true love between Gopis and Krishna and Krishna’s Bal Lila has been explained and love with Bhakti as supreme devotion and surrender by Radha for Krishna has been expressed. The philosophy of the Bhagavata is a mixture of Vedanta terminology, Samkhyan metaphysics and devotionalized Yoga. Shrimad Bhagwatam describes Krishna as the highest absolute personal aspect of godhead – the personality behind the term Ishvara and the ultimate aspect of Brahman. Page 24 Hindu Educational Foundation

संकृ तपठनम-् Dr Himanshu Pota अस्माकं समिायः हिन्दमु न्न्दरसस्ं कृ ततके न्रम ्इतत आख्यातः अन्स्त। अस्माकं पूजाकममन्ि प्रयु啍ाः सिे मन््ाः सस्ं कृ तभाषायाम ्एि सन्न्त। पूजाकममतभः सि नैकाः स्तुतयः श्लोकाः च उच्चायमन्ते ते अवप सस्ं कृ तभाषायाम ् एि सन्न्त। पूजाकममिां स्तुतीनां श्लोकानाम ् च आनन्दः अ쥍पेन अवप संस्कृतज्ञानेन अनुभवितुं शक्यते। तस्मात ् ियं मन्यामिै संस्कृतभाषा तशक्षिीया इतत। अपरं च हिन्दसु स्ं कृ त्याः आधारः शास्त्रेषु अन्स्त। शास्त्रान्ि सस्ं कृ तभाषायाम ् एि सन्न्त। तुलसीदासेन विरतचतः रामचररतमानसग्रन्थः केचन अन्याः ग्रन्थाः च अपिाद셂पेि सन्न्त हकन्तु प्राधान्यतः शास्त्रान्ि सस्ं कृ तभाषायाम ् एि सन्न्त। हिन्दसु स्ं कृ त्याः सम्यग ् ज्ञानं सस्ं कृ तम ्विना न सम्भितत। अनेकेषां शास्त्रािाम ् अनुिादः आङ््लभाषायाम ् अथिा नूतनभारतीयभाषायां प्राप्ुं शक्यते। हकन्तु अनुिादेन भारतीयज्ञानस्य या वितशता अन्स्त सा अनुभवितुं न शक्यते। प्रथमे तु मन््रारः ऋषयः शास्त्रािां रचनाम ्अकु िनम ।् याित ् अनुिादकः अवप मन््रा न अन्स्त ताित ् सम्यग ् अनुिादः न सम्भिः। ततः परं भारतीयज्ञानस्य एकः वितशः पररिेषः अन्स्त। तस्य पररिेषस्य ज्ञानं संस्कृतभाषां विना न सम्भिः। शास्त्रान्ि भगितः दशमनस्य साधनातन सन्न्त। येन भगितः दशमनं कृ तम ्सः एि अन्यान ् भगितः दशमनं कारतयतुं शक्यते। मन््रारः ऋषयः न केिलेन श녍दाथममाध्यमेन ज्ञानं ददतत ते श녍दध्ितनमाध्यमेन अवप अज्ञानस्य विनाशं ईिन्ते तस्मात ् ऋषीिां पूिं ज्ञानं संस्कृतं विना न सम्भिः। एतैः कारिैः ियं हिन्दमु न्न्दरसस्ं कृ तके न्रे संस्कृतपाठनं कुममः। प्रायः १९८९तमात ् िषातम ् केन्रे संस्कृतपठनं भितत। इदानीम ् अवप प्रततसप्ािे द्वौ िगौ प्रचतलतः। िगमयोः सिेषां स्िागतः अन्स्त। यहद भिान ् अ쥍पात ् अ쥍पमवप संस्कृतं जानातत अथिा संस्कृततशक्षिे 셁तचः अन्स्त तहिम ियं भितः सािाय्यं कररष्यामः। कृपया संस्कृतं तशक्षतां मिान्तम ्आनन्दम ्अवप अनुभितु।

Sanskrit language learning – Shri Rahul Vedi

HTCC has fostered a conducive platform for the learning of the ancient language Sanskrit. From the earliest times, many of the members of HTCC have endeavoured to learn and teach Sanskrit. Regular weekly classes are being conducted for spoken as well as reading Sanskrit. In Page 25 recent years, there is also a dedicated class for learning of grammar. There are a number of HTCC members who attend these weekly classes and are making remarkable progress. From time to time, these students have demonstrated their skills in the language by participating in stage activities (songs , Drama etc) at various HTCC functions.

Chinmaya Mission Spiritual and Hindu Educational activities at the HTCC – S. Prashaanthi

Chinmaya Mission® was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and across its borders. In Canberra, Australia we conduct the following activities at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre, which are open to all members of society and the classes are conveyed in English: 1. Chinmaya Study group involves five to fifteen people who meet at a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) on Fridays, for about ninety minutes each week. The focus of the Study Group is ‘shastra-chintan-pradhan’ i.e. the emphasis is on the study and logical reflection on the teachings of the scriptures. The aim is to gain Self- knowledge. To explain the importance of constant reflection, Swami Chinmayananda gave the example of a cup of coffee with a spoon of sugar at the bottom. Until and unless the sugar is stirred, the coffee remains bitter. Similarly, knowledge is only absorbed when it is properly stirred by the intellect. The role of the Study Group is to stir knowledge so that its sweetness becomes one with the personality. Members of the group support each other by sharing their study, knowledge, reflections and experiences of personal application. There are no particular requirements for joining a study group. All one needs is a desire for gaining Vedantic knowledge, and a certain commitment to be regular and sincere. 2. Balavihar is a weekly gathering of children, between the ages of five to fifteen years that takes place in Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre (HTCC) on Sundays, during the school term. The aim of Bala Vihar is to help children bloom, grow, and inculcate values through fun-filled activities. Balavihar enhances the overall development of the personality of a child at all levels — physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.

Mission statement: “To help children learn values with fun, to delight like the moon and shine like the sun.”

Page 26

Page 27 Mudrakar Kathak Dance School – Ira Patkar

Mudrakar was established in 2015 by Ira Patkar. Ira has been performing the classical and semi- classical form of Kathak for past 10 years in Canberra and 20 years before that in India. For the past 3 years through mudrakar, Ira has been sharing the art and form of Kathak with dance and music enthusiast; encouraging young and old to express through emotions and instilling confidence through performances around the year. At Mudrakar, it is believed that anyone can learn Kathak, hence the classes are open from age 5 to 65 years and no previous experience is needed. In this school, students learn fundamentals of Kathak are taught per Gandharva University syllabus. The students have trained in Bollywood semi-classical songs and perform in several shows throughout the year. New batches run at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre of the ACT in Florey.

Ira is an accomplished Indian dancer and choreographer in the Kathak tradition. Ira started to learn Kathak from age 6 with her Guru Dr Rajkumar Ketkar. Ira studied dance through the tertiary level and was awarded her Degree (Kathak Visharad) from Gandharva University, India. Ira has a direct lineage to Kathak Guru Padmashree Gopikrishna Ji who was one of the finest exponents of the Kathak art and Bollywood choreographer. Ira has won many accolades including the Mumbai University Best Actor medal in 2001 and Maharashtra state level award in 1997 for her acting.

Also from 2001 to 2007, by profession, Ira worked as a television news reader on TV and also played hosts for dancing/ singing based annual shows of regional government bodies. Nowadays Ira often works as a Radio Jockey on 91.1 FM Radio Manpasand, Canberra. For more information and updates on Mudrakar Kathak Dance School Facebook page & website www.mudrakar.com

Page 28 Yoga practice and tradition in HTCC – Shri Vijay Arora

Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of the ACT has followed traditional Yoga practice by providing regular sessions every week and updated its style of delivery to the members and the Canberra community based on their needs and interest.

Leg stretching in the weekly Yoga session

Weekly classes are attended by about 50 people on regular basis. These classes are meant for people of all ages young and old to practice at their own pace with the teachers.

Seniors doing ‘athi kuti’ asana

Our Yoga sessions work at very individual levels to improve and benefit from this age old practice to improve breathing, spirituality, body mind connection, looking after the joints, muscular system and mental health.

The traditional Yoga class undertakes following asanas followed by pranayamas: • Warming up to ensure that our body is ready to take stretches • Lying down – Jhula asana, vakar asana, gau mukh asana and more • Suryanamaskar eight times – to energize our body from the sun energy • Kandha asana, shoulder stand, Halla asana followed by bridge asana • Pachimnauta, Janu Ser, Ushtra (camel) asana and matasyndra • Bhujan and Salbha asanas with many variations • Vajra asnas, nauka and pavan mukta asanas • Tar asna, athikuti, virksh, veer and three cone asanas

This then gets followed by Paranayamas , teacher leads people to rest and then undertake kapalbhati, Alom Vilom, Brahmari and then end up with shava asana.

HTCC will like to hear from you on how you can help, benefit and spread the ‘yoga in daily life’ in the community. If you are interested send your email to [email protected].

Page 29

Children Yoga class undertaking ‘alom vilom’ paranayama

HTCC children Yoga had been highly attended and appreciated by the children and parents to give them exposure to the ancient tradition and appreciate undertaking Yoga on regular basis in their daily life. From time to time HTCC has invited number of speakers from different Organisations to educate the HTCC members and Canberra community on the ongoing changes and development back Home and in Australia. HTCC organized an Open Yoga day opened by His Highness High Commissioner of India Dr AM Gondane followed by talk and practical session Medical Yoga by Dr Deepak Sachdeva and many more local teachers. From time to time HTCC members and Canberra community has joined in to attend these sessions.

Session by Dr Sachdeva on Medical Yoga HTCC takes pride in joining with Indian High Commission and other oragnisations like Yoga Australia, GOPIO, Art of Living, Kriya Yoga, Sahaja Yoga and Brahmkumaris internally in the HTCC premises and externally in Canberra to spread and integrate Yoga in the community life.

Page 30 Dharma - Acharya Prakash Chandra Pandey (आचायय प्रकाश चन्द्र पा赍डेय)

धमम श녍द की 핍युत्पवि: अन्य सम्पवियां तो शरीर के साथ िी न िो धमम श녍द संस्कृत 핍याकरि के 'धृ' धातु से जाती िैं। उत्पन्न िुआ िै न्जसका अथम िै 'धारि करना' (४) सत्येन रक्ष्यते धमो विद्या योगेन रक्ष्यते 'पक蔼 कर रखना' 'बना कर रखना'। संस्कृत मृजया रक्ष्यते 셂पं कुलं िृिेन िा敍मय तथा दशमनⴂ के अनुसार धमम मानिीय रक्ष्यते॥मिाभारत उद्योगः जीिन का केन्र वबन्द ु िै तथा धमम के दाशमतनकⴂ, सत्य से धमम की रक्षा िोती िै, योग से विद्या स्मृततकारⴂ, भाष्यकारⴂ तथा िेदान्न्तयⴂ के की अनुसार वितभन्न अथम बतलाये िैं। स्िच्छता से स㄂दयम की तथा सदाचार से कुल (१) मनुस्मृतत के अनुसार धमम के दस लक्षि की रक्षा िोती िै। बताये गये िैं। (५) सिेषु भूतेषु दया हि धममः। धृतत क्षमा दमोऽस्तेयं शौचतमन्न्रयतनग्रि: । सब प्रान्ियⴂ पर दया करना िी धमम िै। धीविमद्या सत्यमक्रोधो दशकं धमलम क्षिम ्॥ बुधचररतम ् मनु स्मृतत (६) धमो हि यत्ैः पु셁षेि साध्यः। - किभम ारम ् अथम - धैयम, क्षमा, दम, चोरी न करना, शुतचता, मनुष्य को यत्पूिमक धमम की साधना करनी इन्न्रय संयम, बुवि, विद्या, सत्य और क्रोध न चाहिये। करना िी धमम िैं। (७) शरीर माध्यम ् खलु धमम साधनम।् (२) धमम एि ितो िन्न्त धमो रक्षतत रन्क्षतः। अथातम ् शरीर की सब प्रकार की रक्षा करनी तस्मािमो न िन्त핍यो मा नो धमो ितो चाहिये न्जससे शरीर धमम मᴂ प्रिृि िो। अिधीत ् ॥ - - मनुस्मृतत (८) स्िधमे तनधनं श्रेयः परधमो भयािि - गीता अथम - जो धमम की रक्षा करता िै धमम स्ियं अपने धमम मᴂ मृत्यु िी श्रे िै दसू रⴂ का धमम उसकी रक्षा करता िै भय प्रदान करनेिाला िै। इसतलये धमम को न निीं करना चाहिये तनष्कषम - न्जससे न िुआ धमम िमᴂ न न कर दे। धमम िी मनुष्य का परम पु셁षाथम का श्रे साधन (३) एक एि सु饍 धमो तनधनेऽप्यनुयातत यः। िै । धमम के वबना कोई गतत निीं िै शरीरेि समं नाशं सिममन्यवि गच्छतत॥ अतः धमी स्ियं सुखी िोकर दसू रⴂ को भी सुख मनुस्मृतत पिुंचाता िै यिी धमम का फल िै धमम िी एक ऐसा तम् िै जो मृत्यु के बाद भी साथ जाता िै

Hinduism - Bhumika Mishra

Most religions are considered by believers and scholars alike as having been founder and they often seek to find the ‘essence’ of a particular religion in the teaching of his founder. But what about religions that have no person or figure who could be regarded as has having performed a founding role? The best known example is Hinduism, which, having no founder and has many distinct forms, has often been described not as a coherent religion in itself, but as a multiplicity of related religions. The Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre is a living example of that sacred place where one God is worshiped in its different manifestations – Bhagwan Vishnu, Sita Ram, Radha Krishna, Durga Ma, Gori Shankar, Murugan, Ayyappan, Mahavir, Budha and Hanuman. Instead of trying to find an essence of Hinduism, it is far more fruitful to regard the set of beliefs and practices covered by that name as forming a spiritual cultural process.

Page 31 Hinduism is the process that allows a remarkable variety of spiritual practices to be held together and to be recognised by Hindus as making up a spiritual cultural system, whatever name it might be given. Ultimately this process is synthetic blending of several distinct strands of thought and action. The best way we can appreciate this synthesis is to study the developments in ancient Indian religious history that lead to the beginning of Hinduism.

Dharma The key concept for understanding the Hindu view of life is Dharma. Dharma is a Sanskrit word which means the foundation of the whole universe. Dharma is a very complex word, with many meanings. It reflects both how the world is, how it should be and how religious practices fits in with the whole. At the highest level, it is Sanatan (Eternal) Dharma or the unchanging and everlasting law of order in the universe with which all things and all people should live in harmony and peace.

What is Hinduism? It is this very synthesis of the way of rituals-bhakti, action-renunciation, Yoga and Gyan (knowledge) that we may call Hinduism. It is neither rituals-bhakti, action-renunciation nor Yoga, Gyan (knowledge) alone; rather it is the interaction of all the four. Thus Hindus might predominantly fall into one of the four categories just outlined. Yet still regard themselves as devotees of one or more deities. The majority of Hindus in the past, and certainly today fall into the first category of rituals-bhakti. Individual devotees performing their own private rituals, spiritual practices. They also participate in large collective rituals at the temples. They also attend in large numbers going to discourses on Ramayana, Bhagvatam, Gita, etc. Yogic exercises, practice of meditation is also now becoming popular.

The Hindu view of life Right religious practices rather than set beliefs. In the long history of Hinduism there has never been universal doctrinal orthodoxy that is, a set of beliefs established by an elite group to which all believers must give assent at the risk of losing membership of the group if key creeds are questioned or denied. Instead, Hindus operates on set of assumptions about the reality and the world. To a certain extent, Hindus explains their current situation as a combination of the quality of their actions. Karma and commitment to Dharma in a previous life and their actions in this life. Some actions are assumed or considered so evil that not only the doers life affect but possibly of the whole family even through generations.

Hindu Scriptures Hindus have many sacred books all of which have contributed to its fundamental faith and beliefs. The most important of these holy writings include the Vedas, the Puranas, Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Bhagwat Gita and the Manu Smriti. The Vedas are the oldest Hindu scriptures. The Upanishads are works of philosophy written in the form of dialogues. The Puranas are long verse stories about Hindu God and Goddess and the lives of Hindu Rishis and sages.

Remembrance of God is life. Forgetfulness of God is death. In the same way, awareness of our immortal spiritual nature is life, non-awareness or forgetfulness of our divine nature is verily spiritual death. And it is from such a death that the ancient Vedic prayer goes up to the divine: “from such spiritual death, lead us unto reality, the immortality of divine consciousness, God experience, God-consciousness”. His Holiness Sri Swami Chidananda

Page 32 Havan or Yajna - Dr Partap Khanna Yajna means sacrifice, worship or offering and it is an age old feature of Hinduism (at least around 5000 years old). It is performed at all Hindus ceremonies in front of fire God with offering of clarified butter (Ghee), Havan Samagri and chanting of Vedic Mantras for the common good of all. It is a Vedic tradition described in Yajurveda and other Vedic literature. Pujya Sri Swami Dayanand Sarswati ji, the founder of Arya Samaj simplified this Havan process for common people.

Since early 80’s Havan is performed regularly, initially at the private homes of Hindu community, later at Belconnen Library and then at the Temple. It is performed on the morning of every third Sunday in the month at the temple. There is no special requirement or the time of day for doing a Havan. Any person can do this at one’s own place or may wish to join the group of devotees at the temple. It needs about 45 minutes for the whole function and involves chanting mantras in Sanskrit which now are easily available even in English transcription on the internet. Translation of those mantras can also be read there. Through these mantras we primarily offer prays to the Almighty God for the well being of our physical body and our mental faculties and for providing peace and happiness to all of us, others in our society and every one in this world.

We follow the following steps in havan:

• We usually start the prayers with Vedic Sandhya after chanting Om for three time. The first one is Gayatri mantra followed by another 20 mantras. (17th Mantra prays to God for giving us a long life of 100 years, for bestowing on us good sight in our eyes for 100 years, for keeping our hearing faculties for 100 years, for staying healthy in body and soul and for remaining independent and free to be able to pray during that period. • Sandya is followed by chanting of 8 Upasana (invocation, communion) mantras. • For special functions two lots of mantras, Swastivachnam (31 mantras) and Shanti Prakarnam (28 mantras), are chanted, but in usual cases we do not include them rather move on to the next step of performing Havan. • There are three Achman mantras (each time holy water is sipped) and 7 steps in a mantra to purify and strengthen different parts of our body by touching those parts with holy water. • With the next mantra we light the holy fire, while chanting the next two mantras we place it in the Havan Kund. Following that four mantras are chanted and three pieces of Samida (wood) which has previously been immersed with ghee on its ends are placed on the fire. • Then a mantra is repeated five times and every time with an offering of ghee (Ghee Ahuti).

Page 33 • Next step is to pour holy water with four mantras around the Havan Kund – first to the East, next to the West and to the North and finally all around the Havan Kund. • Ghee Ahuties (offerings) are made with the next 4 mantras • The next Ahuti is done with any sweet (Parshad) which is later distributed among the devotees. This is followed by a silent Ahuti. • From now on the Ahuties with ghee are accompanied with those of Samagri by every one sitting around Havan Kund. Twelve additional (four + eight from two sections) mantras are chanted. • Depending upon the time of the day Ahuties are given with mantras for morning (4 mantra) and/or evening (4 mantras) and the whole time –morning and evening (4 mantras) followed by the chanting four additional mantras. • We usually involve at this time every one to join in with Gayatri mantra (3 or 11 times) before ending the Havan ceremony with three Mantras. • Final prayers involve singing of Havan Prathana, some Bhajans and Aarti. Prayers end with Santipath and the distribution of Prashad.

Shantipath describes in essence the wish to have peace!!!

Peace unto the heaven, peace unto the sky and unto the earth, peace unto the water, peace unto the vegetation and the trees, peace unto all gods, peace unto Brahman and unto all and everything. May we realize that peace. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Page 34 Bhagwan Sri Mahaveer - Madhu Jain and Ashok Jain

The idea of installing a Jain deity was conceived almost as soon as the temple construction started way back in early nineties. There were very few Jain families in Canberra and it was not feasible to have a separate place of worship for Jains. We were the founding members of HTCC along with Shailender and Malti ji and Rakesha and Rashmi Jain. As the temple building construction progressed, HTCC management started thinking about various deities to be installed in the temple. The first deity was that of Lord Ganesha. It was donated to the temple by a murtikar, who had been invited to Australia under the aegis of India Council of Cultural Relations.

HTCC was gracious enough to offer us a place to install a Jain deity. We were invited by Sh Radha Sharma to sponsor a Jain deity. It was decided to install the deity of Bhagwan Mahaveer, the 24th Teethankar of the Jain religious order. Jain community in Canberra and Sydney then made efforts to bring a deity from Jaipur India. The Bhagwan Mahaveer deity landed in Canberra early in the year 2000. Sh Praveen Jain and Late Sh. Naveen Jain, both from Sydney, played an important role in making this a reality. Sh Muneshwar Sahdeo and his team worked tirelessly and helped us in installing this deity in place, just in times for this big event. Rashmi Jain through her mum in India organised to send all the special dresses, kalash, thali, Chhattar and other puja materials. It was a beautiful sight to see roughly 20 couples all dresses in yellow sarees and men dressed in yellow dhoti each of us with a mukut participating in the ceremony. Acharya Sh Devender Kirty Bhattarak ji travelled to Australia in April 2000, to conduct the pran pratishtha ceremony for this deity. It was a big event in the history of Jains in Australia. A number of dignitaries including ACT government ministers and the diplomats attended this ceremony and were blessed by Bhattarak ji. This deity has a unique distinction of being the first Jain deity in Australia. Jains families from Melbourne, Sydney and New Castle participated in this ceremony. Over the period, India community has grown in Australia and so has the Jain community. From the early days of HTCC operation when the monthly puja was done in the Belconnen library, we started an informal group of Jains in Canberra which later came to be known as Canberra Jain Mandal (CJM). We organise various important Jain events in the temple. The main activities are Mahaveer Jayanti around April and Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirwan Diwas around Diwali. Of late, a number of new Jain families have come to Canberra and joined the CJM. Mrs Deepali Jain is the current president of CJM.

Page 35 Shirdi Sai Baba Educational and Spiritual Activities at the HTTC - Anitha Kandukuri

As knowledge and education increases there seems to be a proportional increase in spiritual confusion in modern society. Intelligence can be a hindrance to spiritual progression. But when one calls earnestly to the God, His graces showers upon His children and a guru is shown, who will lead His children from the path of darkness to spiritual deliverance. So goes the story of the installation of Shirdi Sai Baba, the Param Sadguru and the installation of the Baba’s statue in HTTC. What started on very small scale in 1999 soon gathered momentum and as people began to flock to the feet of Baba, the group of devotees expanded. In 2003 a group of devotees worked to getting the Baba statue installed in HTTC along with the help of our good old friends from Sydney Shirdi Sai Santhan. Since that time, the number of devotees gathering on the Holy Thursday to offer their obeisance to Shirdi Sai Baba has multiplied. Today, there are hundreds of devotees just on Thursday alone who come to offer their respects to Baba. Devotees have taken up sponsoring the Thursday evening aarthis with bhojan Prasad for the attendees.

Since the time of installation of the Statue with due rites, HTTC has become the hub of Shirdi Sai events and activities. Each year the installation day – pranprathishta Divas is celebrated on the First week of December. The participation of the devotees in large volumes is evidenced when one visits the temple on the day of the ceremony. The annual ceremony is marked with the Palaki Utsav where Baba is taken around the temple in a flower decorated chariot with the name of Baba, this is followed by cake cutting by the young children to mark the Birth of Baba in Canberra. We have people from Sydney and other states joining us in big numbers. The program on the anniversary day includes Kakad aarthi, Abhishek, Havan, Bhajans, Palaki procession, Cake cutting, Madhyan aarthi and Bhojan prasad The activities of Baba continue to increase many folds. The main festivals followed by the followers of Shirdi Sai are – Ram Navami, Guru poornima and Dussera. The temple is packed with people during all festivals.

Page 36 Page 37 ऐ मेर े प्यारे वतन प्रोफेसर ननहाल अगर

ऐ मेरे प्यारे ितन तेरी बिुत िी याद आती मेरी मााँ गङ्गे तेरी भी याद मुझको अब सताती। ना समझ मᴂ आ रिा िै सुन ओ वप्रय बृजधाम मेरे, क्यⴂ हकया तूने मुझे इतने हदनⴂ से िै प्रिासी। बृजधाम मᴂ तगररराज िैं बृजधाम मᴂ यमुना हकनारा, बृजधाम मᴂ िंशी बजे तू तनत्य िी गैया चराता। गोवपयⴁ सङ्ग आज भी तू नृत्य करता िै मुरारी, िै मेरा बृजधाम िि और धाम िि पािन किाता। आज तो मैं तुम सभी से प्राथमना ये कर रिा िूाँ, आज तुम सबके चरि मᴂ तसर झुकाए मैं खडा िूाँ। अब निीं मेरा यिााँ कुछ काम िै तुम जानते िो, तुम मुझे िावपस बुला तो िन्दना यि कर रिा िूाँ। तुम सुनो विनती मेरी मैं बिुत िी दःखु पा रिा िूाँ, तनत्य आती याद तेरी िै ितन सच कि रिा िूाँ। रात को सपने मᴂ तो तनत गााँि मᴂ िी धूमता िूाँ, सुबि हफर जागने पर सपना इसको मानता िूाँ। अब तो जीिन 핍यथम िै प्रभु 핍यथम िी मैं घूमता िूाँ, 핍यथम िी मैं शोध करता 핍यथम घर से तनकलता िूाँ। 핍यथम िी आाँसू बिाऊाँ ना तमला सत्सङ्ग मुझको, 핍यथम िी बातᴂ क셂ाँ और 핍यथम सब मैं सुन रिा िूाँ। मरजी तेरी िै प्रभु िावपस बुला या ना बुलाता, शरि तेरी आ गया िूाँ और बस आाँसू बिाता। उस घडी का िी प्रभु अब िो रिा िै इंतजार, ितन की तम絍टी मᴂ िी तमटने को अब मैं तडफडाता।

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Page 39 Celebrating Holi – Shri Kanti Jinna Hindus celebrate hundreds of sacred occasions by festive observances. Many festivals are seasonal; some celebrate the harvest, some commemorate the birth, inauguration or victory (Jayanti) of a God or a hero and some are dedicated to important days, to famous incidents in mythology and to phases of the moon. A number are celebrated in honour of Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Ram, Gayatri, Lakshmi, Aiyappa, Saraswati, Mahavira, Buddha, Hanuman and other sacred deities.

Holi is a major traditional festival, which celebrates the beginning of the Indian Spring (autumn in Australia) as well as the triumph of good over evil. It starts about ten days before the full moon of Phalguna (February- March) and ends on the full moon of Phalguna. It is best known around the world for the powder and coloured water that revellers throw on each other leaving festival goers coated in colour by the end of the day.

The story behind Holi is derived from several legends. One such legend tells the story of how Lord Vishnu saved his devotee Prahalad from a pyre while Prahalad’s evil aunt Holika daughter of Hiranyakasipu burned. The night before the Holi festival, a Holika bonfire is burned to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In other parts of India, especially the South, the destruction of Kama by Shiva is celebrated.

Holi is perhaps the most boisterous of the Hindu festivals and celebrated with great gusto especially in the Northern parts of India. Everyone joins in the revelry be they men women or children and central to it is the throwing of various colours of powders or the squirting of coloured water on each other. Sweets are exchanged, eaten and shared by all.

Canberra has many groups of enthusiastic celebrators of Holi. Other than friends and relatives having their own Holi fun parties there are also the India Australia Association of Canberra, the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre at Florey and the Fijian Indian Hindu Community. The India Australia Association are well organised and have hundreds of participants who enjoy the Holi powder and water exchanges, a cultural program and a food fair, quite similar to what is organised by the HTCC. The Fijian community have a very traditional week long program where they have chautals and faag geet. The origins of these very animated songs and music are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from where these newer generations of indentured labourers originated and have retained and enthusiastically share their ritual each year. Around Holi time the group of Faag geet singers and musicians hire a bus or share vehicles and move from house to house of friends and relatives and interested participants and make presentations for half an hour or so. The presentation at the HTCC is a must on their itinerary. The hosts shower them with gifts, food and drinks.

At the Florey Temple, for decades now, Holika dahan bonfire is lit the night before the Holi Mela in the forecourt of the Temple. The Temple Priest leads everyone in prayer as they circle the bonfire. The following day, adults old and young, children, men and women have a great time dancing to the music and smear each other with coloured powders and water. No one leaves the Temple grounds with the same spotless clothes as they came in.

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THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION - HH Sri Swami Sivananda

Dhyana or meditation is in the keeping up of the flow of one idea with a continuity as unbroken as the flow of oil. Meditation is of two kinds, viz., concrete and abstract. If you meditate on any picture or concrete object it is concrete meditation. If you meditate on an abstract idea, on any quality such as mercy, tolerance, it is abstract meditation. A beginner should practise concrete meditation. For some aspirants, abstract meditation is easier than concrete meditation.

The practice of meditation must start only after one is well established in Pratyahara or abstraction of the senses and concentration. If the senses are turbulent, if the mind cannot be fixed on one point, no meditation is possible even within hundreds of years. One should go stage by stage, step by step. The mind should be withdrawn again and again and fixed upon the object of meditation. Its tendency to run and roam must be checked. One should reduce one’s wants and renounce all sorts of wild, vain desires from the mind. A desire less man alone can sit quiet and practise meditation. Sattvic and light diet and Brahmacharya are the prerequisites for the practice of meditation.

Consciousness is of two kinds, viz., focusing consciousness and marginal consciousness. When you concentrate on Trikuti, the space midway between the eyebrows, your focusing consciousness is on the Trikuti. When some flies sit on your left hand during meditation, you drive them with your right hand. When you become conscious of the flies it is called marginal consciousness. A seed which has remained in the fire for a second will not undoubtedly sprout into leaves even though sown in a fertile soil. Even so a mind that does meditation for some time but runs towards sensual objects on account of unsteadiness will not bring in the full fruits of Yoga.

The Self or the Atman is the fountain-source of all energy. Thinking on Atman as the Source of all Energy, is a dynamic method for augmenting one’s own energy, strength and power. If you think even for a single second, of the all-pervading pure, immortal Satchidananda Atman or Brahman, it would be tantamount to taking thousand and eight dips in the sacred Triveni—the junction of holy rivers at Prayag. This is the real mental sacred bath. Physical bath is nothing when compared to this internal bath of wisdom or knowledge. Worship the Self or the Atman with the flowers of Jnana or wisdom, contentment, peace, joy and equal vision. This will constitute real worship. Offerings of rose, jasmine, sandal paste, incense, sweetmeats and fruits are nothing when compared to the offerings of Jnana, contentment, peace, and equal vision. These are the offerings given by the ignorant persons. Try to identify yourself with the eternal, immortal, ever-pure

Atman or Soul that resides in the chambers of your heart. Think and feel always: "I am the very pure Atman. This one thought will remove all troubles and fanciful thoughts. The mind wants to delude you when it detracts you from the central purpose of your life, viz., and meditation on the Atman. Therefore start an anti- current of thought against the tendencies of the mind. Then, mind will lurk like a thief and become submissive.

In the Yoga-Vasishtha you will find: "The right course to be adopted by one who is a novitiate is this: Two parts of the mind must be filled with the objects of enjoyments, one part with philosophy and the remaining part with devotion to the teacher. Having advanced a little, he should fill one part of the mind with the object of enjoyment, two parts with devotion to the teacher and the remaining one with getting an insight into the meaning of philosophy. When one has attained proficiency, he should every day fill two parts of his mind with philosophy and supreme Renunciation, and the remaining two parts with meditation and devoted service to the Guru." This will eventually lead you on to meditation for twenty-four hours. Meditate ceaselessly upon that Satchidananda Brahman and attain the Supreme immaculate seat in this very life.

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मन की सुख शांतत - डॉ आशा गुप्ा

िमारी चाि यिी रिती िै हक िम सुखपूिमक शान्न्त और आनन्द के साथ अपना जीिन वबताएं। सुख केिल आराम से रिने तक निीं रिता। मन का सुख भी बिुत 焼셂री िै। िम ऊपर-ऊपर से सुखी हदखाई दे रिे िैं, पर मन मᴂ तूफान उठते रिते िैं। जैसे - किीं हकसी ने कुछ कि हदया, कुछ गलत कि हदया, कुछ गलत सुन तलया, कुछ ऐसा खा तलया जो अच्छा निीं लगा, कुछ गलत देखकर, कुछ गलत कर के - यानी अपनी पााँचⴂ इन्न्रयⴂ के चक्कर मᴂ प蔼कर मन की दगु तम त िो रिी िै। मन के इस वबखराि को सुधारने के तलये िमारी मदद के तलये श्री भगिद्गीता के द्वारा भगिान ने अजुमन को सुनाते सुनाते िम सब को सुनाया िै।

अब देखते िैं गीता िम से क्या किती िै? जब जो कतम핍य िमारे सामने आता िै िमᴂ उसे खुशी के साथ तनभाना िै। िमारे मन को अच्छा लगे या न लगे, पर िो काम करना िी िै। िोता यि िै, िमᴂ जो अच्छा लगता िै उस मᴂ िमारा प्रेम भाि रिता िै। जो अच्छा न लगे उस के तलये मन मᴂ द्वेष िो जाता िै। िमᴂ अपने आप को इसी राग-द्वेष से बचाना िै। 'ना कािू से दोस्ती ना कािू से बैर तभी मनिा बेपरिाि'।

िम अपने िी मन के भािⴂ को हकसी िस्तु-핍यव啍 के साथ जो蔼 देते िैं। उदािरि के तौर पर - वबचारे करेले ने क्या वबगाडाा़ िै? िो तो बडेा़ गुि लेकर आया िै न्जससे िमारा स्िास््य सुधर सकता िै। पर अनेकⴂ ऐसे िैं जो करेला वब쥍कुल पसन्द निीं करते। हफर सब जानते िैं - तसगरेट, शराब स्िास््य के तलये िातनकारक िैं पर कुछ का उसके प्रतत राग िो जाता िै।

अथम ये िै हक िमारे तलये क्या अच्छा िै क्या निीं, क्या लाभकारी िै क्या निीं इस का वििेक सामने रखकर 핍यििार करना िै, क्यⴂहक राग-द्वेष, इच्छा-अतनच्छा, िातन-लाभ सभी का असर िमारे मन पर प蔼ता िै। मन को ठीक रखने के तलये उसे नकारात्मक विचारⴂ से बचाने के तलये वििेक चाहिये। मन को शान्त रखना िै। िम िमेशा देखते िैं यहद कोई िमᴂ एक तगलास पानी भी दे तो तुरन्त मुाँि से तनकलता िै धन्यिाद। क्या िमने कभी इस बात पर ध्यान हदया िै? िमᴂ अपने जीिन मᴂ हदन रात क्या क्या निीं तमला िै? िि न तमलता तो शायद िम जीवित भी न रिते।

िमᴂ भगिान की ओर से पृ्िी, जल-तेज-िायु आकाश के 셂प मᴂ ये जो मू쥍यिान उपिार तमले िैं उनके तलये िमᴂ हकतना अतधक भगिान का गुिगान करना चाहिये। यिी गुिगान िी प्राथमना िै, यिी पूजा, यिी जप िै। यिी ध्यान िै। सूयम जब िषाम के कारि कुछ हदन न तनकले तो िमारा पोषि कैसे िो, आकाश मᴂ चन्रमा न िो तो िनस्पततयⴂ का पोषि कैसे िो?

प्राथमना शांत मन से िी िो सकती िै। शांत मन से िी ध्यान िो सकता िै। ध्यान अच्छी तरि से िुआ तो िम सारे हदन प्रसन्न तचि से रिते िैं।

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Kalash Yatra

Divali Mela @ Temple

Ramayan Sammelan

HTCC Pramukh Sevak (Up-Samooha)

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Sanskrit Drama Tulasi Vivah

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