2014 Rathyatra Festival
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2138 South Fish Hatchery Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53575 June 29, 2014 Rathyatra Festival Souvenir American Hindu Association Phone: (608) 234-8634 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aha-svtemple.org Welcome Message from Chairman of The Board of Trustees On behalf of Trustees of American Hindu Association, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all to our 3rd Annual Rathyatra Festival at our temple. This is a very exciting time for our organization as we embark on a substantial development program to provide facilities for the community. The trustees are humbled by the show of support from the community for project. We look forward to a fun and enjoyable day as we bring the revered Jagannath Puri Rathyatra puja to our community. This event has grown substantially over the last 3 years and this has been only possible through hard work and support form all the volunteers. I would like to thank the 3rd Annual Rathyatra Festival organizing committee to have put together such a wonderful program for the community. Once again a warm welcome to everyone and I hope you will have an enjoyable day. Mahesh Sharma Welcome Message from the President of American Hindu Association On behalf of the American Hindu Association, I would like to welcome you all to our 3rd Annual Rathyatra festival at our temple. The Jaganath- puri Rathyatra puja and the accompanying Mela activities has become a landmark summer event for Madison and the surrounding community and I would like to thank the community for making this such a success for us all. As we strive to build our facilities here in Fitchburg, events such as these have allowed us to bring the community together to celebrate our religion and culture. We hope that you all will have a wonderful time at the event and also have an opportunity to taste mouthwatering dishes from all corners of India and have a chance to participate in various fun and cultural activities. We have a very good line up of cultural programs featuring our young and young-at-heart performers from the community. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors and well wishers for all your support and look forward to an enjoyable day with you all. Narend Reddy AHA 2014 Rathyatra Festival Program Official Cultural Food and Other Time Puja Program Programs Stalls Surya Puja, Dwarapal Puja, & 8:00 to 8:30 Mangal Arti 9:00 to 9:30 Abakas & Bal Bhog Kirtans 10:00 to 10:30 Procession 10:30 to 10:45 Bastra & Puspa Pradan Welcome & Introductions, 10:45 to 11:00 Address by 11:00 to 11:15 Chief Guest 11:15 CheraPahanra (Brooming) Kirtans 11:15 to 12:00 Chariot Pulling - First Phase Open 12:00 to 12:15 Session I (including 12:15 to 12:30 Public Archana- Session I speech by visiting 12:30 to 12:45 scholar) 12:45 to 1:45 Chariot Pulling - Second phase 1:45 to 2:00 2:00 to 2:30 Public Archana - Session II Session II 2:15 to 2:30 Our mission is to provide the highest quality dentistry for the families of Dane County and the environs. With our staff of 10 dental professionals, we provide a full range of services. We wish American Hindu Association all the best for 2014 Rathyatra Festival. Dr. Lubet and Associates stresses preventative care and uses modern and comfortable methods to keep patients smiling for a life time. 6661 University Ave. Middleton, WI Phone Number: (608) 836-1446 http://drlubetandassociates.com Rathyatra By Akshita Pattnaik, 6th grader at Kromrey Middle School, Middleton WI. You may think, “Rathyatra? What is that?” It is an amazing, magical experience. Just to be invited to it, would be an honor. Not many people get to go. It is an annual festival, mainly held in Orissa, India, that is so big it pulls millions of people at the least. Rathyatra is held all around the world. Every year at least a million people around the world witness this grand occasion. For example in Houston Texas on Saturday July 13, 2013, over 4,000 people witnessed the Royal Chariot Festival of an incarnation of Vishnu, a Hindu Lord of the universe. Rathyatra is a long process. There are many special people and rituals associated with it. There is a story be- hind the celebration. On his birthday, the Lord, his siblings, and Sudarshan, the mighty weapon, first take 108 baths of scented water, which has been given the name, Snana Purnima. Therefore, they become sick, and take a long nap. Fifteen days later the Lord Shri Jagannath of Puri, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra, and younger sister Goddess Subhadra, wish to go to their aunt’s house. So they take a trip to Gundicha Mandir. Eight days later is Bahuda Yatra. Bahuda celebrates the siblings’ return home. The most significant ritual associated with the Rathyatra is the Chera Pahara. During the festival, the King wears the outfit of a sweeper and sweeps all around the deities and chariots in the Chera Pahara (sweeping with water) ritual. The King cleanses the road before the chariots with a gold-handled broom and sprinkles sandalwood water and powder with utmost devotion. As per the custom, although the King has been consid- ered the most honorable person in the Kalingan kingdom, he still does the common service to Jagannath. This ritual signified that under the lordship of Jagannath, there is no difference between the powerful sovereign King and the most humble devotee. Chera Pahara happens twice, on Rathyatra and Bahuda Yatra. As per another ritual, when the deities are taken out from the Shri Mandir to the chariots in Pahandi Vijay, an- noyed devotees hold a right to offer kicks, slaps and dishonoring remarks to the images, and Jagannath accepts it like a commoner. They also are so ecstatic that they sing cry and laugh all alike. Mr. Raju Indukuri & Family (Ph: 608 320 1898) are proud to be associated with American Hindu Association and wishes them all the best for the 2014 Rathyatra Festival Message from Chairman of the Rathyatra Organizing Committee Dr. Subash Das “Jagannatha Swami Nayana Patha Gami Bhaba Tume.” May the LORD bless you with health, wealth, wise thoughts and good people around. On behalf of the organizing committee, I welcome you to the 3rd Annual Rathyatra, and Mela Festival being held at the Fitchburg temple. Please enjoy this premier event that is only of its kind in Madison showcasing of Hindu culture and heritage. Take part in this religious and auspicious event of the journeys of the three deities Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra from their abode to the place of their relatives. An occasion of great devotional triumph, where hundreds of families from Wisconsin and beyond can come and experience the flavor of India, enjoy educational and social ac- tivities Message from Chief Guest, Mayor of Fitchburg Mr. Shawn Pfaff I am so pleased that the 3rd Annual Rathyatra and Mela Festival is be- ing held in Fitchburg where hundreds of families from across southern Wisconsin and beyond can come enjoy educational and social activities along with great food and conversation in a beautiful spiritual setting. Message from President of Madison Community Foundation Mr. Bob Sorge Congratulations to American Hindu Association for organizing their 3rd Annual Rathyatra Festival in Fitchburg. Accord Reality Ad Half Page Advertisement Message from Founder of American Hindu Association Dear Members of the Community, I would like to welcome you to the American Hindu Association, a non-profit organization for the Com- munity. On July 4, 1997, my family members joined together at 2637 Stevens St, Madison and agreed there was an urgent need for a Hindu Association dedicated to individuals and families of Dane coun- ty. Now, sixteen years later, hundreds of families have joined in our efforts to build a Communi- ty Center in Dane County, Wisconsin. Since the beginning of the Association, we have conducted several educational programs of Bala Vihar and Bala Gokulam for our young kids, and have launched several programs for youth and adults too. AHA continues to listen to the needs of our community and develop resources and plans to meet these needs. All of the programs that you have read about on our website have been created by and for our community. AHA has helped educate countless children in Hinduism and has supported numerous fellowships. To- day, because many others have shared a common vision, we have been able to accomplish a great deal and much more needs to be done on behalf of our community. We encourage you to join in our efforts by becoming involved in AHA, whether as a consumer of our services, a volunteer or a philanthropic donor. I would like to welcome you all to AHA. I hope you will be our supporter and ally in the change we all wish to see in the world. Sincerely, Bahee Sathasivam Founder of American Hindu Association Board of Director and Trustee AHA Cultural Center Project In 2009 AHA purchased a seven acre property at 2138 South Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg with a long term vision of building a Hindu Temple and other associated amenities for the benefit of the community. The AHA Management Board has approved the construction of an approximately 7000 square feet building to house all temple activities. This cultural center building will be appropriately sited such that it does not affect any future property development. The facility will involve a 4000 square feet main level and a 3000 square feet lower level.