SOCIETY 4200 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109 Ph: (484) 616-9001 www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org

December 2020 NEWS LETTER Volume 33 Issue 12

* asato maa sadgamaya, tamaso maa jyotirgamaya, mrtyormaa amrtam gamaya.....Om Saantih,Saantih,Saantih*

HTS PROGRAM UPDATES

Priest Anand ji (512) 545-9657

ALMANAC JAIN ALMANAC UPCOMING PROGRAMS (Panchang)

Dec 10 : Ekadasi Dec 8 - Kartak Vad Aatham Jan 1st 2021: New Year Pooja Dec 12 : Pradosh Dec 13 - Kartak Vad chaudas ( Srinivasa Kalyana) Dec 25: Vaikunta Ekadasi Dec 19 - Magshar Sud Pacham Dec 27 : Pradosh Dec 22 - Magshar Sud Aatham Jan 10 2021: Thiruppavai Dec 29 - Magshar Sud Chaudas

Event Date & Time Facilitator

Sankat hara Chaturthi Anand ji Thursday, Dec 3 Ganesh pooja (Please contact the priest for timings)

Saturday, Dec 12 & Anand ji Pradosha Abhisheka Sunday, Dec 27 (Please contact the priest for timings)

Anand ji Ekadasi pooja Thursday, Dec 10 (Please contact the priest or timings)

Temple Anniversary Saturday, Dec 12 (Flyer on page 8)

Sai Sunday, December 13 (Flyer on page 9)

Friday, Dec 25 Vaikunta Ekadasi (Flyer on page 10)

1 An Appeal for Temple Membership

Namaskar. We hope you, your family and friends are safe and cheerful during these difficult times. If Covid-19 seriously reduced your family income that you are unable to meet your essentials like food or medicine, please contact Anandji (512-545 9657) or Rashmi Bhai (610-868 1231) for HTS assistance, which will be kept strictly confidential.

If thanks to ’s Grace, your family is well protected, please spare few minutes to read what follows below; we all know that our temple is brimming with activities throughout the year. For all of us in Lehigh Valley, the temple is the place to congregate and celebrate religious events, cultural festivals and social gatherings. You also know how much it costs to run a family; now, imagine how many thousands of dollars the temple needs to spend to support all our expenses. During 2019, our total temple expenses are $240,064; that is annual expenses are over $20,000 per month. The temple management runs a very tight ship; we do not spend money easily; we pinch every expense to save money for the temple. We cannot meet our expenses without your financial support.

Following the recession post 9/11, temple revenue dropped 31%. During the Great Recession, our temple revenue took a deep dive for five consecutive years!!! During the first four months of 2020, due to Covid-19 lockdown, temple revenue has already dropped a whopping $33,000. We are afraid that by year-end, temple revenue may drop over $100,000 unless we all act NOW. At the very least, please go to https://www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org/ & begin/renew Annual Membership of $151. If you are able to donate more, this is the time that the temple badly needs all your generous financial support. We would be highly obliged if you can call your close friends/family to do the same. Lord Krishna protects all of us; it is our duty to make sure that His Home is financially stable. Thank You.

Pattabi Neelakantan Neela Bera Chair, Board of Trustees President, Executive Council

2 TEMPLE ADMINISTRATION Executive Council

Please remember! We all share the Temple. Let us work President: Neela Bera 610-417-1068 Vice-President: Jitesh Rohatgi 862-324-2939 together to keep it safe & clean. Remember to tidy rooms when Secretary: Sarvana Govindasamy 732-379-9611 Treasurer: Venkat Balabhadra 610-530-7863 finished using them. Please refrain from horseplay on temple Asst. Treasurer: Ravi Chitluru 610-349-0662 Program Director: Nirmala Sivakumar 610-909-7865 property. Thank you for your understanding. Asst Program Director: Editor: Swathi Anantasagar 484-772-5210 Asst Editor: Balvihar Director: Pratibha Purani 610-390-9316 Balvihar Asst. Dir: Purvi Bhojani 484-903-1954 !!NO PARKING ON THE CURB!! Comm. Relations Dir: Vindya Raghavachari 610-709-4066 Webmaster: Sridhar Venkatnarayanan 630-363-0673 Note the yellow “no parking” lines next to the Asst. Webmaster: Sameer Phadke 484-695-8761 curbside of the temple. Violations will be strictly Members-at-large enforced by the local police. Nirav Shah 215-450-9987 Seema Garg 404-200-3239 Vinay Satyanarayan 610-628-4101 Shaila Shah 484-347-7749 **No Eating in the Temple Sanctorum** Surender Dayal 610-392-5851

Only small quantity of dry Prasad is allowed in the Program Committee temple sanctorum. No plates and cutlery Rimmi Dawar 610-261-2050 allowed. Please exit out of the temple sanctorum Pratima Patel 646-479-0142 into the main lobby area to eat more Prasad. Rakesh Shroff 610-504-9412 Sujata Singh 610-730-0845 prasad. Maintenance Committee Please refrain from bringing unused items from Satish Patel 646-479-0142 Manish Desai 610-223-7367 your home and leaving it at the temple in boxes Urvish Shah 484-695-3534 labeled “FREE”. Babulal Chauhan

Advertisement in the News Letter Board of Trustees Chairman: Full Page(7.5” x 10”) $ 70 Pattabi Neelakantan 610-351-1710 Half Page (7.5” x 5”) $ 50 Temple Tax ID Quarter Page (3.5” x 5”) $ 30 #23-2064729 Vice Chairman: Chetan Pandya 610-336-0454

Please e-mail your ad (in WORD / PUBLISHER ONLY) AS PER Secretary: THE ABOVE GUIDELINES to the editor [email protected] Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210 Send the check payment (made out to Hindu Temple Society) directly to the Temple address. Please note the Audit Committee: Chetan Pandya - Chair 610-336-0454 purpose of the check in the memo field. Bhailal Shah 610-398-1647

RENTAL DONATIONS FOR THE TEMPLE Education Committee: (EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 2019) Gayatri Ray 610-776-8110

Temple Hall & Lower Level 0 - 3 hours $250; Each additional hour $75 Finance Committee: Narsu Tatikola (484) 719 5409 Temple Hall 0 - 2 hours $100; Each additional hour $50 Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210 Lower Level 0 - 3 hours $200; Each additional hour $75 Chatargy Kaza 610-614-0128

The above rates are for Paid Members only. Non-Member rate is total bill + Membership and Community Relations: 20%. Charges are based on current (or) prior year Membership. Chatargy Kaza 610-614-0128 Susheer Gandotra (570) 620 6219 A refundable deposit of $100 is required to make the above reservations. Kripa Singh 610-391-1540 Deposit will be returned in entirety if temple is left in the same condition as prior to the rental. Projects & Planning Committee: Kripa Singh – Chair 610-391-1540 Payment in full is required two weeks prior to the rental day. Payment can Ajay Soni (908) 391 3959 be made online or with a check payable to HTS given to Temple Manage- Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210

ment. Ex-Officio Member: Lower Level, Stage only 0 - 2 hours $30 Neela Bera 610-417-1068 Upper Level, Krishna Room 0 - 2 hours $20 Publication Identification Upper Level, Yamuna Room 0 - 2 hours $20 Title: HTS News Letter Issue Date: Monthly / December 2020 Upper Level, Ganga Room 0 - 2 hours $30 Volume: 33; Issue # 12 Published by: Hindu Temple Society, Folding Chairs Each $1 4200 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109 Please visit “www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org” for CURRENT newsletter, donation links and other information.

3 Dear Friends,

Shubh Deepavali and Happy New Year ! Hope you and your family here, and in India are safe and cheerful.

Our heartfelt thanks to everyone, who helped make this fundraiser a big success; businesses that advertised in our brochure, our beloved Amrish Mishra from India to local artists, dancers, choreographers, and countless volunteers. A Big Thank You.

We started the year with a bang on Jan. 1st with - Ganesh followed by many pujas until puja and then the Covid-19 troubles began. For the first time in HTS history, the temple closed its doors starting from March 15th. But Covid-19 could not dampen our spirits as Anandji and the Program Committee shifted gears to conduct religious and cultural events on Zoom !! We quickly learned to organize many pujas including Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturti Maha Utsav, Mata Ki Chowki and Navratri celebrations sponsored by families both in person and over Zoom. Of course, other activities like Sai Bhajan, Balvihar, classes and Bhagavat Gita classes continue to happen through Zoom. Finally, our Annual General Body Meeting and EC Election, which was postponed from April 25th, happened on August 30th via Zoom and the new EC team sworn in. What a tumultuous year indeed!!

In addition, to meet the growing space requirements of the temple community, the management bought the house adjacent to the temple so that some of our activities can be conducted there. The management is also working tirelessly with the Hanover Township, and the engineering firm to expand the temple hall, basement, and few Murthis and additional parking spaces in the next 1-2 years.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel Holi Celebrations, Thyagaraja Aradhana, Bazaar and other events, which greatly reduced temple revenue during this year. We are counting on your continued financial support to cover temple expenses. So, please become a paid member or renew your membership by donating $150.

We urge you all to consider donating 1% of your annual income to our temple so that we can meet our temple community’s current and future needs.

Krishna does not need anything from us other than love and devotion. He gives everything to us. Let us make His Home financially secure as our own homes.

We wish you all Happy Diwali & a wonderful New Year 2021. (Photos from 2019)

Thank you.

Pattabi Neelakantan Neela Bera Chairman President Board of Trustees Executive Council

4 TEMPLE BULLETIN BOARD

BHAGAVAD GITA VICHAR GROUP

Bhagavad Gita and Studies Group For all the HTS Poojas, please use Sessions are held every Thursday, 7:00 PM Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139 to 9:00 PM . Text: Bhagavad Gita Home Study by Swami Dayanandaji

Zoom Video Conference, call Dipakji (484) Go to https://www.hindutemple- 597-0981 lehighvalley.org/ to begin/renew HTS Annual Membership of $151

Private Puja , call Anandji: (484) 616-9001 or Nirmala: (610)909-7865 for more details

PUJA PROGRAM

Thursday, Dec 3rd Sankata Hara Chaturthi pooja

(Please contact the priest for details)

Tuesday, Dec 29th Satyanarayna pooja . ( Pournami pooja)

(Please contact the priest for details)

Thursday, December 10th & Ekadasi Pooja: Sahasranama Archana Friday, December 25th followed by Aarthi. Sponsors are solicited Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139

(Vaikunta Ekadasi — Flyer on page 10) Saturday, December 12th & Pradosh Shiva Abhishek Sunday. December 27th Devotees are welcome to sponsor the Pooja Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139

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Temple Guidelines during Green Phase

Dear Devotees: Hope you are all safe and cheerful during these challenging times. The Temple Management is pleased to announce a partial reopening of the temple during the Green Phase starting from Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The temple will implement the following guidelines from the Commonwealth of PA, CDC and other local health agencies. These guidelines may be revised at any time to better protect community health.

TEMPLE PUJAS/HAVAN PRIVATE PUJAS/HAVAN Temple will perform select pujas/havan as per Devotees can perform any religious function in the Hindu /Jain calendar. During these events, ON- temple by contacting Priest Anandji at mutually LY sponsoring family or families are allowed in convenient time. During these events, only the temple. These events may be shared via sponsoring family or families are allowed in the Zoom, when possible. temple.

Devotees are requested to stand/sit only in marked spots to ensure social distancing; please do NOT move chairs from the marked spots. Maximum capacity in the temple hall is 30; when the temple is at full capacity, only 1 devotee can wait at the assigned seat before priest desk. Others must wait outside the temple hall. Devotees are allowed to bring only flowers & fruits (prewashed). Temple will not offer any prasad/theertham to devotees. Devotees are requested to enter/exit doors one person at a time to maintain social distancing. Devotees who are not feeling well, those with symptoms such as fever, cough, aches/pain or those under quarantine are requested to visit the temple after 14 days. All devotees will enter/exit the temple ONLY through the back door, close to the parking lot. Please park in alternate spots to increase social distancing. Devotees must fill-in the following details in the Register next to the entrance; Date/Time, Name (all visitors), Phone/Email so that contact tracing is possible, if needed. All devotees entering temple property must wear masks; if not, they will be politely asked to leave. The temple may provide masks for a small donation; please drop $1 for each mask in the donation box. Devotees must bring exact change as no change will be given by the priest. If your temperature is 100.4°F or above (38 °C), we request that your ENTIRE family visit the temple after 14 days; HTS may check the temperature of devotees, when appropriate. Upon entering the temple, devotees are requested to wash their hands with soap thoroughly before touching any temple property. Only the lobby bathrooms will be kept open. Shoes must be placed in the designated shoe rack only. Devotees must keep a distance of at least 6 feet from each other and Priest Anandji. Priest Anandji will clean/sanitize puja area after each religious event, and the temple will clean the rest of the areas on a more frequent basis to ensure proper hygiene/cleanliness. The following facilities will be kept locked - Middle Entrance, Ganga, Yamuna, Krishna, Basement, Elevator etc.

6

Balvihar Update

HTS Balvihar celebrated Deepavali by conducting arts, crafts, fun and games for Balvihar Children online. We had a Diwali Contest for which all Balvihar Families were encouraged to send pictures, videos of their home decorations. It was widely received and enjoyed. The winning student Ms. Suhani Thakkar received a Diwali Hamper sponsored By Bibi Grocery in Trexlertown. We also had a lucky draw which was won by students Shveni & Pahini Vyas who received a $20 gift card from Balvihar!

We look forward to the midterm in December after which Balvihar will take a winter break. We thank all the families who continue to bring joy, happiness and festivity into their homes and share it with our com- munity! Our HTS Balvihar Facebook and Instagram social media lit up with the wonderful pictures sent by our beautiful participants!

7 HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY PROUDLY CELEBRATES

35th TEMPLE ANNIVERSARY PUJA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020 Anniversary Puja Timings 11—12 noon 3—4 p.m. 4.30-5.30 p.m. 6—7 p.m.

Zoom ID: 263 071 1139

Invite Laddo Gopal (Lala Ji) home on this special day. On this memorable day, a special prana pratisha of 108 Ladoo Gopal (Lala ji) will be performed.

Devotees are requested to sponsor an idol for $108. And take Krishna home. By sponsoring a Baby Krishna idol, you are supporting our temple during this difficult year as temple revenue is drastically down.

Installing a Baby Krishna in your altar or pooja room will not only keep your sweet home vibrant but also bring harmony, contentment and prosperity.

Please avail of this rare opportunity of helping the temple and welcoming Lala Ji to your home.

For details, please contact Anandji (512) 545-9657 Neela (610) 417-1068; Nirmala (610) 909-7865.

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Sai Bhajan

Through Zoom [Meeting ID: 263 071 1139] Sunday, December 13th From: 5:00 PM To: 6:00 PM

Program Namavali Harati

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10 The Hindu Temple Society Non-Profit Org. 4200 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109 U.S. Postage (610) 264-2810 PAID Lehigh Valley, PA RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED...... Permit No.22

Jan 1st 2021: New Year Pooja ( Srinivasa Kalyana) Jan 10 2021: Thiruppavai Upcoming 2020 HTS Events

Mark your calendar for these grand HTS events & look out for further updates in the HTS email blasts newsletter & WhatsApp group!

Scan the above QR code with your phone’s camera to join the HTS Events & News WhatsApp group! Let’s stay connected. Temple: (484) 616 9001

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