LORD SHIVA HINDU TEMPLES Offering Spiritual Services and satisfying the needs of the Hindu community Mission

• To cater the spiritual and religious needs of the Indian Community in the region of Amsterdam and Amstelveen. • To meet their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual satisfaction. • To strengthen the community and promote the common good. INTRODUCTION – WHO ARE WE?

• The temple lays down its primary focus to play an efficient role in targeting and accomplishing the needs of the people of the Hindu community in response to their varied and distinct traditions and beliefs. • We make continuous efforts to provide a sense of religious satisfaction by offering our services with great dedication and enthusiasm. (Multiple deities idols)

• The limelight of the Lord Shiva Hindu Temple: - • Multiple Hindu deities’ temple under one roof • Open for all 365 days of the year including Sundays • Continuous presence of priest in the temple 24*7 (religious event in temple) • Proceedings of all Hindu ceremonies from first to last rites. • Special arrangements for poojas, hawan and other religious discourses. • Separate dining section of 100 sq meters available for ‘langar’(known as serving food to the devotees). • Special arrangements for small family functions. (langar hall) JOURNEY SO FAR…

• Current Temple established on 4th June, 2011 within 200 sq. meters and comprising two floors. • Kitchen, sanitation and other basic facilities available. • Dedicated person for timely cleaning of the temple. • Regular Prayers/ Aarti every morning and evening. (outside look of the temple) • Food / Prasad distribution every evening. • Celebrated various Hindu religious festivals in distinguished ways maintaining its ethnicity and significance. • Received overwhelming support and immense participation of the devotees that made the temple reach new heights.

(aarti in temple) ‘DELIVERING HAPPINESS THROUGH RELIGION IS A KEY TO OUR SATISFACTION’ -LORD SHIVA HINDU TEMPLES 6 Owning Temple’s Facebook page:

• 3000+ member followings.

https://www.facebook.com/ShivaHinduTempleAmsterdam 7 Owning Temple’s Website:www.shivatemple.nl EVENTS ORGANISED SO FAR..  Organized 20 + Hindu events in the temple that include majority of the traditional Hindu religious festivals.

HIGHLIGHTS: -

 Sri Krishna Janmashtmi ‘Shobha Yatra’: 8 to 12 Kilometers walk in Amsterdam Zuidoost with recitation of (Shobha Yatra beginning from the temple) Bhajan/Kirtan with professional music orchestra arrangements.

 Navratri festival: 9 evenings of continuous dedication.

(children participating in Jhakis during yatra)

(people holding ‘kalash’ in Navratri celebration) (yatra while singing spiritual bhajans)  Dussehra festival: Burning effigies of demons (Ravan, Kumbhkaran and Meghnath) in traditional Indian style.

(huge effigies placed in Bijlmer Park)  Karva Chauth: More than 350 women prayed and performed pooja in temple for their husbands.

(festival of ‘Karwa Chauth’ celebrated in multiple batches)  Diwali Celebration: Special pooja done by our Special Guest H.E. Ms. Bhaswati Mukherjee Ambassador Indian Embassy, The Netherlands (2012)

(Ms. Bhaswati Mukherjee) 10

RELIGIOUS SESSIONS ORGANISED:

• Religious sessions for Hindu community such as: • Shiv Purana; • Mata ki Chowki; • Akhanda Ramayana

• Festival celebrations like Shivratri, Holi, Navratri, Krishna Janmashtmi, Karwa Chauth, Diwali and other Hindu festivals celebrated yearly;

• Seminars conducted by the Masters of in-depth spiritual knowledge visiting from India and other European Countries. 11

GLANCE OF RELIGIOUS PRAVACHAN ORGANISED:

Bhagwad Katha by Sanjeev Krishna Thakurji 12

Pravachan by Devi Chitralekha ji 13

Gita Gyaan Pravachan - by Swami Sunirmalananda 14

'Shreemad Bhagavad Gita’ Pravachan by Purshottam Ji Maharaj OTHER CLASSES ORGANIZED:

 Meditation classes Delivering spiritual calmness & revitalizing your souls!

 Indian Dance lessons (Bharatnatyam; Indian Folk ): - Adjoining the Hindu as well as other community with the culture of Indian tradition, preserving it’s essence.

 Indian Music lessons (Instruments: Tabla / Dholak/ Harmonium): -  For kids aged between 6-14 ;  For adults 16

 Dutch Classes

(Learning about Hinduism)

 Hindi Lessons

(For Kids & Adults)