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Sarva Devata

Volume 29 September 2012 Number 3 D/FW HinduD/FW Temple Hindu Society “Ekta Mandir” Website: www.dfwhindutemple.org 1605 N. Britain Road, Irving TX 75061 Telephone: Metro (972) 445-3111, Fax: (972) 445-3100 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 154246 Irving, TX 75015-4246 Temple Hours Mon – Fri: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM & 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM Sat & Sun: 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM; Aarati: 12 Noon and 7:30 PM, Daily 9 Monthly Events 9 Every Purnima 6:00 PM Satyanarayan Puja/Katha Every Pradosh 6:30 PM Shiva Puja & Abhishekam Every Shashti 6:30 PM Murugan Abhishekam Every Chaturthi 6:30 PM Ganesha Abhishekam First Wednesday 10:30 AM Vitthala Abhishekam & Puja First Friday 10:00 AM Mahalakshmi Abhishekam First Friday 6:30 PM Abhishek BY Ilangai Thamizhar Group First Saturday 3:30 PM Amrit Vaani First Sunday 4:00 PM Durga Puja-Shakti Group Second Saturday 10:00 AM Balaji Abhishekam (Andal /Chakratalwar ) Second Saturday 5:30 PM Bhajans by Omkar Satsang Mandal Second Sunday 10:30 AM & 1:30 PM Arya Samaj Havan Third Thursday 10:00 AM Dattatreya Paduka Abhishek Third Friday 8:45 PM Durga Jagarta Third Saturday 4:00 PM Gita Reading-Gita Sanskar Third Saturday 6:30 PM Ayyappa Abhishekam & Puja Third Sunday 4:00 PM Gayatri Puja Fourth Friday 7:00 PM Naadha/Nrtya Upaasanaa ( with 15 Mins Break for aarati) Fourth Saturday 4:00 PM Sunder Kand Path 6:00 PM Bhajans by Sanatan Satsang Samaj Fourth Sunday 3:30 PM Arya Samaj Havan

GENERAL BODY MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA ON PAGE 19.

Dear Devotees,

Namaste!

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is my privilege to extend warm greetings to all of you for the religious events and festivals in coming months.

The Temple has been fulfilling the needs of our community satisfactorily for a number of years. This year has brought many key functions to the temple including the just concluded Hanuman Katha and we are looking forward to the upcoming Ganesh Mahotsav celebrations.

We are grateful for your participation, support and attendance at these and many other events. Even during difficult economic times, your support has remained steadfast and for that we are truly appreciative. Additionally, our dedicated team of volunteers has continued to expand and we admire their tireless service to the temple. We completed installation of security cameras for our facilities. We are continuing to improve the facilities, including improved exhaust system at Yagnashala, air improvements in new multipurpose unit and other issues.

I was privileged to work with an extraordinary team of Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and dedicated core volunteers who worked together to serve our community needs. We are very thankful for their hard work and sacrifice over the years. Sincerely, Manoj Parikh Chair, Board of Trustees- 2012

2 D/FW Hindu Temple Society \ Message from the President \ Management

Namaste Devotees, Board of Trustees I am honored to be given an opportunity to serve as the President of D/FW Hindu Temple “Ekta Mandir”. I thank all of you for the trust you have placed in Chairman me. I would also like to thank my family for supporting me. Manoj Parikh 972-298-2011 Our Temple is Unique. Devotees from every region of India come here to Secretary worship. We have idols from each region of India (East, West ,North and Harshika Bhatt 972-462-1383 South). We have regular daily and monthly Pujas, in addition to these celebrations we have festivals, special events, special Havans, Kathas, Discourses etc. This Temple has been a powerful force in bringing all Hindu Members communities together and celebrating our common religious heritage. I Asha Ram 972-252-1500 strongly believe in this quote “We are only as strong as we are united, as Dr. N. K. Monga 214-368-8563 weak as we are divided.” My objective for Year 2012 was to work together, as our name stands “EKTA”. I worked hard to accomplish this goal by supporting Kanti Wani 817-608-0244 cultural events, discourses, educational activities and community services Rajiv Gaind 972-392-7860 from each region. Sandhya Patel 972-506-9141 This is our last issue of Archana for this Year. I would like to thank each one S.P. Krishnamurthy 817-267-5505 of you from the bottom of my heart for your cooperation, support and generous Tushar Basu 817-354-6068 donations. I also want to thank each and every member of my dedicated and Vinoda Kumar 817-589-2517 supportive Executive Committee and Volunteers who have been extremely helpful in organizing daily and monthly pujas as well as major festivals. I like to take a moment and thank our team of dedicated Priests for their services Executive Committee in enlightening our Temple. I also like to thank our Board of Trustees for their guidance. Special thanks to our Managers for their hard work. They work President hard to provide a support and help to EC, BOT and the devotees. There were many instances when we had more than three events that are happening Anita Singhal 817-261-9174 simultaneously. Managers worked with great dedication to serve everyone’s needs. I like to thank all of the volunteers who help prepare mouthwatering Vice President (I) Mahaprasad every Sunday and on special occasions. I also like to thank our Khemchand Nangrani 972-742-5680 Founders of this temple who taught us diversity of worship and created a path which is easy to follow. My sincere appreciation goes to Vidya Vikas Volunteers, administrators, teachers and parents. Vice President (II) Omana Nair 972-444-0662 Month of May started with Balaji Kalyanam, Mother’s Day - Walkathon and Picnic. Rath Yatra was well organized by our Oriya community. Month of July began with Guru Punima and followed by Gita Homam and many more Treasurer pujas. July ended with a three-day Sri Devi Praarthanaa Mahotsav which Kumud Gupta 817-571-6945 was performed by Yagnya Ratnamji from Chennai. Joint Treasurer Month of August started with a five-day Hanuman Katha. We were blessed to have the opportunity to listen Hanuman Katha narrated by Acharya Vijayji for Mukund Patel 214-357-2844 the first time in temple’s history. This Katha was a huge success and I would like to take a moment to thank Chair, Co chair, Volunteers and Donors for this Secretary Katha. Our Janmashtami day celebration was followed by Annakut and Nand Mahotsav. Since Janmashtami day was on Friday, several devotees attended Swati Pandit 817-267-0264 Midnight aarati and Jhula. Janmashtami Bhajans were performed by Omkar Bhajan group. Garba was performed by Krishna devotees. As per our tradition, following Sunday Janmashtami celebration was performed by the Vaishnav Committee Members Parivaar. A. L. Somanath 817-545-3735 The upcoming events include Ganesh Mahotsav, Navaratri, Diwali, Skanda Anil Sabnis 972-304-0715 Shashti and Ayyappa Mandala Pooja. I like to personally invite each one of you to our annual Diwali dinner on November 17th, 2012. Please come and Bharat Patel 214-893-4139 join this annual function and enjoy evening filled with food and entertainment. Chandra K. Bandar 214-295-7448 We are very blessed to have two Vaikunta Ekadashi’s this year (first on 4th of Dilip Yadev 972-315-3339 January and second on 23rd of December). For upcoming events and Temple News, please visit our web-site www.dfwhindutemple.org. Indiraben Shah 972-283-7955 Kishor Fruitwala 972-234-1211 The new EC and BOT team for year 2013 will be selected early October. I Kundan Sharma 972-279-4134 wish our incoming President and new EC and new BOT team very best as they work together to take Temple to new heights. Mahalakshmi Shivkumar 972-814-4800 MVL Prasad 469-464-7829 I like to thank God for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity. I enjoy Pradeep Desai 972-393-9175 every minute, spent at the Temple . I strongly believe that when 7 Priests of our Temple Chant Mantra’s and perform Puja’s, it feels like Heaven on earth. Prasanna Panicker 972-226-4277 I hope you will continue to support the Temple Management with your time, Rajneesh Gupta 972-370-9493 devotion and generous contributions. I like to share with you a quote from Revathi Srinath 972-387-9248 Mahatama Gandhi “Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion” Satyanarayana Bodla 817-571-4626 Shakuntala Kalia 214-441-3227 With best wishes Sharad Sevak 972-255-7270 Swati Tripathy 940-382-7305 Anita Singhal Vinod Kumar 817-366-0641 President, D/FW Hindu Temple 3 | WHY WE SHOULD VISIT TEMPLES? |

(Scientific Reason) There are thousands of temples all over India in different size, shape and locations but not all of them are considered to be built the Vedic way. Generally, a temple should be located at a place where earth’s magnetic wave path passes through densely. It can be in the outskirts of a town/village or city, or in middle of the dwelling place, or on ahilltop. The essence of visiting a temple is discussed here. Now, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. The main idol is placed in the core center of the temple, known as “*Garbhagriha*” or *Moolasthanam*. In fact, the temple structure is built after the idol has been placed. This *Moolasthanam* is where earth’s magnetic waves are found to be maximum. We know that there are some copper plates, inscribed with Vedic scripts, buried beneath the Main Idol. What are they really? No, they are not God’s / priests’ flash cards when they forget the *shlokas*. The copper plate absorbs earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Thus a person regularly visiting a temple and walking clockwise around the Main Idol receives the beamed magnetic waves and his body absorbs it. This is a very slow process and a regular visit will let him absorb more of this positive energy. Scientifically, it is the positive energy that we all require to have a healthy life. Further, the Sanctum is closed on three sides. This increases the effect of all energies. The lamp that is lit radiates heat energy and also provides light inside the sanctum to the priests or *poojaris* performing the pooja. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers takes a worshipper into trance, thus not letting his mind waver. When done in groups, this helps people forget personal problems for a while and relieve their stress. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out the chemical energy further aiding in a different good aura. The effect of all these energies is supplemented by the positive energy from the idol, the copper plates and utensils in the *Moolasthan*am / *Garbagraham*. *Theertham*, the “holy” water used during the pooja to wash the idol is not plain water cleaning the dust off an idol. It is a concoction of Cardamom,*Karpura* (Benzoin), zaffron / saffron, *Tulsi* (Holy Basil), Clove, etc...Washing the idol is to charge the water with the magnetic radiations thus increasing its medicinal values. Three spoons of this holy water is distributed to devotees. Again, this water is mainly a source of magneto-therapy. Besides, the clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & *Tulsi* leafs protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and *Pachha Karpuram* (benzoin), act as mouth fresheners. It is proved that *Theertham* is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. Hence it is given as *prasadam* to the devotees. This way, one can claim to remain healthy by regularly visiting the Temples. This is why our elders used to suggest us to offer prayers at the temple so that you will be cured of many ailments. They were not always superstitious. Yes, in a few cases they did go overboard when due to ignorance they hoped many serious diseases could be cured at temples by deities. When people go to a temple for the *Deepaaraadhana*, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the assemblages passes on the energy to all. This also explains why men are not allowed to wear shirts at a few temples and women are requested to wear more ornaments during temple visits. It is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed by the women. Also, it is a practice to leave newly purchased jewels at an idol’s feet and then wear them with the idol’s blessings. This act is now justified after reading this article. This act of “seeking divine blessings” before using any new article, like books or pens or automobiles may have stemmed from this through mere observation. Energy lost in a day’s work is regained through a temple visit and one is refreshed slightly. The positive energy that is spread out in the entire temple and especially around where the main idol is placed, are simply absorbed by one’s body and mind. Did you know, every Vaishnava(Vishnu devotees), “must” visit a Vishnu temple twice every day in their location. Our practices are NOT some hard and fast rules framed by 1 man and his followers or God’s words in somebody’s dreams. All the rituals, all the practices are, in reality, well researched, studied and scientifically backed thesis which form the ways of nature to lead a good healthy life. The scientific and research part of the practices are well camouflaged as “elder’s instructions” or “granny’s teaching’s” which should be obeyed as a mark of respect so as to once again, avoid stress to the mediocre brains.

4 D/FW HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY “Ekta Mandir” SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Deity Sponsorship Donations Mahalakshmi , Ganesh, Balaji, $5,000 Shiva, Karthikeya All other Deities in the Temple $2,500 Gopuram Sponsorship Donations Mahalakshmi , Ganesh, Balaji, $2,500 Shiva, Karthikeya All other Deities in the Temple $1,500 D/FW HINDU TEMPLE CULTURAL HALL MURALS PROJECT

Devotees can sponsor MURALS any of these amazing SIZE OF ART SIZE OF Artworks. Sponsor’s LOCATION AMOUNT WORK PLAQUE names will be displayed MEDITATION under the artwork. HALL $10,000 ONE SIZE 5X7 HCC HALL $2,500 4’ X 4’ 5 X 6 Please support the Mural HCC HALL $5,000 4 ’X 8’ 5 X 12 project by becoming a HCC HALL $7,500 4 ’X 2’ 5 X 18 sponsor. HCC HALL $10,000 4’ X 16’ 5 X 24 VIDYA VIKAS/ NEW YAGNASHALA DONATION PLAQUE TYPE APPROX PLAQUE SIZE ( INCHES ) $10,001 I AND SA 8 X 10 $5,001 I AND S 5 X 9 $2,501 I AND S 4 X 6 $1,001 I AND S 1 X 3 I-INDIVIDUAL SA-STAND ALONE S-SHARED

• Make a one time donation of $500 • Have an Archana performed for the Deity of choice • once a year for Birthday, Anniversary • Punyatithi for loved ones. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT D/FW HINDU TEMPLE @972-445-3111 LOCATED AT, 1605 N BRITAIN RD, IRVING TX 75061. www.dfwhindutemple.org 6 D/FW Hindu Temple Vidya Vikas School Corner We are very excited as we start another Vidya Vikas School Year 2012 – 2013. In keeping with our tradition of reopening the Sunday after the Labor Day weekend, = Vidya Vikas Classes for the 2012-2013 school year start on Sept 9, 2012.

We ended our 2011-2012 school year on a very upbeat note after the Successful and Entertaining Vidya Vikas Fundraiser and End of Year Activities. We have been working very hard throughout the summer to keep up the Online registration processing. We are pleased to announce that we now have an Online 2 Payment system to facilitate paying registration fees from the comfort of your home !!!

Please make sure you check out our website www.vidyavikas.dfwhindutemple.org for registration, classes and payment information.

For Fees payment, you may use the link provided upon logging to your account or go to www.donate.dfwhindutemple.org to make a payment for Vidya Vikas classes. We are seeing a very good number of registrations and are looking forward to working with all the children and adults. Classes are held on Sundays at the D/FW Hindu Temple. We offer classes for Children as well as Adults. Children - Ages 4 and above Religion Classes. Children - Ages 5 and above - Language - Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu and Oriya SAT, Art, Gita Chanting, Dance, Bhajan, Tabla, Harmonium, Keyboard & Havan Adults – Sanskrit, yoga, Bhajan, Geeta, Upanishad and Havan Questions/concerns/suggestions/Can Volunteer :

Email us at [email protected]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ D/FW Hindu Temple Youth Corner The Youth Group is a group of teens and pre-teens that get together to do community service with the D/FW Hindu Temple . Have fun while serving the community. We do a lot of fun activities as a group benefitting our Temple as well as the Community.

We will start the year off with our Very Favorite and Fun Activity - CAR WASH !!!! If you are 10 yrs of age or older and like to have fun while serving the Temple community email us at [email protected] 7 s D/FW HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY s “Ekta Mandir” Cordially invites you, your family and friends to NAVARATRI GARBA CELEBRATIONS Tuesday October 16th through Wednesday October 24th, 2012 In Cultural Hall at 8:30 p.m. every evening

C

Mataji Puja during Navaratri at 7:15 p.m. Lalita Sahasranamam every evening at 7:45 p.m. Durga Jagaran on Saturday October 20th , 2012 at 9:00 p.m. Evening Aarati Times will be at 7:00 p.m. during Navaratri Festival For more information, please call Temple at 972-445-3111 NAVACHANDI MAHA YAGNA On Monday October 22nd, 2012 Place: D/FW Hindu Temple Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Coconut offering 6:00 p.m. - Mahaprasad 6:30 p.m.

Suggested Donations: Mukhya Yajman $1001.00 Yajman $501.00 Mahaprasad $301.00 Donor $251.00 Sponsor $101.00 Garba Aarati $31.00

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN NAVCHANDI MAHA YAGNA 8 PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME BY FRIDAY OCTOBER 19TH, 2012

D/FW HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY “EKTA MANDIR”

Cordially Invites You, Your Family & Friends To participate in "Karva Chaturthi Puja"

On OnFriday, Saturday, November October 2nd, 15 th2012 at 4:00 at 4:00 PM andPM onwardsand onwards FirstFirst batchbatch isis atat 4:00 PMPM andand LastLast batchbatch starts starts at at 7:45 7:45 PM PM After After Aarti Aarati

Karva Chauth is an annual one-day festival celebrated by Hindu and some Sikh women in North India and parts of Pakistan in which married women fast from sunrise to moonrise for the safety and longevity of their husbands. The fast is observed in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Indian Punjab, Rajasthan, Western Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The festival falls on the fourth day after the full moon, in the Hindu lunisolar calendar month of Kartik, following the Autumnal Equinox. Sometimes, unmarried women observe the fast for their fiancÈs or desired husbands.

SHARADSHARAD PURNIMA- PURNIMA - GARBAGRABA RAAS RAAS

GARBA RAAS

ONON SATURDAY,SATURDAY, NOVEMBER OCTOBER 3rd, 15TH, 2012 ATAT 8:308:30 PM

9 Diwali Facts Diwali or Deepavali, the ëfestival of lightí signifies the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. India, being a diverse multi-cultural country, has varied interpretations of Diwali. Though the history, rituals and deities may vary as we move across the country, but the essence of the festival remains the same. The festival of lights is emblematic of the elimination of spiritual darkness. Diwali is the occasion to let the light of God, enter our hearts and minds while eliminating all the ignorance and unpleasantness within. So, enrich your knowledge by learning some interesting facts about the ëfestival of lightsí, Diwali given herein. Interesting Facts & Trivia About Diwali • Diwali is the largest and most famous holiday celebrated in India. It marks the Hindu New Year. • In Northern India, with the diminishing use of Sanskrit, the word ëDeepavalií got contracted to Diwali. • Diwali is generally associated with the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity. • Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days beginning in late Ashwin and ending in early Kartik. • In South India, Diwali is referred to as ëDeepavalií while Narakasura Vadha is the main celebration day. • In Hinduism, Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama after a 14 year exile according to North Indian traditions but down south, the death of the evil Narakasura at the hands of Lord Krishna is the main reason behind celebrating Diwali. • In Malaysia, Diwali is celebrated as ëHari Diwalií in the month of Aswayuja. It is a national public holiday in Malaysia. • Diwali is also celebrated in Nepal and is referred to as ëTiharí or ëSwantií. On the fourth day, the Hindu God of death, Yama is worshipped for a longer life of the people. • Diwali is celebrated as ëKali Pujaí in West Bengal by worshipping Goddess Kali. • Diwali is one of the oldest rituals for Kashmiri Pundits. There is mention of Diwali celebrations in the Nilmat Puran, and is referred to as ëSukhssuptikaí which literally means ëto sleep with happinessí. • Diwali celebrations in Orissa have a unique traditional practice of calling upon the spirits of their dead ancestors. They burn jute stems to shed light on the dark path of the spirits on their way to heaven. • Diwali marks the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. Farmers thank the deities for the harvest they had and pray for a prosperous harvesting season in the upcoming year. • Diwali is also a significant festival for the Sikhs since 1577 as the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on the day of Diwali. • The business community celebrates Diwali by opening new accounting books. Diwali marks the beginning of the new financial year; hence, traders and businessman start it by offering prayers to Lord Ganesha. • Lord Mahavira attained his Moksha or Nirvana on the day of Diwali, and so the Jain community in India celebrates the next day of Diwali as New Yearís Day. • ìShubh Deepavaliî is a customary greeting associated with Diwali, which literally means ìHave an auspicious Diwaliî.

10 D/FW HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY “Ekta Mandir” Cordially Invites You, Your Family And Your Friends To Join Us For THE DIWALI CELEBRATION

PROGRAM

Tuesday November 13th, 2012: DIWALI DAY 6:00 p.m. - Sharada Puja (Chopda Puja for Accounting Books for the New Year) (Sweets will be served for children, after Aarati)

Wednesday November 14th, 2012: NEW YEAR 2069

Saturday November 17, 2012: 6:30 PM: DIWALI DINNER Cultural Hall Delicious food and excellent entertainment (Diwali Dinner Tickets - $20.00 each, Available at the temple, and with the EC members)

Sunday November 18th, 2012: Diwali Celebration & Annakut 9:30 a.m. - Annakut at the Temple; 11:45 a.m. -Mahalakshmi Puja Volunteers for Annakut - Please contact Temple or one of the office bearers For more information, Please contact Temple at 972-445-3111 11 MANDALA PUJA

SIGNIFICANCE OF AYYAPPA VRATHAM

Ayyappa Vratham is a good entry point to the spiritual world, particularly to those who are used to rituals as the basis for devotion. According to the Sanatan Dharma, followed in India based on the Vedic traditions, man (jeevaatma) seeking the union with God (paramaatma) is the ultimate spiritual purpose of human life. However, there are several margas - pathways-to reach God-Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Gnana Yoga among others. Ayyappa Vratham probably falls under the Bhakti Yoga but uses elements from other yogic pathways as well. Using devotion to bring out the divinity in human is the aim of Ayyappa Vratham. In under-taking the Vratham, we follow several rituals to signify the transformation of human nature to the divine nature.

Before looking at how Ayyappa Vratham helps us to transform ourselves and go towards Godhood, it will be useful to consider basic definition of Godliness. In practical terms, to have the union with God is to say, that we have godly qualities. What are the main characteristics of Godly qualities? God is love and love is God -some will say. God is peaceful - some will say as they seek God to have their own peace. Others will say God is truth and they seek God by seeking truth and or being truthful. God is righteousness yet others will say. In observing Ayyappa Vratham we are expected to show love to everyone as God is in everyone, be peaceful with ourselves and with others, be truthful, follow righteousness and of course non-violence. While opinions vary on how one sees God, everyone will agree that God is more powerful than man is. This is partly because God can control the nature both internal and external, better than man can. External nature is the elements like earth, wind, rain, sun etc. Internal nature of man is the qualities that man is not in full control yet strives, as a spiritual seeker, or a Sadhak to have control over the senses. In observing Ayyappa Vratham we try to have this internal control so we can go towards attaining godly qualities. In essence, Ayyappa Vratham is a “dress rehearsal” for preparing ourselves to be in union with God himself by behaving with Godly qualities

Skanda Sashti of Lord Muruga

The Sashti falling in on the new moon period in the Hindu lunar month of Aippasi or Aswin (October - November) is the Kanda Sashti day. Skanda Sashti is a six-day festival which commemorates the destruction of a demon called Surapadman by Lord Muruga. The Kanda Sashti fast is observed in Arupadai Veedu of Murugan - the six sacred temples of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu. They are Tiruchendur (Sea shore Murugan temple near Tirunelveli), Thirupparankunram (temple near Madurai), Palani Hill Temple, Swami Malai (hill temple near Kumbakonam), Thiruthanigai (hill temple near Chennai) and Pazhamudhir Solai (hill temple near Madurai).

The demon was destroyed at Tiruchendur. On the Sashti day that is on the sixth day, the festival called Sura Samharam is celebrated in all Lord Murugan temples in large scale. During the festival, a battle is depicted with the giant images of four demons and they are made to appear before Lord Muruga. The Lord chases them and destroys the demons using his Vel or lance. The festival comes to an end on the next day with the Divine marriage (Tirukalyanam) between Lord Muruga and Valli. In Thiruchendur Murugan Temple and Pazhani Murugan Temple, the Kanda Sashti is celebrated in a grand manner.

People observe fast on the six days. On the day of Kanda Sashti, few people use only a single meal either in the noon or at night. Certain people choose only fruits and juices during the six days. The fasting comes to an end on the sixth day. 12 13 "EKTA MANDIR" CORDIALLY INVITES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

November 16TH -December 26TH 2012 Abhishekam , Alankaram & Archana EVERY DAY 6:30PM -7:30 PM Laksharchana - Saturday , December 15TH AT 5:30 PM -7:30 PM MAHA MANDALA PUJA Saturday December 22nd 5:30AM Ganapati Homam 6:30 AM Kettu –Nira 9:00 AM Abhishekam & Puja 12:30 PM AARATI FOLLOWED BY MAHAPRASAD

ABHISHEKAM $51.00 DEVOTEES PLEASE BRING FLOWERS & PUJA SAMAGRI Milk, Curd, Rosewater, Honey , Ghee, Sandal Powder, Naivedhyam, Fruits etc..

FOR MORE INFORMATION , CONTACT D/FW HINDU TEMPLE @972-445-3111

14 D/FW HINDU TEMPLE SOCEITY ìEKTA MANDIRî Cordially Invites You, Your Family & Friends To participate in The following Pujas.

TULSI VIVAH POOJA ON NOV. 23RD , FRIDAY AT 6:00PM

MAHA-SATYA-NARAYANA PUJA ASHOTOTTARA DAMPATI SAMETA (108 COUPLES)[email protected] SRIRAMA SAHITA SRI-SATYA-NARAYANA SWAMI POOJA ON SATURDAY, NOV. 24TH, AT 4:00PM SPONSOR $51.00 The Satyanarayana Puja is usually done on the Purnima day of every month. It is also done on special occasions as an offering of gratitude to the Lord. Maha-satya-narayana Pooja , done during Ekadhasi , is very auspicious to attend & participate to get the blessings of the lord.

Karthigai Karthigai Deepam KARTEEKA MASAM VISHESHA Deepam SAHASRA DEEPA ALANKAR PUJA ON SUNDAY, NOV. 25TH, AT 6:00PM

15 16 17 North Texas Indian Physicians’ Charitable Foundation MEDICAL CLINIC

With the Support of the D/FW Hindu Temple Society CLINIC DATES: 1st AND 3rd SUNDAY ( CLOSED ON LONG WEEKENDS) TIME: 10:00 AM TO 11:30 AM (Registration & Checking) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL CLINIC @ 972-870-9500 ON SPECIFIED DAYS. PLACE: 1706 NORTH BRITAIN RD., IRVING, TX. 75061 ( ACROSS FROM D/FW HINDU TEMPLE )

TEMPLE UPDATE

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a social benefit organization located in Dallas, Texas. The organization distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of nearly 1,000 feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. As part of the Temple Outreach program, 15 of our Temple devotees, including EC and BOT members and youth from our Youth Group, volunteered our services on July 10th. We helped them pack donated food boxes in one of their warehouses in South Dallas. The two and half hours spent volunteering was a very fulfilling and rewarding experience for all. We plan to volunteer for them again on Nov 10th, 2012, 1-3:30pm. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Swati Pandit : [email protected]

A group of about twenty devoted families decided to form a worship group in mid-1980s called, the ìFort Worth Vishnu Sahasranama Groupî. Over the last twenty five or so years, this group performed monthly Vishnu Sahasranama puja at membersí residences. Money contributed in the Aarathi plate during these monthly pujas was used to buy special ornaments to Balaji deities at the DFW Hindu Temple during the last five or six years. The Fort Worth Vishnu Sahasranama Group donated a little over $5,000 for Kiritam, Kavachas and other articles. Our priest, Ramanacharyulu garu, has bought some of these items on behalf of this group during his recent visit to INDIA. A recent photo of Lord Balaji with white stone studded jewelery is shown in the picture.D/FW Hindu Temple Management like to thank Fort Worth Vishnu Sahasranama group for Sponsoring Ornaments for Balaji.

PLEASE TUNE IN D/FW Hindu Temple Radio Program (Radio Archana) on AM 1110 D/FW Hindu Temple hosts a radio program at 1110 AM every Saturday from 4pm-5pm. In addition to Bhajans, we also give information about the Temple, the Temple activities and upcoming programs celebrated at the temple. Please join us every Saturday from 4-5pm. If any of you would like to sponsor the Radio Program for 30 min or 1 hour to celebrate the birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions of your dear ones please email: [email protected]. D/FW Temple thanks all those who have sponsored the Radio-Archana program for the past several months.

Every Sunday at 12 noon, Temple Aarati LIVE on FM 104.9 Temple greatly appreciates Radio FUNASIA Community involvement and the sponsorship for relay of Temple AARATI LIVE every Sunday at 12:00 Noon. For more information, please call Temple or Radio FUNASIA at 972-235-5555. 18 ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING

As per constitutional requirement, the Annual General Body Meeting of the D/FW Hindu Temple Society is scheduled for Sunday, December 9, 2012, at 1:00 P.M. in the Youth Center. All, Founder, Life, and Regular Members of the Society are requested to attend this meeting. Please consider this as a personal invitation.

AGENDA

1. Prayer and approval of the minutes of the Bi-Annual GB Meeting held on 6/10/2012 2. Present List of Elected EC & BOT Members FY 2013. 3 Presidentís Report 4. Chairmanís Message 5. Finance Report 6. New Business 7. Vote of Thanks & Adjourn

Sincerely, Anita Singhal President, D/FW Hindu Temple Society

Suggested Donations For Priestly Services For Puja Services at Home or Temple, please contact the Temple Office at Metro (972) 445-3111 Archana $ 11.00 Satynarayana Puja $51.00*** Archana (Sahasranama) $ 51.00 *** Shraaddha (Haranya) $75.00 Abhishekam (Sponsored) $ 51.00 *** Shraaddha (Tarapan) $31.00 Abhishekam (Temple Scheduled) $ 31.00 Upanayana Thread Ceremony $151.00 Havan (Private Sponsored) $151.00 Upanayana at Home $200.00 Havan (Temple Scheduled $101.00 Vahana Puja $35.00 Hair Offering (Mundan) $51.00 Wedding (Inside Temple) $401.00* Kalyana Utsavam in Temple $151.00 Wedding (Outside) $501.00** Namkaran (Naming Ceremony) $51.00 Sunday Mahaprasad sponsor $301.00 * Includes use of Yajnashala for the duration of wedding. ** One Pre-wedding Puja included. *** One family or individual (Private Puja) is $101.00 Advance payment required for all pujas outside Temple. Maximum 4 hours for outside pujas, other than weddings. Suggested donations for all puja services performed at home is $151.00 Suggested donations for all puja services performed outside Metroplex - check with Manager for details Cancellation fees applicable, see below

FACILITY RENTAL CHARGES Cultural Multipurpose Youth Time Yagnasala Class Rooms Center Facility (new) Center 8:00 am to 4:00 pm $700.00 $500.00 $400.00 $400.00 $40.00 8:00 am to midnight $1,200.00 $900.00 $651 for both per hour 6:00 pm to midnight $900.00 $650.00 These available during Temple Hours only Cleaning Charges $200.00 $100.00 $50.00 $50.00 Kitchen Use Charges Cooking $300.00 Kitchen available only with Hall Rental. Warming $150.00 Service charge of $200.00 for cleaning mandatory. CancellationCancellation fees applicable, fees applicable,check with Managersee below for details. 25%Full deposit Payment at the at time the of time booking, of booking, balance oth Oneerwise Week subject before to the cancellation use of facility CANCELLATION FEES updated Sept 2011 Prior To: 60 days - 10%, 30 days - 15%, 15 days - 20% , 1 - 15 days - No refund, reschedule updated August 201219 Irving, Texas Irving, 75015-4246 D/FW Hindu Temple Society P.O.154246 Box z “ Ekta Mandir ” z We cordially invite you to the following temple programs (monthly events are on page 2) Day Date Time Events Wednesday Oct 3 6:30 pm Sankatahara Chaturthi Saturday Oct 13 8:30 am Shani Trayodashi 6:30 pm Shiv Pradosham Puja Tuesday-Wed Oct16-24 7:00 pm Navaratri week/Temple Regular Aarati 7:15 pm Durga puja 7:45 pm Lalitha Sahasranamam 8:30 pm Garba-Rass Saturday Oct 20 10:00 am MoolaNakshatra Saraswati Puja 6:00 pm Shashti Puja 9:00 pm Durga Jagran Wednesday Oct 24 7:00 pm Ravan dahan 7:00 pm Lord Jagannatha Puja Saturday Oct 27 8:30 am Shani Trayodashi 6:30 pm Pradosham Shiv Puja Monday Oct 29 6:30 pm Satyanarayana Puja - Sharad Purnima Friday Nov 2 4:00 pm Karva Chauth Vrat 6:30 pm Sankatahara Chaturthi Saturday Nov 3 8:30 pm Sharad Pournima Garba Rass Saturday Nov 10 1:00:pm Nadopasana Venkat Kavi Day Sunday Nov 11 6:30 pm Pradosham Shiv Puja Tuesday Nov 13 6:00 pm Diwali, Dhanalakshmi puja, Chopada puja Wednesday Nov 14 6:30 pm Aakash Deepa Parambha Wednesday-Fri. Nov 14-16 6:30 pm Skanda Shashti Puja Friday –Wed Nov 16-Dec 26 6:30 pm Ayyappa Mandala puja begins 6:30 pm Mandala puja continues for 41 days Saturday Nov 17 10:00 am Nag Chaturthi puja 4:00 pm Skanda Shashti Puja 7:00 pm Diwali Dinner Sunday Nov 18 9:30 am Annakut, Diwali celebration 4:00 pm Skanda Shashti Puja Monday Nov 19 9:30 am Shiva Abhishek Friday Nov 23 11:00 am Kartiki Ekadashi Vitthal Abhishek 6:00 pm Tulasi Vivah Saturday Nov 24 8:30 am Sura Samharam Thiru Kalyanam 12:30 pm Jaganath Puja 4:00 pm Maha Satyanarayana Puja (108 Dampati) Sunday Nov25 12:30 pm Jaganath Puja 6:00 pm Sahasra Deepa puja 6:30 pm Pradosham Shiv Puja Monday Nov 26 9:30 am Shiva Abhishek Bharani Deepam 12:30 pm Jagnath Puja Tuesday Nov 27 12:30 pm Jaganath Puja 6:30 pm Murugan Puja Kartikai Deepam Wednesday Nov 28 12:30 pm Jaganath Puja 6:30 pm Satyanarayana Puja 7:00 pm Jaganath Puja Sunday Dec 2 6:30 pm Sankathara Chaturthi Monday Dec 3 9:30 am Shiva Abhishek Sunday Dec 9 1:00 pm Annual General Body Meeting Monday Dec 10 9:30 am Shiva Abhishek Tuesday Dec 11 6:30 pm Pradosham Shiv Puja Wednesday-Fri Dec 12 -Dec14 7:00 pm Jaganath Puja Saturday Dec 15 12:30 pm Jaganath Puja 5:30 pm Ayyappa Laksharchana Monday Dec 17 6:30 pm Shashti Puja Saturday Dec 22 6:00 am starts with Ganapathi Homam & Kettunira 8:45 am Gita Homam 9:00 am Ayyappa Maha Mandala Puja Celebration Sunday Dec 23 7:00 am Vaikuntha Ekadashi Balaji Abhishekam 8:30 am Gita reading 6:00 pm Vshnu sahasranam chanting Monday Dec 24 6:30 pm Pradosham Shiv Puja Thursday Dec 27 11:00 am Dattatreya Abhishek 6:00 pm Shiva Abhishek Arudra Darshanam

Friday Dec 28 6:30 pm Satyanarayana Puja

US Postage Paid Postage US

Permit No. 217 No. Permit Non-Profit Org Non-Profit

Sunday Dec 30 3:00 pm Shrinathji Aradhana ,Teaxas Irving Tuesday Jan 1 8:30 am New Year’s Day Ganesh Puja Sunday Jan 13 6:30 am Lohri Puja Monday Jan 14 6:30 pm Makara Sankranti For Information Please call Temple at 972-445-3111 For event details, fliers and temple calendar please visit our web-site at dfwhindutemple.org