March 2020 Issue 39 Newsletter from the Tri State Hindu Temple and Cultural Center Bhagavad Gita karmendriyani samyamya Important dates this month ya aste manasa smaran indriyarthan vimudhatma March 20-21: Holi mithyacharah sa uchyate March 24 : Ugadi .Vasantik Navratri SYNONYMS karma-indriyani—the five working sense organs; samyamya— controlling; yah—anyone who; aste—remains; manasa—by mind; smaran— thinking; indriya-arthan—sense objects; vimudha—foolish; atma— soul; mithya-charah —-pretender; sah—he; uchayate —is called. TRANSLATION One who restrains the senses and organs of action, but whose mind dwells on sense objects, certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender. Annual Golf Outing : Sunday, June 07, 2020 The Annual Golf Outing is one of our best fund raising events of the year, and with your support we want to make it yet another huge success. th This year’s event will be held on June 7 at Cambridge Golf Course in Evansville. The cost if 500 dollars per foursome. This includes entry to all events, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch and dinner. Registration and lunch : 12.15 pm Shotgun start : 1.00 pm All sponsors eligible to receive charitable income tax deduction Contact: Dr. M.S. Krishna, 812-386-6776, [email protected] Message from Panditji Rangwali Holi : Holi is a religious festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Diwali Holi is also known as festival of Colors. Places related to life of Lord Krishna are known as Braj regions. Holi rituals in Braj regions - Mathura, Vrindavan, Gowardhan, Gokul, Nandagaon and Barsana - are the most famous one. The Lathmar Holi - the traditional Holi festivity in Barsana is world famous. In most regions Holi festival is celebrated for two days. The first day is known as Jalanewali Holi- the day when Holi bonfire is done. This day is also known as Chhoti Holi and Holika Dahan. Holika Dahan is referred to Kama Dahanam in South India. The second day is known as Rangwali Holi - the day when people play with colored powder and colored water. Ugadi: Ugadi or Yugadi is celebrated as the first day of the year by people of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. On this day new Samvatsara, which is cycle of sixty years, starts. All sixty Samvatsara are identified by unique name. Ugadi is celebrated as Gudi padwa by the people of Maharashtra. Both Ugadi and Gudi Padwa are celebrated on the same day. Ugadi is New Year according to Luni-Solar calendar. The counter-part of Luni-Solar calendar is Solar calendar which considers only position of the Sun to divide the year into months and days. Because of that Hindu New Year is celebrated twice in the year with different names and at two different times of the year. The Hindu New Year based on Solar calendar is known as Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Bihu in Assam, Vaishakhi in Punjab, Pana Sankranti in Orissa and Nava Barsha in West Bengal. Most of the customs and rituals observed during Shardya Navratri are also observed during Chaitra Navratri. Ghatasthapana Muhurtaand Sandhi Puja Muhurta are more popular during Shardiya Navratri but these Muhurtas are also needed during Chaitra Navratri. Sivaratri Celebrations 2020 Holika Dahan March 2020 Temple Update on Corona Virus COVID-19 Dear Friends, Due to the unprecedented and constantly evolving situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we have taken several steps to minimize any potential spread of the virus. Effective immediately we are making the following changes:- 1) All regular and special events/pujas are cancelled until further notice. 2) All Private Poojas scheduled by devotees, both INSIDE the temple and OUTSIDE the temple stands cancelled. Please be aware that the Priest's health and safety is our top priority. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and will be happy to accommodate a new date in future. 3) TSHT will remain open during normal Temple hours. Following COVID-19 preventive guidelines & restrictions are being implemented effective immediately UNTIL APRIL 6th, 2020 (unless otherwise communicated). 4) In addition we request all Temple devotees & volunteers to adhere to the following social distancing protocol:- a. If you or household members have travelled to any areas with outbreaks of Coronavirus please refrain from visiting the Temple for a minimum of 14 days. b. If you are feeling sick or have flu like symptoms or have exposed yourself to any sick patient, please quarantine yourself at home and refrain from visiting the Temple for at least 14 days after your sickness improves. c . Everyone is requested to wash hands with soap at the Temple entrance. Please note that the above procedures can and will be changed based on the virus situation. With everyone's cooperation we believe we can help reduce the spread of this potentially deadly virus. We sincerely thank you for your understanding and cooperation. With Best Regards Temple Committee Please send your 2020 Membership to the Tri State Hindu Temple The Temple is our religious and cultural home in the Tri State area. The cultural and educational activities educate children about our heritage and religious values. The annual memberships help manage the day to day expenses of the Temple, including maintenance, utilities, puja supplies, security, priest expenses and others. We strongly urge every member of the community to consider an annual membership to well maintain our home for Lord Ganesha. Regular Membership (365 dollars per year) offers: 1. Opportunity to participate in Temple committees 2. Use Temple hall for ceremonies on priority basis 3. Discounted member rates for priest services, priority over nonmembers in availability of priest for puja services. 4. Opportunity for children to learn about their culture, religion and heritage (Sunday school, Summer Camps) 5. Opportunity for children to perform on stage for various functions/festivals in a friendly supportive environment 6. Opportunity to participate in decision making by voting in General Body Meetings 7. Run for office for temple management 8. Membership comes with one Temple Sponsored archana in the year for any special date/event. 9. Above all, your membership helps maintain a beautiful, vibrant temple for you and family Annual Puja Membership (1000 dollars per year): (Previously Premium Membership) In addition to above, premium membership includes sponsorship for several pujas and celebrations round the year, without having to pay the 51 dollar puja sponsorship each time. The names of family members with gotra of the Premium Members will be with the Priest to chant on all these pujas. (This includes monthly Ganesha Abhishekam, Vasant Panchami, Shiv Ratri, Ram Navami, Guru Poornima, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturti, Durgashtami, Dhanteras, Diwali Lakshmi puja, Hanuman Jayanti and others) Mail a check Drop it off in the Temple Hundi Pay online at our website www.tristatehindutemple.org Become a Member of TSHT today ….. Have suggestions for topics to be included in the newsletter? Please write to [email protected] This newsletter is a humble attempt to keep the community updated on the events and activities at the Tristate Hindu Temple and Cultural Center. We would like to hear your suggestions and comments. .