Issue 4 11

Newsletter from

The Tristate

Hindu Temple

& Cultural

Center

January 2017

Bhagavad Gita

nainam chindanti shastrani nainam dahati pavakah

na chainam kledayanty apo na sosayati marutah

The soul can never be pierced by any weapon, nor can he be burned by fire,

nor moistened by water, nor dried by the wind.

Message from Panditji, Shri Surendra Mishra:

Vaikuntha Ekadashi falls during Dhanur solar month in Hindu calendar. Dhanurmasa is known as

Margazhi month in Tamil Calendar. It is believed that Vaikuntha Dwaram or the gate of Lord's inner sanctum is

opened on this day and devotees who observe fast on Vaikuntha Ekadashi attain salvation. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is

very important for Tirumala Venkateswara Temple at Tirupati and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam.

Pongal is a Hindu festival observed by people of Tamil Nadu. Pongal is a four days festival and the most

important day of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal is the second day of the four days festivity and is

also celebrated as Sankranti. The same day is observed as Makar Sankranti in North Indian states when people

take holy dip in river Ganges.

Makar Sankranti or Sankranthi: The time between Makar Sankranti and 40 Ghatis (roughly 16 hours for

Indian locations, 1 Ghati duration is 24 minutes) from the time of Makar Sankranti is considered good for

auspicious work. This duration of forty Ghatis is known as Punya Kaal. Sankranti activities, like taking bath,

offering Naivedhya to Lord Surya, offering charity or Dakshina, performing Shraddha rituals and breaking fast or

Parana, should be done during Punya Kaal.

TRISTATE HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER/ Issue # 4 2

Elections to the Temple Executive Committee:

On December 3rd, elections for two positions in the Temple Executive Committee were held. We would like to

thank the Election Committee (Mr. Srinivas Kalva, Dr. Mahesh Moolani, Mr. Arun Arunachalam and Mr. Nilesh

Sangoi) for the smooth process, right from invitation for nominations to the announcement of election results.

We sincerely thank Dr. Mahendra Sanapati and Mrs. Sushma Jain for their time and selfless service for the

temple during the last three years as members of the temple EC. The newly elected members are Mrs. Sridevi

Ravipati and Mr. Harakh Maru.

As you know, the Executive Committee takes care of the day to day governance and near-term operational

management of the temple, and acts in consultation with and implements the policy priorities set by the Board

of Trustees. Thank you Mrs. Sridevi and Mr. Maru for volunteering your service and time for the TriState

Hindu Temple community.

Vedic Heritage Sunday school:

Craft session in progress. The Vedic Heritage Sunday School is held at the temple from 5-6.30 pm. The

schedule includes yoga, crafts/art/coloring session, shloka and bhajan lessons, basics of the Hindi language, and

stories/snack session. Please bring your children for the classes and introduce them to our cultural and

religious heritage.

TRISTATE HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER/ Issue # 4 3

2016: The year in pictures

TRISTATE HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER/ Issue # 4 4

Updates on the Temple Expansion Plan:

General Body Meeting held on Dec 3, 2016 voted unanimously to approve the plans for Temple Expansion

Total expense for Temple Expansion in 3 phases: 2.5 million dollars

Phase 1 includes (1) New temple building, (2) Redesigned parking lots, (3) Relocated Septic system, (4)

Lake and landscaping and (5) Fencing and security: 2 million dollars.

The General Body decided to start construction once we have enough funds in cash or pledges

(close to 2 million dollars)

TRISTATE HINDU TEMPLE AND CULTURAL CENTER/ Issue # 4 5

Anticipated start of construction : Spring- Summer 2017

TARGET: 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS

THE FUND RAISING COMMITTEE IS WORKING HARD TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF YOU

AND GET YOUR BLESSINGS AND DONATIONS FOR THE TEMPLE EXPANSION.

THE COLLECTED CASH AND PLEDGES AT THIS TIME STAND CLOSE TO

50% OF OUR TARGET

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY TO TEMPLE EXPANSION FUND

We need

A BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE FOR WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS FUNCTIONS

A LANDMARK STRUCTURE TO DISPLAY OUR HERITAGE WITH PRIDE

A PLACE TO TEACH HINDU TRADITIONS AND CULTURE TO OUR CHILDREN, DEVELOP THEIR IDENTITY

AND ABOVE ALL – A BEAUTIFUL HOME FOR LORD GANESHA

You can leave a check in the temple, get a pledge form from the temple website, talk to any member of the temple committees or even donate appreciated securities. No donation is too small. All donations to the temple are tax

deductible

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

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. Please feel free to write to us at tristate.temple@gmail.com