June 2021 - HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY

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

HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY

June 2021 Volume 34 Issue 6

4200 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109 Ph: (484) 616-9001

www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org

HTS PROGRAM UPDATES

Priest Anand ji (512) 545-9657

ALMANAC (Panchang)

June 05 : Ekadashi June 07 : Pradosham June 21 : Ekadashi June 22 : Pradosham June 27 : Sankata Haran Chaturthi June24 : Pournami

NEWS LETTER

Event

Date & Time

Facilitator

Pradosha Pooja Monday, June 07 & Tuesday, June 22

Anand ji (Please contact the priest for timings)

Ekadasi pooja Saturday, June 05 &

Monday, June 21

Anand ji (Please contact the priest or timings)

Sai Bhajan Saturday, June 12 (Flyer on page 7)

Pournami Pooja Thursday, June 24 Anand ji

(Please contact the priest or timings)

Sankat Haran Chaturthi Ganesh Pooja

Sunday, June 27 Anand ji

(Please contact the priest for timings)

JAIN ALMANAC

June 02 : Vaishakh Vad Aatham June 09 : Vaishakh Vad Chaudas June 15 : Jeth Sud Pacham June 18 : Jeth Sud Aatham June 23 : Jeth Sud Chaudas

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

HTS fundraiser event (Rang Barse) scheduled for June 19th has ben

postponed to later this year. Details to be announced shortly.

PUBLIC DARSHAN TIMINGS Daily: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Please note that the temple is NOT open to public during morning hours. Evening Arati will be at 7 p.m.

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TEMPLE ADMINISTRATION

Please visit “www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org” for CURRENT newsletter, donation links and other information.

Title: HTS News Letter Issue Date: Monthly / June 2021 Volume: 34; Issue # 6 Published by: Hindu Temple Society, 4200 Airport Road Allentown, PA 18109

Publication Identification

Executive Council

Board of Trustees

Temple Tax ID #23-2064729

Advertisement in the News Letter

Full Page(7.5” x 10”) $ 70 Half Page (7.5” x 5”) $ 50 Quarter Page (3.5” x 5”) $ 30

**No Eating in the Temple Sanctorum** Only small quantity of dry Prasad is allowed in the temple sanctorum. No plates and cutlery allowed. Please exit out of the temple sanctorum into the main lobby area to eat more Prasad. prasad.

Please refrain from bringing unused items from your home and leaving it at the temple in boxes labeled “FREE”.

Please remember! We all share the Temple. Let us work

together to keep it safe & clean. Remember to tidy rooms when

finished using them. Please refrain from horseplay on temple

property. Thank you for your understanding.

!!NO PARKING ON THE CURB!!

Note the yellow “no parking” lines next to the

curbside of the temple. Violations will be strictly

enforced by the local police.

President: Neela Bera 610-417-1068 Vice-President: Jitesh Rohatgi 862-324-2939 Secretary: Sarvana Govindasamy 732-379-9611 Treasurer: Venkat Balabhadra 610-530-7863 Asst. Treasurer: Ravi Chitluru 610-349-0662 Program Director: Nirmala Sivakumar 610-909-7865 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 Comm. Relations Dir: Vindya Raghavachari 610-709-4066 Webmaster: Sridhar Venkatnarayanan 630-363-0673 Asst. Webmaster: Sameer Phadke 484-695-8761 Members-at-large Nirav Shah 215-450-9987 Seema Garg 404-200-3239 Vinay Satyanarayan 610-628-4101 Shaila Shah 484-347-7749 Surender Dayal 610-392-5851 Program Committee Rimmi Dawar 610-261-2050 Pratima Patel 646-479-0142

Rakesh Shroff 610-504-9412 Sujata Singh 610-730-0845 Maintenance Committee Satish Patel 646-479-0142 Manish Desai 610-223-7367 Urvish Shah 484-695-3534 Babulal Chauhan

Chairman: Pattabi Neelakantan 610-351-1710 Vice Chairman: Chetan Pandya 610-336-0454 Secretary: Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210 Audit Committee: Chetan Pandya - Chair 610-336-0454 Bhailal Shah 610-398-1647 Education Committee: Gayatri Ray 610-776-8110 Finance Committee: Narsu Tatikola (484) 719 5409 Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210 Chatargy Kaza 610-614-0128 Membership and Community Relations: Chatargy Kaza 610-614-0128

Susheer Gandotra (570) 620 6219 Kripa Singh 610-391-1540

Projects & Planning Committee:

Kripa Singh – Chair 610-391-1540 Ajay Soni (908) 391 3959 Vikas Joshi 610-360-1210

Ex-Officio Member: Neela Bera 610-417-1068

RENTAL DONATIONS FOR THE TEMPLE (EFFECTIVE FROM JANUARY 2019)

Please e-mail your ad (in WORD / PUBLISHER ONLY) AS PER THE ABOVE GUIDELINES to the editor [email protected] Send the check payment (made out to Hindu Temple Society) directly to the Temple address. Please note the purpose of the check in the memo field.

Temple Hall & Lower Level 0 - 3 hours $250; Each additional hour $75

Temple Hall 0 - 2 hours $100; Each additional hour $50

Lower Level 0 - 3 hours $200; Each additional hour $75

The above rates are for Paid Members only. Non-Member rate is total bill + 20%. Charges are based on current (or) prior year Membership.

A refundable deposit of $100 is required to make the above reservations. Deposit will be returned in entirety if temple is left in the same condition as prior to the rental.

Payment in full is required two weeks prior to the rental day. Payment can be made online or with a check payable to HTS given to Temple Manage-ment.

Lower Level, Stage only 0 - 2 hours $30

Upper Level, Krishna Room 0 - 2 hours $20

Upper Level, Yamuna Room 0 - 2 hours $20

Upper Level, Ganga Room 0 - 2 hours $30

Folding Chairs Each $1

https://lvhts.org/

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Temple Timings From Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Dear Devotees,

Since many of our devotees have received two shots of the Covid-19 vac-cine, the temple management is increasing public darshan timings starting from Tuesday, June 1, 2021 as follows.

1) Temple hall capacity is limited to maximum 50 people (excluding priest).

2) Devotees must maintain reasonable social distancing from each other.

3) Devotees must wear a mask during the entire time in the temple premise.

All other guidelines will be same as before.

PUBLIC DARSHAN TIMINGS Daily: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Please note that the temple is NOT open to public during morning hours. Evening Arati will be at 7 p.m. Vahana Puja/Archana ends at 7:30 p.m.

TEMPLE EVENTS

Temple will perform select pujas/havan as per Hindu /Jain calendar. During these events, ONLY sponsoring family/families (2 members/family) are allowed in the temple. These events may be shared via Zoom, when possible.

Evening Arati will be Zoomed only Tuesday & Friday.

PRIVATE PUJAS/HAVAN Devotees can perform any religious function in the temple by contacting Priest Anandji at mutually convenient time. During these events, only sponsoring family or families are allowed in the temple.

Temple Management The Hindu Temple Society of Lehigh Valley

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BHAGAVAD GITA VICHAR GROUP

Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta Studies Group Sessions are held every Thursday, 7:00 PM

to 9:00 PM . Text: Bhagavad Gita Home Study by Swami Dayanandaji

Zoom Video Conference, call Dipakji (484)

597-0981

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

For all the HTS Poojas, please use Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139

Go to https://www.hindutemple-

lehighvalley.org/ to begin/renew HTS Annual Membership of $151

TEMPLE BULLETIN BOARD

PUJA PROGRAM

Sunday, June 27th Sankata Hara Chaturthi pooja (Please contact the priest for details)

Thursday, June 24th Satyanarayna pooja . ( Pournami pooja) (Please contact the priest for details)

Saturday, June 5th & Monday, June 21st

Ekadasi Pooja: Vishnu Sahasranama Archana followed by Aarthi. Sponsors are solicited Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139

Monday, June 7th & Tuesday, June 22nd

Pradosh Shiva Abhishek Devotees are welcome to sponsor the Pooja Zoom meeting ID 263 071 1139

https://www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org/


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Sai Bhajan

On Saturday, June 12th From: 5:00 PM To: 6:00 PM

Program: Namavali Bhajans Harati

Zoom Meeting ID is: 263 071 1139

Link to Zoom: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2630711139

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Balvihar Update

CONGRATULATIONS to the fresh batch of 2021 graduates!!

Arun Chinnakaruppan Namaste, my name is Arun Chinnakaruppan. I am currently a freshman at The Perkiomen School. Throughout all my years in Balvihar I have gained valuable knowledge that I can apply today and in my future years. Through learning Tamil, my mother tongue, I am able to read and write as well as communicate with my relatives in India. Learning Hinduism has been an incredible experience because not only did I understand it, but I applied it throughout my years of Balvihar. Balvihar also organizes many events, such as food and toy drives, that help people in need. This has influenced me to contribute to my community and taught me several life lessons. I am profoundly thankful and grateful for having a wonderful group of Gurus, Teachers and Mentors

Jessica Dhingra Namaste, my name is Jessica. Balvihar has taught me so much. Attending Balvihar helped me gain lots of knowledge, and it really helped me understand my religion.

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Balvihar Update


Ojas Karandikar I enjoyed meeting my friends in the temple every Balvihar Sunday. My favorite memories include celebrating Annual Day and performing various skits and shlokas. I am fortunate to have received advice and guidance by all the teachers during my Balvihar years

Suhani Makwana Namaste, my name is Suhani Makwana and I am a rising sophomore at Easton Area High School. Balvihar has become a very important part of my educational and spiritual life ever since I was a kid. Every Sunday that I wake up and have Balvihar, I am overcome with a feeling of security and zen. The temple has created such a strong imprint on my spiritual self, bringing me at ease, stopping the fast paced world for me to connect with god. It has taught me so much about my religion and helped me gain a better perspective through all of the new knowledge that I have gained. When I was younger, I used to dread going to Balvihar, not realizing how much it would help me, but now I’ve grown to love it and have learned to embrace my culture.

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Balvihar Update


Nikita Patel Namaste, my name is Nikita Patel and I am a rising sophomore at Wilson Highschool in Sinking Springs, PA. My life has changed ever since attending Balvihar. The hour commute never fazed me to miss a class. I am so thankful to have studied under such noble teachers. I have assimilated so much knowledge of the significance of cultural practices and the roots of my heritage. The Balvihar temple is truly a magical place and has made me the person I am today. Thank you to all the volunteers that make this program possible

Nirva Pathak Namaste, my name is Nirva Pathak and I am a freshman at Parkland Highschool. My favorite part of my Balvihar experience was meeting people who had the same interests as me as we could help each other grow into better people. I loved having deep and intellectual conversations in religion class were we could find how these subjects affected us personally. Balvihar has become a home away from home and I truly cannot believe that I am a graduate. Throughout previous years of Balvihar I have looked up to the graduates, unbelievably I am one now. I want to thank all of my teachers and my friends for making my Balvihar experience unforgettable. Thank you!

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Balvihar Update


Saloni Rammohan I joined Balvihar in 4th grade, and I have learnt many things during my time here. The teachers have always been so nice and welcoming, and they have taught me things that I can carry with me for my whole life. Every step of the way, I’ve learned different life lessons, and it’s all because Balvihar introduced me to the depths of my culture, and how to really respect it

Neil Rana Namaste, My name is Neil Rana and my Balvihar experience was a good one. I had a lot of fun during these nine years where I got to make friends and perceive Hinduism in a whole new way. I was able to participate in the Ravan Dahan as Rama and that is one of my fondest memories. I remember getting excited for Diwali celebrations and games. I learned about our morals and practices. Many people practice religious methods without ever knowing why we do them.

Balvihar taught me what we do and why we do it. If I had to do it again, I would be glad to do so. I will never forget what Balvihar gave

to me.

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Balvihar Update


Aastha Srivastava Namaste everyone, my name is Aastha Srivastava. I started coming to Balvihar with my elder brother since I was a baby. Now that I am graduating, I would like to mention that I learned many valuable lessons in Balvihar, such as Hindi and Dharma. I truly enjoyed all the festivals that we celebrated together. I am thankful for all the wonderful teachers who have treated me as their own child.

Dhwaith Shyamkumar Namaste. Balvihar has instilled dedication in my life. For the past 9 years my brother and I have been studying and understanding our

culture better.

This program has taught me the way of life. It taught what it means to be a Hindu and how I should cherish this religion and do my best to

live up to my values and actions.

I have made so many good friends and I would not give up the past 9 years for anything in the world.

As a graduating student, I am looking forward

to come back and teach at Balvihar. I also hope that I can carry on these morals in my life and put them into good use.

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Balvihar Update

Allentown Hindu Temple Society senior students from local high schools unite to help fight the COVID-19 surge in India.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread through the entire globe ravaging the healthcare systems and bringing to light the economic and racial disparities present in developing and developed nations alike. The second wave in India is raging out of control partly due to the population of 1.3 billion people. Overcrowded living conditions, poverty and poor access to healthcare has fueled the spread of the virus. The situation in India is dire and the cry for help has mobilized many volunteer organizations to help. The Hindu Temple Society in Allentown, PA has partnered with the Sewa International, a US headquartered Hindu faith-based humanitarian non-profit service organization in the “Help India defeat COVID-19” endeavor. Donations collected are used to buy supplies like oxygen concentrators, ventilators, medical kits, essential survival kits and help fund the running of orphanages and senior care facilities. In addition, donations will help local volunteers educate the public on decreasing the spread of the virus, promote vaccinations with the ultimate goal of controlling the spread of the virus and decreasing deaths.

The Hindu Temple Society Balvihar (Sunday School) graduating students had an opportunity to put into action nine years of learning universal human values that are the essence of Hinduism. The youngsters jumped on the opportunity to do their part and together worked on influencing the Lehigh Valley community to raise donations to help India fight this pandemic. They each worked the phones, called friends and family helping the Hindu Temple Society collect over $15,000. Aastha Srivastava walked door-to-door and collected $5 and $10 from her generous neighbors for a total of $750. Arun Chinnakaruppan suggested “Dress Down for a Cause” day at his school, raising over $600 in addition to $1,000 from neighbors. Jessica Dhingra raised over $475, Suhani Makwana raised more than $450, Saloni Rammohan raised over $1,775, Dhwaith Shyamkumar raised $630, rest of the seniors raised above $150 each. The lesson here is the generosity of Balvihar Families, who encouraged our kids and their neighbors and community members to donate.

The Hindu Temple Society Balvihar seniors participated in what is now the second Akshaya Tritiya Charity Drive. An auspicious day in the month of May, that marks giving, sharing, and increasing one’s good deeds. Even in quarantine, our seniors are capable of graduating as they learn and implement Sanatana Dharma.

Namaste.

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Please become a paid member or renew your membership. Start every January by mailing your membership check of $151 per family. For your convenience, we accept all major credit cards at our secure website https://www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org/ (Click on Make a Donation) or mail your check to the temple address (payable to “Hindu Temple Society”).

Name: ___________________________________________________ Spouse Name: ___________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Telephone: _______________________ E-mail: _______________________ Membership : $151 ___ Gift For a Day: $401 ____ Patron: $5000 ___

Gift for Multiple Days: $1000 ____ $2000 ____ Other: $ _______

Total Donation: $ ________

Comments:

Please mail your Tax Deductible Donation to HTS at the above address OR go to our website to pay by credit card.

https://www.hindutemple-lehighvalley.org/ (Click on Make a Donation)



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The Hindu Temple Society 4200 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109 (610) 264-2810 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED......

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Lehigh Valley, PA

Permit No.22

Temple: (484) 616 9001

Aug 30 2021: Janmashtami

Sep 10 2021: Ganesh Chaturthi

Oct 7 to 14 2021: Navratri

Oct 15 2021: Dussehra

Oct 24 2021: Karwa Chauth

Nov 2 2021: Dhanteras

Nov 4 2021: Diwali

Mark your calendar for these grand HTS events & look out

for further updates in the HTS email blasts newsletter & WhatsApp group!

Upcoming 2021 HTS Events

Scan the above QR code with your phone’s camera to join the HTS Events & News WhatsApp group!

Let’s stay connected.

June 2021 - HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY

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