1. religion and spirituality
2. hinduism

HINDU TEMPLE SOCIETY
of Lehigh Valley
4200 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109 Ph: (610) 264-2810
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2015

Volume 27 Issue 2
Om asato maa sadgamaya, tamaso maa jyotirgamaya, mrtyormaa amrtam gamaya.....Om Saantih,Saantih,Saantih*
TEMPLE PROGRAMS
ALMANAC (Panchang)
Every Tuesday
11:00 AM
Jain Samuhik Samayik
Every Tuesday
7:15 PM
Hanuman Chalisa &
Sri Ram Amritvani Recitation
Every Thursday
7:30 PM
Gita Study Group
(See page 5 for details)
Every Friday
7:00 PM
Vishnu Sahasranamam chanting
Every Saturday
9:30 AM
Gita Study Group.
(See page 5 for details)
Every Sunday
8:45 AM-10:00 AM
Yoga Class
(See page 5 for details)
Feb 3, Tuesday
6:30 PM
Pournima Satyanarayan Puja
Feb 7, Saturday
4:30 PM
(Snacks at 3:00 PM)
Pongal/Sankranti Celebration (snow
date Feb 8, Sunday)
Feb 8, Sunday
Feb 22, Sunday
10:00 AM—1:00 PM
Bal Vihar
Feb 14, Sunday
11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Kirtan Langar
(Details see Page 5)
Feb 15, Sunday
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Jain Snatra Puja followed by lunch
Feb 16, Monday
7:00 PM
Pradosha Puja
Feb 17, Tuesday
7:30 PM
Mahashivratri Puja
(See page 4 for details)
Feb 22, Sunday
3:00 PM
Sunder Kanda Path recitation
Feb 3: Magha Pournima
Feb 7: Sankashti Chaturthi
Feb 15: Ekadashi
Feb 15: Adinath Keval Ghyan
Kalyank
Feb 16: Pradosham
Feb 17: Maha Shivrathri
Feb 18: Amavasya
Feb 20: Ekasashi
FORTHCOMING PROGRAMS
March 5: Holi Puja
March 28: Rama Navami Puja
April 11: Tamil Puthandu
May 2: Holi Spring Festival at
Saucon Valley High School.
Children who turn 6 in 2015 are
eligible to participate. Contact the
program director at
[email protected].
May 16: Thyagaraja Aradhana
TEMPLE TIMINGS
Priests: Sri. Shyam Prasad Kannadaguli—Cell: (610) 709 7787 and Dilip Bhatt
Monday - Friday :
10:00 AM - 12:05 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Daily Aarti Timings: 10.00 AM & 7:30 PM
6:00 PM
-
9:00 PM
Please contact the editor at 610. 868.3771 or send e-mail to [email protected] by the 10th of each month to publish in the following
newsletter. Any emails received after the 10h cannot be published in the following month For further details, please see next page.
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TEMPLE ADMINISTRATION
Executive Council
An Important Announcement
In order to reduce expenses, The Hindu Temple Society has decided
NOT to mail Annual Reports. If you are a paid member of HTS, and
would like to receive an electronic copy of the annual reports, please
email Mr. Raman Malhotra at [email protected]
!!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.
**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.
Please refrain from bringing unused items from
your home and leaving it at the temple in boxes
Advertisement in the News Letter
Full Page(7.5” x 10”) $ 150
Half Page (7.5” x 5”) $ 100
Quarter Page (3.5” x 5”) $ 50
Temple Tax ID
#23-2064729
Please e-mail your ad (in WORD / PUBLISHER ONLY) AS PER
THE ABOVE GUIDELINES to the editor [email protected],
and send the check payment (made out to Hindu Temple
Society) directly to the temple address. Please enter the
purpose of the check in the memo field.
RENTAL AND OTHER CHARGES FOR THE TEMPLE
(EFFECTIVE FROM AUGUST 2014)
MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS
Main Level, Lower Level & Kitchen (6 hrs.):
$500
$600
Main Temple Hall (up to 4 hrs.)
$200
$300
Lower Level & Kitchen (6 hrs.):
$350
$450
Lower Level without kitchen (6 hrs.): (Fri,Sat,Sun) $250
$350
Lower Level without kitchen (6 hrs..): (Mon-Thu)
(Except Holidays)
$150
$250
Kitchen only ( 6hrs):
$150
$250
Upper Level, Krishna Room (2 hrs or less)
$15
$25
Upper Level, Yamuna Room (2 hrs or less)
$15
$25
Upper Level, Ganga Room (2hrs or less)
$25
$35
Lower Level, Stage Only (2 hrs or less)
$25
$35
A refundable deposit of $100 is required. Each additional hour is $50/hour.
Use of the audio system in the temple:
$50
$75
*** Audio system must be operated by a qualified person only. ***
Chair - Each
Table - Each
$0.50
$5
$0.60
$6
President: Subash Asnani 610-530-0389
Vice-President: Atul Dalal 610-395-3375
Secretary: Pratix Parikh 610-360-3217
Treasurer: Narayanan Soundrarajan 484-619-9984
Program Director: Shaila Shah 610-706-3233
Editor: Srini Ranganna 610-868-3771
Balvihar Director: Ashok Khandelwal 610-351-0071
Balvihar Asst. Dir.: Jitesh Rohatgi 610-758-8391
Community Relations Director: Surender Dayal 610706-4584
Webmaster: Anand Chavan 610-762-0041
Members-at-large
Hammi Kapoor 610-504-1774
Joita Bhattachrya 732-247-0441
Raj Kuppuswamy 610-481-8919
Rajul Shah 610-868-0586
Sougata Roy 610-866-2151
Susheer Gandotra 570-620-6219
Program Committee
Jyoti Asnani 610-530-0389
Rasna Patel 732-648-4918
Rimmi Dawar 610-261-2050
Sukanti Sahoo 570-668-0811
Vandana Negandhi 610-530-7918
Editorial Committee
Amita Pallod 610-336-0633
Nivedita Kannadaguli 610-709-7787
Umadevi Ranganna 610-868-3771
Treasurer Committee
Kamacharulu V Ramoju 678-779-1606
Board of Trustees
Chairman:
Raman Malhotra 610-433-8221
Vice Chairman:
Neela Bera 610-861-0560
Secretary:
Rajesh Jain: 610-398-1095
Finance Committee & Projects & Planning Committee:
Vikas Joshi 610-398-8840
Chandra Swaminathan 610-481-9528
Audit Committee:
Parveen Gupta 610-366-1618
Education Committee:
Kamlesh Ashar 610-366-7257
Membership and Community Relations:
Irawathy Chalikonda 610-867-8236
Members:
Kris Kapoor 610-868-9305
Manoj Mittal 610-762-6360
Ex-Officio Member:
Subash Asnani 610-530-0389
Publication Identification
Title: HTS News Letter
Issue Date: Monthly / February 2015
Issue No: Volume:27; Issue # 2
Published by: Hindu Temple Society,
4200 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109
Visit “www.hindutempleallentown.org”
for CURRENT newsletter, donation and other information
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Sankranti program starts at 3:00 pm with snacks. Cultural program starts at 4:30 pm.
3
MAHASHIVRATHRI PUJA
HTS Community Corner
Tuesday, February 17th
7:00 to 8:30 PM
To get HTS announcements and updates visit:
 HTS APP
Priest Shri Shyam Prasad Kannadaguli will be
performing the puja.
Puja will include Rudra Abhishekam to Shiva
Lingam with chanting of Rudram.
Devotees will have the opportunity to participate in the Abhishekam and Ashtothra Puja.
Devotees can also sponsor Archana to Lord
Shiva.
Puja will be followed by simple Prasad.



To contact HTS office bearers or for feedback
use:


president@hindutemple allentown.org
vicepresident@hindutempleallen
town .org
progdirector@hindutempleallen town.org
[email protected]


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HTS website: www.hindutempleallentown.org
Radio announcements every Saturday 8.a.m to
10. a.m. on FM 91.7 FM
TEMPLE BULLETIN BOARD
BHAGAVAD GITA VICHAR GROUP
GITA HOME STUDY
TEMPLE BULLETIN BOARD
Bhagavad Gita and Vedanta Studies Group
CLASSES
Sessions are held every Saturday, 10AM to
11:30 AM in the Krishna Room of the Temple, since 2010.
Text : Bhagavad Gita Home Study by
Swami Dayanandaji
For detailed information, please go to:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/hts
-gita-study
Everybody with background and interest in
these studies is welcome to join any time.
For additional questions, please contact :
Purshottam Ghai , Tel 610-398-1510
E-mail: [email protected]
YOGA CLASSES
Organized by Prakash
Kutagolla every Thursday
from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. at the
Temple. For more info
please contact:
Prakash Kutagolla at
[email protected] or
Phone: 610-691-5759
KIRTAN-LANGER
Yoga, Pranayama, Chakra
balancing and Meditation
Class
Kirtan and Bhajans by Harpal
Singhji in the Allentown Hindu
Temple on Saturday February
14th
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed
by Langar.
Yoga class is held every Sunday from
8:45am to 10:00am in the Ganga Room
The class focuses on simple postures,
pranayama, chakra balancing and
meditation.
Every one is welcome to join.
There is a small charge for the class payable to the Hindu Temple.
For more information contact either
(Sponsored by Dr J.M.Sethi,Kerry and Henna
Sethi)
Hammi Kapoor at [email protected]
For information please call
Rimmi Dawar at: 610-554-5491
Phone:610-504-1774 or
Atul Thakur at [email protected]
Phone: 610-360-2024
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ELECTIONS FOR HTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The next HTS Board will be elected for a two year term in April, 2015.
Following is the list of nominating committee members formed to present the slate at the General
Body meeting to be held in April 2015. Please call any of the members with your nominations.
Surender Dayal
610-706-4584
Sougata Roy
610-866-2151
Vandana Negandhi
610-530-7918
Aruna Pendurthi
610-509-0791
Chinna Chinnakaruppan
908-723-7885
Team IAALV Cordially Invites You To
LEHIGH VALLEY’s 66th REPUBLIC DAY of INDIA CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
WHITAKER AUDITORIUM, LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA
PROGRAM: 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Cultural: 1:00 - 2:30PM; Quiz: 2:30 – 4:00PM;
Social & Snacks: 4:00 - 5:00PM
Quiz Registration: Registration are open now. Enroll your child or children to our popular, fun filled learning activity: the quiz competition: www.iaalv.org/quiz
For further info; Visit www.iaalv.org or send an e-mail to [email protected]
Sponsored Advertisement
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Highlights of 2014
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Highlights of 2014
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BEGINNING OF HINDU TEMPLE (Part 3)
During our last two sessions, we have heard from Dr. R.P.Sinha, P.L.Ghai, Indra Ghai, Gul Asnani, Gopal Kriss.
Kapoor, Mahesh Vyas and others about Indian community during sixties and seventies and how from Bharatiya
Cultural Society (BCS), an existing society established by American families, gradually transformed into Hindu
Temple Society. During third session, we were joined by Dipak C. Shah, Kripa Singh, Rashmi Sheth, Indra Ghai
and others, who played important role during early eighties and nineties.
Dipak C, Shah, president 1982-84, came to Lehigh Valley, early sixties. It was rare at that time to meet anybody
from India on street and unfamiliar dress code may invite unfavorable comments from the locals, especially for
the ladies. With this backdrop, few Indian families befriended with one another and from the urge to follow their
religious and cultural heritage, formed the Hindu Temple Society in 1977. Fortunately they found a Unitarian
Church in Fountain hill, Bethlehem, where families could meet once a month for pujas and other activities like
Holi Festival. Bhanu Shankar Shukla, from Easton, and another Priest from New York used to come to serve as a
priest. Holi festival was one of the fundraiser for HTS fund and meeting families in festive mood. Unitarian
Church was receptive to our religion and culture and community was fortunate enough at that time to pursue their
religious activities. Around 30-40 people used to attend the pujas and other celebration.
Holi festival at that time was one of the main fundraiser. Gate money used to meet the expenses of the event. Advertisement money was kept for temple fund. Dipak, Nitin and others collected advertisement from various local
businesses for the small brochure, which was typed and printed free by taking favor from office secretaries and
colleagues. This help was received for Hindu Temple Quarterly News Letter and Annual Report.
Rohini Sinha brought out a point that Temple Committee was serious about maintaining the transparency of the
accounting and Annual Report reflects that listing of donors. Dipak mentioned that he got a poignant note from
Mona Asnani, young lady, questioning the justification of grouping the donors name according to donation
amount. “Is not every amount important”? She asked. Dipak was able to explain how little extra recognition goes
a long way to raise donation in real world.
During that time, there was no catering of Indian food available, so cooking was done by ladies. Some time it was
chaotic situation, but everybody managed the situation.
Other activity was to meet for Gita class once a month at Dipak’s residence and Janani Cleary, an American lady
who became indoctrinated in Hindu religion, was teacher.
Highlight of this period was Ground Breaking Ceremony on 27, August, 1983, which was on target as planned.
Senior members like Mohan Jain was very appreciative of meeting the target date.
Fundraising for building of the temple was an important activity. Nitin Patel and many others worked very hard to
raise money for the fund. Many community members were very generous with their contribution along with other
members who helped.
Dipak observed that community at that time was small and diverse from east, west, north and south of India and
young, unfamiliar with one another, inexperienced trying to settle in new land. Now community has aged forty
plus years and acquired wisdom. Many of the problem then would have been solved differently now with the understanding and intimacy developed between families now.
Dipak observed that bringing in new people into the organization is very important. New people bring in new ideas and should be allowed to work independently and without outside interference. They will likely make mistakes. But they will also learn from those mistakes.
continued on next page ...
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BEGINNING OF HINDU TEMPLE (Part 3)
Kripa Singh moved in Lehigh Valley in October, 1979. He was elected president of Indian Association in
Lehigh Valley 1982 thru 1984. Ajit Manocha, a friend of Kripa convinced him to come and join Hindu Temple Executive Committee. Kripa was elected Vice President of Executive Committee in 1984, Gul Asnani
being the President. Same time Kripa was given the responsibility of Chairman of Building Committee. As P
L Ghai became occupied with his professional responsibility, he gave charge of building committee to Kripa.
Construction of the temple started on December 6, 1984.We mentioned before Cris Porter was the Architect
Company and P.N.Berry was the Project Consultant. As Kripa got the drawing, he noticed that Front face of
the temple was facing the parking lot and back face of the temple facing the road. Rashmi mentioned it was
not mistake. This was decided according to religious belief that face of the deities should face certain direction, a common practice in India. After farther consultation with Swami Chinmayananda, the direction of the
front face was reversed. Kripa went to Municipality of Hanover Township for building permit before construction can begin. Boyes and Holsinger was the law firm representing the Hindu Temple Society. The
drawing was approved and construction started.
Construction progresses without any significant problem and temple building was ready to celebrate opening
in 1985. Few milestone dates in 1985 are noted below.
 Pran Prathistha for Sri Radha-Krishna December 22, 1985
 Sthapna Shri Guru Granth Sahib December 28, 1985
 Gabhara Opening and Snatra Puja December 29, 1985
 Shri Bhawan Mahavir Prathishta Mahostsav June, 14, 1986
When such a diverse culture and religion meet in one place, nothing goes smooth. Kripa tells the issues
raised with the different heights of deities and layout. Finally most being engineers, solved the problem by
adjusting the altar’s base here and there and resolved the issues.
In December 1985, Gul Ashnani excused himself from the post of President and Kripa became the President,
Rashmi Sheth and Nitin Patel became Secretary and Treasurer respectively. In 1986 Kripa was elected President by General Body, Rashmi Vice President and Nitin Treasurer and Pratima Patel Program Director.
During that period, there was no in-house priest. Bhanu Shankar Suklaji occasionally came from Easton to
conduct pujas. Committee members took their turn to open temple in the evening. For a short time a Lehigh
University student, Shri Nivas stayed in the temple and opened the temple in the morning. For some time Raman Bhai Bhatt from New Jersey became priest and stayed in temple.
Situation changed when a visiting priest from Harare, Anil Bhai Suklaji was introduced by Arvind Bhai Desai to Kripa Singh. Kripa ji interviewed Anil Bhai and hired him as a resident priest in 1987. In 1988 Kripa
requested Rashmi to be in charge of Shukla ji Green Card issue and his family relocation from Africa to
Lehigh Valley. After 25 years of illustrious service, Anil Bhai retired this year leaving behind lot of memory
and interesting story for which he will be remembered for long time. Community celebrated his farewell in
December2014.
Another milestone event is starting of Hindu Youth Association (HYA) for the kids above fourteen years.
Kunjan Rawal approached Pratima Patel with the idea to form a group, who are crossing the Balvihar age
group 6-14 years, to stay engaged with activities. Pratima brought Kunjan to executive committee meeting to
present the case. President Kripa discussed the issue in the committee and the members of committee unanimously agreed to start the Hindu Youth Association. A startup fund of $100 was provided to association.
Kunjan Rawal was first Director of the HYA. We all know now what a successful group is HYA.
continued on page …
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BEGINNING OF HINDU TEMPLE (Part 3)
In 1987 community celebrated another first event, retirement of Dr. Mohan Jain, with Gazal night by Kanhiya
Sugandh group.
Vimla Sinha proposed to start India Bazar in temple premises, which is still a very popular event every year and
fund raiser.
Kripa observed that temple was run with strict principle and moral values, no financial misappropriation or alcohol or other vices. There may be difference of opinion, but free of politics. Even Shuklaji treated everybody with
same fervor whether someone is newcomer or president of the temple.
Kripa’s second term ended in 1988 and Rashmi Sheth became President from 1988-90. Kripa came back to take
the responsibility of building expansion activities during 1990 as Rashmi and his committee made him Chairman
of Building Committee and first expansion was completed in 1992. Mr. P. Berry was the consultant for the project and Portner as architectural engineering firm. Later on Kripa Singh became the Chairman of the Board and
continued for two terms.
Rashmi Sheth was elected President on May, 1988 for two years term. He moved in Lehigh Valley in 1974 and
was involved in temple activities at various capacities. He had a good team with Vimlaji, Ramon Malhotra and
others. They Involved Bengali community to celebrate Saraswati puja in 1989. Durga puja followed in 1995.
Both celebration are still going on and have increased attendance.
The most important task was undertaken that time is to revise constitution which was drawn in 1977, Mohan
Jain, Rohini Sinha, Vhaskar Ghate and Rashmi worked for some time to come up with an expanded version. At
the final approval day at the General Body meeting, issue was raised regarding consuming alcohol and meat
within temple premises.
After spirited debate, Constitution was revised and new section added barring meat and alcohol during any program sponsored by Hindu Temple within or outside temple premises. In the By Laws, a new Section III Dietary
Regulations was added which say:
“Hindu Temple Society shall not prepare, serve or consume meat or alcohol beverages or any intoxicants
during any of its sponsored events. Meat, alcoholic beverages or any intoxicants shall not be prepared,
served or consumed on all properties owned, operated or leased by Hindu Temple Society.”
Few important milestone dates:
 Temple Expansion Inauguration October, 1992
 Landscaping August, 1993
 Mortgage Paid Off July, 1997
 Interior Redecoration March, 1999
Since few President could not attend, we will now skip few years and hear from Indra Ghai, who was President
1998-2000. Indraji was active with the temple activities since sixties and held various position in committees.
When she became President, funding was an issue. She initiated various programs to increase the funds. Mataki
Choki, a well-attended program, was started through the initiative of Kamelesh Chibber was a good fund raiser
then and also today. Other programs are Hanuman Chalisha, Amrit Bani, and Sunderkand Path. Nitin Patel reminded that Indraji started recognizing the Board Members after election for their service to the temple. Food
preparation was always a heavy task and Indraji aggressively gathered volunteers for the temple activities and
exceeded all previous goals and her own goals in every task she undertook.
continued on next page ...
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BEGINNING OF HINDU TEMPLE (Part 3)
Indraji commended the contributions of the members
of her executive committee. She was lucky to have
very supportive and cooperative committee members,
who performed all their tasks to their utmost capabilities. He mentioned the new initiatives taken by Ushakant Gandhi, who was the treasurer at that time. In
the earlier years, all the Temple Funds were parked in
interest free checking accounts in the local banks.
Ushakant Gandhi took the initiative to move major
portion of these funds into Vanguard Money Marker
Account, earning higher rate of interest.
In conclusion, Dipak, Kripa, Rashmi, Indraji, all
agreed that success of the temple we see today is due
to the high moral standard and working ethics set by
the leadership group from the beginning and throughout the following years. They emphasized that strong foundation is key behind the success of any organization.
Another key reason is that most of families came here stayed for fifty plus years. That helped to bridge bond
within the community which has become a family at large.
We will continue this discussion after recess for three winter months and comeback on May.
(This is an excerpt from Senior Group meeting on 3rd January. Senior Group meets every 1st, Saturday, of month.)
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The Hindu Temple Society
4200 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109
(610) 264-2810
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED......
2015
HTS Upcoming
Events
Mark your
calendar for these grand HTS events and look
out for further updates in the HTS email blasts
and the newsletter.
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lehigh Valley, PA
Permit No.22
FEBRUARY 7 - SANKRANTI/PONGAL
FEBRUARY 17 - MAHASHIVARATRI PUJA
MARCH 5 - HOLI PUJA
MARCH 28 - RAM NAVAMI PUJA
APRIL 4 - UGADI CELEBRATIONS
APRIL 18 - SRINIVASA KALYANAM
MAY 2 - HOLI FESTIVAL at Saucon Valley HS
MAY 16—THYGARAJ ARADHANA
SEPTEMBER 5 - KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI
SEPTEMBER 10-17 - JAIN PARYUSAN
SEPTEMBER 17 - GANESH CHATURTHI
OCTOBER 4 - DIWALI BAZAAR
OCTOBER 16, 17, 24 - GARBA
OCTOBER 24, 25 - DURGA PUJA
OCTOBER 30 - KARVA CHAUTH
NOVEMBER 11 - DIWALI PUJA
NOVEMBER 21 - MATA KI CHOWKI
DECEMBER 12 - HTS ANNIVERSARY DAY
Temple: (610) 264-2810
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