1. religion and spirituality
2. hinduism

The Newsletter of Hindu Temple of Central Indiana (HTCI)
February 2015
Special
Maha Kumbhabhishekam Issue
HTCI Chairman’s Message 2014
Dear Friends,
Namaskar! I hope that this report finds you
all in good spirits. I am sure that you all had
good holidays and a great start to New Year.
Here in Indianapolis, we have been truly
blessed by the divine Grace to have such a
beautiful Hindu temple in Central Indiana. I
am very happy to inform you that the phase III
construction work involving the Indianization
of the building, both inside & outside, by the
shilpis is progressing well . I thank the facility
committee for doing a wonderful job and
in achieving a tremendous progress during
this year. The three external towers of Durga,
Shiva, and Balaji shrines are now complete
with all decorative finishes. The main external
Rajagopuram’s structural work is also
complete as well with decorative finishes .
The Indianization work for the main front
entrance, which started in mid-September
of 2014, is expected to be completed by
May-2015. Work outside the temple has
slowed down due to cold weather but
inside work is being continued to complete
as much as possible before the spring
arrives. There has been excellent progress
in the Ganesha shrine (98% complete)
and other shrines, namely, Balaji, Shiva,
Durga, Jain, Shiridi Sai Baba, Saraswathi
& Bhoodevi shrines are 75% complete
whereas Ayyappa, Radha Krishna and
Ram Parivar shrines are 50 -60 % complete.
We are expecting to complete all the interior
work of the main worship hall including all
shrines by May-2015 in time for the Maha
Kumbhabhishekam. The remaining extetior
Indianization should start during summer and
will be completed before winter of 2015. We are
planning to celebrate the inauguration event,
Maha Kumbhabhishekam, for 5 days starting
from June 3rd to June 7th, 2015. Please mark
these dates on your calendar to attend this
event. It is a once in a lifetime event which
should be witnessed. It will be a major milestone
for our community and one which we should
be proud of. We are all excited and looking
forward for that event. The Kumbhabhishekam
Planning Committee (KPC) has been formed
and has already started to work out all the
details to make it a grand success.
Executive committee is doing a fantastic job
in arranging various religious, spiritual and
educational activities of the temple and is
also raising good amount of funds. I sincerely
thank Mr. Ambat Babu and his team for their
hard work, support and cooperation.
Regarding the Financial status, I am very
happy to inform you that we are doing
Ok so far but we need more financial
support to complete the current project
in time for the Maha Kumbhabhishekam
event. The estimated budget for the Maha
continued on page 3
Temple Information
Address: 3350 North German Church Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235
Phone: (317) 891-9199 • www.htci.org • Email: [email protected]
Temple Hours: Mon to Fri: 9 AM - 11:30 PM & 6 PM - 8 PM; Sat & Sun: 9 AM - 8 PM
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HTCI Board of Trustees 2015
Chairman
Vijayapal Reddy 317-843-8482
Vice Chairman
Arun Jain 765-376-3976
Secretary
Ramu Yeleti 317-815-5811
Treasurer
Venkat Rao 317-846-8086
Jt. Treasurer
Ravi Pattar 317-862-7871
Kumbhabhishekam
Rama Belagaje 317-815-5524
Fund Raising
Anil Bajpai 317-250-1431
Facilities
Prabhakar Kasarabada 317-241-4818
Education & Communication
Ram Bhargava 317-507-4378
Communication & Public Relations
Subhash Khanna 317-580-9877
Human Resources
Mani Subramaniam 317-270-3825
Social & Charitable Activity
M.R. Ivaturi 317-696-2346
Long Range Planning
Kannan Natarajan 317-566-9399
Please contact to schedule services
TEMPLE HOURS:
Krishna P. at 317-258-5356 or
Mon to Fri - 9 AM to 11:30 AM & 6 PM to 8 PM;
<[email protected]>
Sat & Sun - 9 AM to 8 PM
Membership
Please become a member and here is the info for you. HTCI has two categories of members:
(1) Patron/Life members and (2) Regular members. You can become a Life Member by
paying a one time fee of $1500.00 or you can donate $10,000 or more (cumulatively) to
become a patron. Annual membership is for the calendar year: $100 per family, $50 per
individual and $15 per student. Membership entitles to certain benefits such as voting
rights in the election of temple office bearers, participating in temple programs like
balagokulam, cultural activities, free calendar, one archana and you are also helping your
temple to be stronger since the strength is measured by its members.
Please download the form from the website, fill it up and mail the form along with your
check payable to HTCI to the address mentioned below. You can also pay online at www.
htci.org. Please send your Membership forms with your check to:
Ravi Dinakaran, HTCI Treasurer 317-891-9199
3350 North German Church Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235
All the donations and the pooja services receipts are emailed, if you are not
receiving your receipts or your email address or residence address is changed
please report to the temple to serve you better.
* Project Manager-Construction
Sathya M. Tulasiraman 317-753- 9521 Priest Services
HTCI Executive Committee 2014-2015 For all your pooja requests (other than archana) at the temple or at your home, please
fill up the form (download from website) and mail it to [email protected] atleast 10 days
President
Ambat Babu 317-490-0392
before the scheduled pooja date. You will be contacted within 48 hours. If you do not get
response within 48 hours, please contact
Vice President/President-Elect
Jagannath Pandey 317-842-9902
Krishna @ 317-258-5356 (5:30 PM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 7 PM on
Secretary
weekends) or call Temple 317-891-9199.
Sathyaraj Chawan 317-440-0133
Next time when you are at the temple please make sure to meet and talk to our
Treasurer
Ravi Dinakaran 317-213-6920
priests Sri Bardinath Shastriji and Sri Ramaswamy Bhattarji.
Joint Secretary/Treasurer
Kusum Patel 317-875-5263, 875-9888
Pooja Coordination Committee
Krishna Padmanabhan 317-258-5356
Kitchen Committee
Shanti Pathak 317-844-0466
Communication Committee
Vijay Narayan 317-490-1628
Maintenance Committee
Raveendran Dudhlur 317-997-1851
Youth Activity Coordinator
Priyesh Kheradia 317-966-9033
Function Coordination Committee
Rajendra Kedlaya 317-270-4850
Membership Committee
Tripti Vyas 317-459-5530
Library Committee
Nabin Pudasaini 716-680-2329
Youth Group
Aryaman Gupta and Kamna Gupta
[email protected]
Kitchen Services
Maha Prasad Seva (Annadaan), A great way to offer seva during weekends. For a donation
of $301, you can sponsor lunch prasad (up to 75 people) at the temple on Saturday /
Sunday. To reserve your choice of weekend day, sponsor or volunteer or donate grocery
please contact Mrs. Shanti Pathak, Kitchen Coordinator, at (317) 844-0466 or send
an email to [email protected]. Lunch is served EVERY Saturday and Sunday
from Noon - 2 PM.
Balagokulam
Please visit website for more info at htci.org.
To join any of these classes at the temple contact:
BALGOKULAM & CHETANA (YOUTH) CLASSES
- Priyesh Kheradia <[email protected]> 317-966-9033
HINDI CLASSES AT THE TEMPLE
- Anita Mahesh Gupta <[email protected]> 317-291-0718
HTCI Newsletter Editorial Committee
Ram Bhargava 317-507-4378
SANSKRIT CLASSES AT THE TEMPLE
Vijayapal Reddy 317-843-8482
Siva Kumpatla 317-529-5836
- Sanjay Kalluparambil <[email protected]> 646-722-0785
Madhu Bhargava 317-507-1843
HTCI Advisory Committee 2014-2018YOGA CLASSES AT THE TEMPLE - EVERY SATURDAY 10 AM
Sathyanarayan R.Marri 765-362-8026
G.L. Ahuja 317-908-4195
Srinivasan Chandrasekhar 317-849-0753
Atul Bhargava 317-201-3277
HTCI Audit Committee 2014-2018
Mohan Sarda 317-705-9695
Jaya Naiken 317-410-2467
- Uma Vashistha <[email protected]>
“The views and opinions expressed in the articles published in this newsletter are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of HTCI,
its office bearers or the editorial committee.”
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HTCI Chairman’s Message
Dharma and promote educational, cultural, religious,
spiritual and charitable activities consistent with
Hindu way of Life. In order to improve these activities
and provide better services in the future, I request
all members of the community to come together
and pledge your time and effort as a volunteer and
also make financial contribution. There are many
ways for you to support your temple. You can donate
money or you can sponsor a sannidhi of your choice.
We have 17 sannidhis in our temple. You can also
sponsor a room or hall or landscaping work or AV
system for the entire temple. Please bring your family
& friends, come to the temple and support the pride
of our Hindu Heritage. With your generous support,
we will soon realize our dream of celebrating Maha
Kumbhabhishekam event in June 2015.
God bless you all. Wishing you all a very happy New
Year.
Rama M. Belagaje
Chairman, Board of Trustees (2013-2014)
continued from page 1
Kumbhabhishekam event is $250,000. We have a
bank loan of 2.9 million dollars plus the cost of the
phase III construction work to be paid ($380,829).
As of December 14, 2014, we have a cash balance of
$543,800 in the board account. During this year, we
organized 2 Havans (Ganapathi & Gayathri homams),
one classical dance drama called Agni ( on August
13th), one comprehensive ensemble of multiple
dance performances (on Oct 12th), Temple Fest
(on Sept 13th) and one Annual Fundraising dinner
event (on Dec 6th), and generated a net income of
$518,804 from these events. Our goal was to raise
about $1 MM by the end of 2014 and I would like to
thank the Fundraising Committee for working hard to
accomplish this goal.
As detailed above, we made a great progress both in
the construction work and operational activities of
the temple. It is your temple and your organization.
Temples are epitome of our Hindu Sanathana
Why do we pray?
One does not have to be religious
to pray; When Hindus, Muslims,
Christians and Jews pray in the same
room, one has to wonder if they are
praying to the same God.
Most importantly, Prayer is a
deliberate act/action. Following
the law of causality in physics, every action has
consequences. Hindus describe any deliberate
act as karma. Prayer is therefore a karmic action
and produces results. The result can be what you
expect, less than what you expect or more than
what you expect. According to Chapter 2, verse 47 of
Bhagvad Gita Karmanyevaadhikaraste, Ma Phaleshu
Kadaachana, we only have control over our actions
and absolutely none whatsoever over the fruits of
our efforts (outcome). Through good deeds, one
builds up good karma (punya) and bad deeds result
in bad karma (Paapa). Through accumulating good
karmas, one attains heaven and when once the good
karmas are exhausted, he is back on the earth (This
is similar to going to Hawaii for vacation and after all
the money is spent, you are back on the mainland
to work for the next vacation!). This is what Hindus
believe. The ultimate goal of life for a Hindu is not
to be re-born. This is possible by leading a dharmic
life and performing one’s activities without getting
attached to the fruits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
By Melkote Ramaswamy*
During our lifetime, all of
us encounter situations
where being unable to do
anything or having done
everything, we find all that we can do is hope and
pray. This would seem to imply that Prayer is a last
resort. This is unfortunate. Prayer, if done regularly,
can be rejuvenating and life-lifting and yield longterm results.
Prayer--silent or vocal-- is a multi-pronged tool. It
is not just for seeking material things. It can be a
way of showing our humility that we don’t control
everything or have all the answers. It is a means of
understanding and knowing more about God (in
whatever form you choose to imagine). It can be a
way of showing our gratitude to the Almighty for all
the blessings and bounty that we have. By the way,
these modes of worship/prayer are described in
Bhagvad Gita, Chapter-7-16. Community prayers—
these have energy due to synergy—and are directed
to peace—both internal and external.
Prayer is natural. It is universal. Almost every
function of importance starts with a prayer/
benediction/invocation; People pray before a meal.
The Indianapolis Star, for instance, carries a Prayer in
their daily edition. We are aware of the saying that the
family that prays together stays together.
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* Melkote Ramaswamy is a physicist, speaker, and writer, author of An Immigrant
celebrates America (University of Indianapolis Press 2007) and Vedanta through
Drushtaanta (Adhyatma Vidya Mandir, Ahmedabad 2013), and an active member
of the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana.
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Why We Should Volunteer
SOMEONE’S SOLES MAKE ANOTHER’S
SOUL HAPPY, HYGIENIC, AND HEALTHY
By: Kamna Gupta
A shoe recycling program, encourages individuals
with slightly worn shoes to donate them so they
may be given to those around the world in need.
In a famous quote, Kahlil Gibran said, “You give
but little when you give of your possessions. It is
when you give of yourself that you truly give”. This
powerful quote emphasizes the power of voluntarily
giving your services for the benefit of those around
you. Volunteering can take up time, energy, and
occasionally, money. It can require much dedication
and hard work. Volunteering can find us doing and
seeing new kinds of things which can be challenging
to acclimate to and even frightening. So why
bother? Why put yourself in this kind of situation?
Well, although you yourself may be provided for by
another, many do not have that support system.
The world is not a perfect place. There are countless
people, animals, places, and communities that
need help. As one may argue, the government is to
aid these unfortunate people, but it is impossible
for the government to meet every single person’s
needs, which is where you come in. You can make a
difference where someone or something needs help.
If the people of the world only look introspectively,
the world would fall into an era of darkness and
resentment. Although we know we need to volunteer,
the question now becomes “Well, what’s in it for me?”
The reason to serve comes from within and actually
can be extremely beneficial to you. It can be to express
gratitude, to transform quality of life for others, to
transform yourself, to become interconnected, to
give back to your community, and for the long run,
to initiate a chain reaction. When a group of people
perform this kind of service as a practice, it creates
an ecosystem that holds a space, allowing value
to emerge organically. All of this indirect value, the
ripple effect, has space and time to add up, synergize
with other ripples, and multiply into something
completely unexpected. In addition, you yourself will
grow as a person as you put another’s needs ahead
of your own, make new friends, gain important skills
and experiences that will help you later in life, and
build confidence and character.
can be as simple as donating old shoes you no longer
wear. You can also become a member at large, aiding
the program by volunteering to raise donations and
starting various shoe drives at schools, churches,
work places etc. If you are interested in donating or
becoming a member at large, visit solesforsoulsindy.
weebly.com. While it may seem small and insignificant,
it is through programs like this one can make a vast
difference not only in the community, but also in the
world and such an impact is possible through the
help and support of readers like you and all others
who will come forward one after another in a chain
reaction. Such is the power of volunteering and the
power of making others to give for the benefit of
fellow human beings!
So the next time you find yourself in a volunteering
opportunity....think of the greater good it can do and
just go with it!!! And remember what our forefathers
said, “Serving fellow humans is serving God!”
website http://solesforsoulsindy.weebly.com/
Highlights
Collected 1600 pairs of shoes.
Raised $600 for Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
Organizations that supported the project
1. Chetana Youth Group, HTCI
2. Key Club, Carmel High School
3. Hamilton South High School, Fishers
4. Girls Scouts at Carmel
5 Center of Interfaith Cooperation, Indianapolis
6. Marriott Group of Hotels
7. Carmel Running Club
8. Shoe collection drive at Carmel Neighborhood
You will be surprised to know that often times, you do
not need to make a grand sacrifice to better another’s
quality of life. Here is the example: Soles for Souls is
a nonprofit organization that collects second hand
shoes of all varieties (except crocs, flip flops, and
winter boots). The organization sends donated shoes
to a cleaning facility to be packaged and shipped to
those in need all over the world. Your contribution
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HTCI Maha Kumbhabhishekam Committee Report
Dear Friends:
After fifteen years of relentless planning and exemplary hard work of the Temple team and the unwavering support
of our community, our magnificent Temple project – the project that is close to the hearts of HTCI devotees of Central
Indiana - is coming to completion by the end of May 2015. An elegant and elaborate 5-day Maha Kumbhabhishekam is
planned to be celebrated from June 3rd through June 7th, 2015. This is a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity and,
therefore, please mark your calendars to attend the event and also participate in as many activities as you can.
Maha Kumbhabhishekam is a consecration or inauguration of the newly built Temple by sprinkling sacred waters,
sanctified by Vedic rituals and carried in Kalashas or Kumbhas (pots), by priests on the Gopuram (Tower) of the Temple
and the deities. Seventeen Moolamoorthies, made of granite and marble in India and brought here, will go through
an elaborate series of rituals during this time to invocate embodiment of divinity which will include establishment of i)
Godly sight by carving the pupils of the eyes on the moorthies, and ii) breath called Prana Prathistha.
We are sure the whole Hindu community in Central Indiana is as excited as we are to witness this extraordinary
ceremony. In order to accommodate the needs of all the devotees and visitors and to create a memorable experience
for each and every participant, the Temple is planning to organize this event on a grand scale. For this purpose, a
Maha Kumbhabhishekam Planning Committee (KPC) has been created a year in advance and includes several board
and executive members of HTCI as well as several members of the community, with Dr. Satyanarayana Reddy Marri
as Chairman. As listed below, ten sub-committees have also been formed and each of these committees has several
members drawn from the Board of Trustees as well as Executive, Advisory and Newsletter committees along with invited
and volunteer members from our community. If anyone of you have the time and interest to serve in any of these areas
please feel free to communicate with the contacts of the respective committees indicated below.
Committee
Contacts
1. Religious Srinivasan Chandrasekhar; [317-410-2451; [email protected]]
2. Fund Raising Anil Bajpai [317-250-1431; [email protected]]
Ravi Pattar [317-862-7871; [email protected]]
Subhash Khanna [317-580-9877; [email protected]]
Ramu Yeleti [317-815-5811; [email protected]]
3. Food Rama Belagaje [317-815-5524; [email protected]]
4. Souvenir Siva Kumpatla [317-529-5836; [email protected]]
5.Cultural Rajendra Kedlaya [317-270-4850; [email protected]]
6. Logistics Arun Jain [317-566-0449; [email protected]]
7. Hospitality Vijayapal Reddy [317-843-8482; [email protected]]
Mani Subramaniam [317-270-3825; [email protected]]
8. Volunteers Prabhakar Kasarabada [317-241-4818; [email protected]]
9. Decorations M.R. Ivaturi [317-580-9630; [email protected]]
10. Financials
Thota Rao [317-846-8086; [email protected]]
11. Communications Ram Bhargava [317-507-4378; [email protected]]
This celebration is going to be a wonderful and exciting mega-event for the Temple. There will be about thirty priests
performing general and specific rituals for all of the deities in the Temple as well as in a large Yajnashala (tent) which will
be set up next to the Temple and all devotees and visitors will be served free food and drinks (Prasadam) throughout the
event. The festivities have been planned with great care and hard work, however, they will cost a substantial amount
of money.
After several long and hard discussions, the Temple has decided to develop various sponsorship levels to raise funds to
meet the expenses of the event and also to reduce the Temple debt burden. The sponsorship amount will be added to
the previously donated amount of each individual to properly recognize all the donors and each sponsor will be given
appropriate mementos. The details of the sponsorship are provided in this newsletter and will also be available at the
Temple as well as on the Temple website. I request you all one more time to come forward and help in sponsoring this
event to help the Temple and to witness and enjoy this grand event and to receive God’s blessings.
Dr. Satyanarayana R. Marri
KPC Chairman
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Preliminary Program Schedule
Date
Time
Key Poojas
6/3/2015 9:00am - 12:00pm Ganapathi & Vishwaksena Pooja,
Punyahavachanam Dhana Pooja, Vaastu
Wednesday
4:00pm - 7:00pm
6/4/2015
Thursday
6/5/2015
Friday
6/6/2015
Saturday
7:00pm - 9:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm Panchagavya Snapanam for all Devatas,
Gopura Chaayasnapanam, Sarvadevata
Pradhaana Homam, Gopura Maanonmaana
Pramaana, Shanti Homam,
Dhaanyadhivasam &
Gopurakalshasthapanam
4:00pm - 7:00pm Pushpadhivasam & Sayaadhivasam, Pradhana
Homam for all Devatas, Nethronmeelanam,
Dashadarshanam, Pushpaadhivaasam &
Shayaadhivaasam
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Cultural Program
4:00pm - 6:30pm
Mahakumbha, Upakumbha Aaradhanam,
Pradhana Homam for all Devatas, TatwaArchana & Visesha Dravya Homam
Cultural Program
8:00am - 12:00pm Pradhana Homam for all Devatas,
Navaratna Nyasam and
Yantra Sthapanam
7:00pm - 9:00pm
8:00am - 12:00pm Pradhana Homam for all devatas, Moorthi
Homam, Nanavidha Anna Homam,
Nanavidha Phala(Fruits) Homam & Grudhashirorpanam (Thailabhishekam)
3:30pm - 7:00pm
6/7/2015
Sunday
Homam & Rakshogna Homam
Raksha Bandhanam, Mahasankalpam,
Ankurarpana Homam, Mahakumbha
Aradhanam, Jaladhivasam &
Deepa Lakshmi Pooja
Cultural Program
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Pradhana Homam for all Devatas, Moorthi
Homam, JeevaAdhiTatva Homam Nyasam,
Jeevakala Nyasam, Thrikandaparikalpanam
& Shanti Homam
Cultural Program
7:00am - 2:00pm Pradhana Homam, Maha Purnahuti, Raja
Gopura, Vimana Gopura, Dwajastambha
Kumbhabhishekam, Moorthi Kumbhabhishekam, Pranaprathistapanam,
Lagnam
Mahaneerikshanam, Panchamritha
11:00am-1:00pm Abhishekam, Aalankaram, Prathama Archana,
Mahanivedanam, Baliharanam, Mangala Aarati,
Prasad, Acharya, Ritwik, Sthapathi & Shilpi
Bhagumanam & Asheervadam
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ayyappa Padi Pooja, Thalapoli & Harivarasanam, Shirdi Saibaba Shayanaarati
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Note
* Devotees can offer Navaratnam inside
Sanctum Sanctorum all day
* Jaladhivasam: Devotees will be able to
offer water onto all Deities.
* 108 (minimum) Sumangalis will perform
Deepa Lakshmi Pooja
* Devotees will be able to offer Dhaanyam
to all Deities;
* All Gopura Kalashams will be taken in
Procession for installation;
* Devotees can offer Navaratnam inside
Sanctum Sanctorum all day
* Devotees will be able to offer flowers to all
Deities
* Devotees will be able to offer Navaratnam
until 8:30am;
* Sthapathi will start installing Deities inside Sanctum Sanctorum
* Devotees will be able to apply Oil on all
Deities' feet between 12pm - 4pm
* After Maha Purnahuthi all Kalashams will
be taken in procession from Yagashala to
perform Mahakumbhabhishekam;
* Appropriate Sponsors will be carrying
various Kalashams;
* Kannikas (Girl Child in the age group of 5-9)
will be selected from Donor's Family to
have first Darshan after Alankaram
* Young Girls will be able to carry Oil Lamps
to welcome the Lord during procession
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Preliminary Sponsorship Details
Sponsorship Type
Platinum Sponsor
Amount
Recognition
$10,000
All Pooja Sponsor; Preferred Seating; Preferred Parking; One year free
Abhishekam & Archana for ‘one preferred Deity’; Sponsor will be able to
carry one Silver Kalasham during the final day pooja and will receive that
Kalasham and a shawl as gifts after the event.
Gold Sponsor
$5,000
Sponsor for all 5 days; All Pooja Sponsor; Preferred Seating; One year free
Archana for ‘one preferred Deity’; Sponsor will be able to carry one Silver
Kalasham (Smaller) during the final day pooja and will receive that
Kalasham and a shawl as gifts after the event.
Silver Sponsor
$1,000
Sponsor for one day of choice; Single day Pooja Sponsor; Sponsor will be
able to carry one Copper Kalasham during the final day Pooja; Sponsor will
receive a Silver Coin and a shawl as gifts.
Annadaan Sponsor
Flower Sponsor
No Limit
$250
Any amount is welcome; While there is no minimum limit for sponsorship
the expected goal is to raise $60,000 towards Annadaan; devotees who
sponsor $1,000 or more will be recognized as Annadaan Sponsor and will
receive a Silver coin and a Shawl.
Minimum sponsorship is $250; open for multiple donors
First Vastram For
Durga/Shiva/Balaji
$2,500
Only one sponsor for each Deity. In case of multiple sponsorships for the
same deity one sponsor will be selected by lottery
First Vastram for all
other Deities
$1,000
Only one sponsor for each Deity. In case of multiple sponsorships for the
same deity one sponsor will be selected by lottery
Padi Pooja Sponsor
$501
Maximum 18 Sponsors only; Sponsors will participate in Padi Pooja
Adhivasam Pooja
Sponsor
$31
Special poojas performed only at the time of Prana Prathistha. Adhivasam
is the immersion of vigrahas in different media /material: for example,
immersion in water (Jaladhivasam); immersion in paddy (Dhanyadhivasam)
Deepa Lakshmi Pooja
$51
108 (minimum) Sumangalis will perform the Pooja.
Prathama Archana
$21
First Archana
Yantra Pooja
$1,008
Sponsors will be able to welcome all Deity Yantrams to their home and
priest will perform special Pooja. Please email [email protected] to book .
* All Kalashams, Coins and Shawls are special commemorative items with great significance and value attached
to them and are priceless additions to your home as mementos of this grand and unique milestone event
Souvenir Ad Opportunity
Current Donor Recognition
Type
Top 18 Donors will carry
Gopura Kalashams before Sthapanam
Color
Black & White
Donors above $25,000 but are not in top 18 will be able
to nominate Girl Child (in the age group of 5 - 9 years)
from their family for Kannika Darshan (First Darshan)
Full Page
$900
$700
Half Page
$500
$400
Quarter Page
$300
$250
Donors above $10,000 & below $25,000 will carry copper kalashams on the final day of Kumbhabhishekam
Business Card
$200
$150
All Donors above $10,000
will receive Silver Coin and a Shawl
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If you have any questions or special requests please
contact Madhu Bhargava @ 317-507-1843
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and namasakaras besides
alamkara - the decorations
in plenty. There should
be ample freedom to go
to the ishtadevata and
continue with desires and
different forms of worship.
Even with respect to
naivedyas there could be
differences among deities and provisions should be
made to honor the requirements.
TEMPLE - A NEED TODAY
Prof. Dr C. L. Prabhakar
http://nvak.tripod.com
A temple is a common place of worship and prayer
ground for all Hindus. Any temple structure is
for a long posterity and intermittent poojas, viz.
kumbhabhishekas, are done to ensure longevity and
the vested powers of the respective deities installed
in the temple would be strong to continue to bless.
In addition, to obtain maximum benefit, blessing or
phala, we need to follow certain guidelines in the
construction of the temple as well as understand
the philosophy of worship. Some of such aspects are
outlined here.
4. There is nothing like front or back with respect
to body of the devotee and the deity. The temple
sampradayas differ compared to those performed to
the deities in the houses at least in some aspects. It
is said:
1. The size of the structure and the levels planned to
be built should be honored. The size of the temple
need not be reduced in size based on the reason
or assumption that the attendance will be low. The
mahat of the temple always increases as the years
roll by and it also acquires elegance and importance
through the time course. The bigger the temple
and so are the advantages. It is said that: ‘Devalayah
kalpantarasthayi sada kalyanakarah bhavanti iti
arsheyo vachaha’.
deho devalayah proktah jivo devah sanaatanah!
tyajedaj naana nirmalyam soham bhaavena pujayet!!
Body is a temple and the the jiva, life in the body, is
the God. So giving up such type of discriminatory
feelings, one should start the worship at temples.
When it is like that, back -facing is no consideration.
Moreover, in the mahanyasa and nyasa rituals back is
regarded as sacred as the front. Observe the mantra
which invokes the deity to install himself with the
devotee under diksha: “puratah suli tishthatu, prushthe
pinakie tishthatu” meaning let the Siva in the form of
one holding trishula remain to protect and at the
back Siva holding the bow called Pinaka should stay
protecting the back. This and many supportive lines
from Vedas add to say that there is no consideration of
front or back in a temple. It is said ‘sarvavyapi devah
janardanah vishnuh cha”. Another important part of
worship is that of Deepam. Remember that Deepam
represents a form of Lord Murugan. He stays in the
nandadeepa and in the karpura harati offered at the
end before mantrapushpam. In the Panchayatana set
proposed by Acharya Sankara, he gave place to Lord
Kumaraswamy - a status whereby he can go close to
the deities and bring their grace to all. In nandadeepa
form, he attracts all for the worship of deities installed.
The lamp is divine and deepa arati is grace brought
to the eyes of the devotees. So deeparadhana is an
important mandatory need in the worship of Gods
either at the temple, house or anywhere.
2. It is best if the deities are installed in a U-shape
giving space for Pradakshina (circumambulation)
of the respective deities. If there is space left for the
devotees to make pradakshina, it is advantageous. It
is said the mantra mahima gets stocked in the back
wall of the garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum). So a
touch or salute done to the back wall of the sanctum
sanctorum is adding merit to the devotee visiting the
temple. That wall registers the effect of the poojas,
mantras and other utterances done to the deity
in the garbha gudi where the deities are installed.
Pradakshina is a part of the ritual in every temple. It
has its own mode to perform. It is said that for male
deities the number of pradakshinas should be even
like two, four, etc while for the devis the number
should be odd like one, three, five, etc.
3. Sastras say that the vigrahas need not be arranged
in a row and it is not approved. The reason is that the
ritualistic differences cannot be individualized. For
example, sastras say: Siva is fond of abhisheka and
Surya and Vishnu group of deities are fond of salutes
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receive grand, multiplied power that the universal
and personal and impersonal good shall take place
always. If a Siva lingam, for example, is installed that is
a sthira lingam (fixed) and so it needs poojas regularly
while at house the lingam is a cara (mobile) lingam
which needs avahana and pooja and empowerment
every day with the deeparadhana and that being
minimum.
In summary, I like to subscribe that: 1) it is recommended to adhere to the planned structure and size
of the temple rather than compromising on it; 2) it
is best if the deities are installed such that there is
ample provision for pradakshina form of worship to
the devotees; 3) It is best if the deities are installed not
in a single row but in a U-shaped format such that the
concentration and conscious levels grow and remain
supportive; 4) In a temple there is no consideration
like front or back with respect to body of the devotee
and the deity and the importance of deeparadhana
in worship is sublime.
It is a highly a laudable endeavor that Indianapolis
is having a great temple well consecrated and
which would stand as a great structure to Gods
bestowing good always. The need is fulfilled and the
consequences and the vibrations are great. We wish
that this temple would be the centre for many cultural
and religious activities while giving our children a
good outlook into the achara sampradayas of Hindu
life.
Here is the concluding thought regarding kumbhabhishekam and the poojas. The gopuram where the
kumbhabhishekam is performed by a pious person,
who is in the anushthana of the rituals, and pleasing
the deities remains as an antenna of celestial power
to attract entire cosmic energies in to the sanctum
sanctorum and the temple premises that whatever
token worship and offerings made by the devotees
Subhagum subham! Om svasti om!
Holi Aayee Re.......
I am dreaming of playing with colors and gulal,
It is the Holi celebration after all.
I can’t play inside my home, the carpets will get tainted,
I cant’ play it in the yard,
the grass and outer walls will get painted.
I thought I would go to the temple,
and enjoy the traditional Holi festivities,
Once again I am banned from playing with colors inside the temple,
I can’t play the drums and sing “Holi hai” outside, as the neighbors don’t like the noise.
I enjoy the Bonfire at Temple that glows in the dark and big smiles with some color around.
I enjoy variety of sweets as a special Holi treat,
Little disappointed, and went to the community center,
they have the Holi celebration on the weekend,
The kids perform and remind me of my cultural heritage,
I hear all the nice Holi songs and watch dances,
but I still miss the weather to have colors and gulal on my face.
Satyanarayana Pooja & Holi Ka Dahan at HTCI
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 - 6:30 PM
9
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member also brought in jewelry, which was loved by
the elderly women. The elderly men enjoyed playing
with the balloons with the students. This event not
only cheered up the elderly, but also taught the
members new lessons and gave them important
experiences.
Children and Youth Corner
Over the years, the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
has grown and developed. It has changed greatly,
but one shining continuity remains prominent to this
day. The Chetana group has been around for a very
long time and has served the temple greatly. They
have been responsible for many of the changes seen.
This group has helped educate and develop Hindu
students into great people. As the year 2014 came
to a close, Chetana was still working diligently to
benefit the temple. From raising money, to educating
and inspiring children, this group has done it all. This
article is a memoir to the extraordinary achievements
of the 2014 Chetana group.
The Chetana group started a project soon after called
Soles for Souls. This project donates shoes to places
stricken by poverty. The shoe drive has brought in
nearly 1000 pairs of shoes. This event is just another
way Chetana is looking outside the walls of the
temple, and helping the world.
Chetana is in the process of starting up a project to
raise money for the Kenya Carnival. This is a service
project that will help students in Africa go to school.
The group has just started the design process and will
soon come up with a project to help the world.
Early in the year of 2014, the Chetana group was
already working hard to make a difference. It all
began with Ekal Vidyalaya. Ekal Vidyalaya is an event
that helps raise money so children in India can get an
education. The Chetana group contributed to cause
by giving numerous, inspirational speeches and
raising money for the cause. This event was just the
start of the year.
The Chetana group has begun the process of designing
an app to benefit the temple. The app is set to release
on the date of the Maha Kumbabhishekam during
June 2015. The app will incorporate information
about the deities and give current information about
the temple and upcoming events. Some of the
highlights of the app include: automatic routing to
the temple, an updated calendar, possible system of
donating-on-the-go, QR codes around the Mandir,
and other modern ideas. This revolutionary app
shows the Chetana group’s ingenuity and dedication.
As the end of summer break neared, the Chetana
group was hard at work preparing for the Hindu
Heritage Camp. During 2014, the Chetana group led
the camp. They organized and lead the activities and
made the camp a huge success. This event was one
of Chetana’s biggest successes, that could only be
topped by the Temple Fest.
The Chetana group has done much over the 2014 year
but they could not have done it all by themselves.
The pre-Chetana group often assisted them in their
projects. Kumar Dave, Ananth Kini, and Priyesh
Kheradia directed the Chetana group in the right
direction. None of this would also have been possible
without the support of the temple. These people and
groups have helped Chetana tremendously. Chetana
has remained a shining beacon of continuity in the
sea of change.
This festival came soon after the camp. The festival was
primarily organized by Chetana. The group also set
up booths and brought in inflatable bounce houses.
Their booths sold sweet treats, such as cupcakes and
brownies. The group made nearly $2000 from the
booths. This money made a big difference for the
temple. It was easily the group’s largest and most
successful event of the year.
During 2014, the Chetana group also visited a nursing
home. Some of the members brought musical
instruments, while others sang for the elderly. A
By Aryaman Gupta
The Chetana Group
Set your dreams high, to deserve the best.
Keep a winning attitude, and you can never lose.
Think about your destination, but don’t worry if you stray.
Because the most important thing is that you’ve learned along the way.
Believe in yourself, and don’t let anyone confuse you.
Pick your right path, cross all hurdles, life is a long way.
Think of your goal, work hard, what you want to be.
Always keep your hopes high and set your dreams free.


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NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
3350 N. German Church Road
Indianapolis, IN 46235
PAID
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
PERMIT # 8042
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