HINDU SAMAJ, Inc.
[A Non-profit Organization Under Section 501 of Internal Revenue Code I.D. # 223386668]
247 West Ramapo Ave., Mahwah, NJ 07430
Telephone No. (201) 529-0110
Vol. XIV NO. 2 March/April, 2009 Suresh Seth, Editor
*** JAI MATA KI ***
Bhagwati Maa Vishal Chowki on Saturday, March 28th, 4 pm.
Please join us on this auspicious occasion.
HINDUISUM
Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life. Unlike other religions, Hindu dharma has many specialties. This is not known as a religion, it is known as the dharma; Sanaathana Dharma.
Sanaathana means, according to Bhagavath Geetha, which cannot be destroyed by fire, weapons, water, air, and which is present in all living and non living being. Dharma means, the way of life which is the ‘total of all aachaaraas or customs and rituals’.
(see more details in this patrika)
Daily - Timings
Monday - Friday
Morning8:30 – 11:30 am
Arti9:30 am
Evening5:00 - 8:30 pm
Arti7:30 pm
Saturday Morning8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Evening4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sunday Morning8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday Evening3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Arti5:00 pm
Mondays: Rudra Abhishek 9:00 am & 6:30 pm
Tuesdays: Hanuman Chalisa 7:00 pm
Wednesdays: Vishnu Sahastanaam 6:45 pm
Thursdays: Sunderkand Path 6:30 pm
Fridays: Lakshimi Puja 9:00 am
Durga Puja
Lalitha Saharranam 6:45 pm
Saturday: Balaji Suprahhatam 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Monthly Schedule:
First Sunday:Monthly Havan
Second Sunday:Shri Satyanarain Katha
Third Sunday:Navgrah Puja
Fourth Sunday:Shivji Puja
Please Note: Check the website for any changes to the above schedule.
Special Events For Mar/Apr 2009
March 8, 2009 Sunday 3PMMata ki Chowki
March 10, 2009 Tuesday 6.30 PMHoli Puja
7.30 PM Hanuman Chalisa
March 14, 2009 Saturday,
11 AM - 3 PM Carnival of Colors
March 15, 2009 Sunday
9 AMShri Navagraha Maha Shanti Puja
March 22, 2009 Sunday
3PM SunderKand Path-Prabha Shukla
March 28, 2009 Saturday
4 PM Bhagwati Maa Vishaal Chowki
March 29, 2009 Sunday
2 PM Rangoli -Recital presented by students of Hindu Samaj
3 PM Geeta Pravachan by Dr. Krishnan
April 3, 2009 Friday
5 PM 24 Hours Akhand Ramayan Path Starts
April 4, 2009 Saturday
5 PM Bhogfollowed by Hnauman Chalisa, Bhajans
7.30 PM Arti
April 5, 2009Sunday 9 AM Dushera Puja
3PM Amrit Vani
April 12, 2009 Sunday
3PM Geeta Pravachan - Dr. Krishnan
April 19, 2009 Sunday
3 P M Monthly Nava Grah Puja
April 26, 2009Sunday
3 P M Geeta Pravachan- Dr. Krishnan
Winter Ball 2009 Huge Success
Our first Winter Ball in our own Community Center Hall was a huge success. We were sold out, rather oversold, to capacity. Everyone who had the opportunity to attend this momentous occasion enjoyed to the fullest. Dancing was going on until very late in the night. Vegetarian dishes were much appreciated. Mandir collected well over 30 thousand dollars. All the volunteers worked very hard to make this a memorable occasion. Thanks to everyone who participated in this project to make this so successful.
Carnival of Colors
On March 14th we had our very first event for kids, Carnival of Colors, which was attended by more than 330 kids. Amazed and excited that something was happening at the temple, they never wanted to leave the area, where all the games, arts & crafts, raffles and food were organized. Adults were too enjoying the fun. All this happened because you supported it.
We want to thank all our donors, businesses and contributors for their generous donations and families who participated in the Carnival. Our thanks to students of dance class, members of youth group and parents who helped tirelessly, volunteers of Cultural committee and Community Center committee. Many thanks to our very talented dance teachers, Ms. Kamini Shukla, Ms. Pratibha Goyal and Ms. Radhika Sahu, who gave us this opportunity to bring you this fun filled event at the temple. You are the reason we are here. Your support, your involvement and your presence is very important.
HOLI – Festival of Colors
Holi or Holika, also called holikotsava, is extremely popular festival observed throughout India. It is especially marked by unmixed gaiety and frolics and is common to all sections of people. Holi is a festival of merry-making, announcing the commencement of the spring.
According to the stories in the puranas and various local legends, this day is important for three reasons:
- It was this day that Lord Siva opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva (god of Love, Cupid or Eros) to ashes.
- It was on this day Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyaksipu, who tried to kill the child-devotee Prahlada by taking him on her lap and sitting on a pyre of wood which was set fire to, was herself reduced to ashes, while Prahlada was unscathed!
- It was again, on this day, that an ogress called Dhundi, who was troubling the children in the kingdom of Prathu ( Raghu) was made to run away for her life, by the shouts and pranks of mischievous boys. Though she had made several boons that made her almost invincible, this –noise, shouts, abuses and pranks of boys – was a chink her armor due to a curse of Lord Siva. The day itself came to be called Holika since then.
Generally, a log of wood will be kept in a prominent public place on Vasantpanchmi day almost 40 days before the Holi festival. An image of Holika with child Prahlada in her lap is also kept on the log. Holika’s image is made of combustible material whereas Prahlada’s of non-combustible ones. People sgo on throwing twigs of trees and any combustible material they can spare, on that log which gradually grows into a sizable heap. On the night of Phalguna purnima, it is set fire to in a simple ceremony, Raksoghana mantra of Rigveda being sometimes chanted to ward of all evil spirits. The next morning, the ashes from the bonfire are collected as prasada and smeared on the limbs of the body.
In some houses, the image of Kamadeva is kept in the square yard a simple worship is offered. A mixture of mango blossoms and sandalwood paste is partaken as Prasad.
The day –Phalguna krisna pratipad- is observed as a day revelry especially by throwing on one another gulal or colored water or perfumed colored powder.
In Bengal, it is celebrated as Dolpurnima or Dolayatra ( festival of the swing).The festival, said to have been initiated by the king Indradyumna in Vrindavana, is spread over 3 or 5 days, starting from sukla chaturdasi of Phalguna. A celebration of honor of Agni and worship of Govinda ( (Krishna) in image kept on swing are the important features. The fire kindled on the first day is to be preserved till the last day. The swing is to be rocked 21 times at the end of the festival.
The day is also celebrated as the birthday of Sri Chaitanya, mostly in Bengal, as also in Puri (Orissa), Mathura and Vrindavan (Utter Pradesh).
Updates from Community Center Committee
RANGOLI 2009:On March 29th students of the Hindu Samaj Mandir will present their recital at 2 pm to 4 pm. Seating is limited, so purchase your tickets at the Gift shop, starting March 15th. You will get the chance to watch a presentation by Ms. Neelanjana Banerjee, the Odissi teacher.
Grocery Cards: We are happy to report that we raised $1,295 through your active participation in purchasingof cash cards from Shoprite, A&P and Pathmark. Our goal is to raise at least $12,000. We can achieve this goal with your continued active participation. As you are aware, you get Dollar for Dollar, and in return temple gets 5% of every amount that you spent.
Checks should be made out to Hindu Samaj, Inc and at the bottom of the check do not forget to write –Grocery Card. Currently available cards are from Shoprite, PathMark and A&P, in denominations of $50 and $100.
If you have any question, please contact Shailja Rastogi at 201-909-0331 or send a request via e-mail at giving details of amount and the retailer’s name. Next Sunday you can come and pick it up from the Gift shop. Thank you for your support.
Cultural Classes:
DANCE CLASSES:new classes coming up starting April 13th.
- Mondays, 5pm - boys and girls bhangra/bollywood/hip-hop.
2. Wednesday, 10am - adult bollywood workout
3. Wednesday 5pm - girls introduction to kathak/bollywood
4. Thursday 5:30pm - adult bollywood workout
These classes run in 3 semesters for the entire year, each semester is of 8 classes. Registration is available.
Changes: Class for young children, 3 to 5 years of age, is now going to be Creative Dance Movements, 45 minutes long, each class fee is $15.00.
Call - Radhika Sahu at 973-818-0060 or email at
Class timings are available on our website calendar at Click on “Classes” then “Calendar for Classes.”
VOCAL CLASS:Learn to sing fromrenownedIndianVocalist, Bollywood Singer and Sangeet Vishaarad, Ms. Sunita Kapur.Group lessons held at the Hindu Samaj Mandir on Saturdays from 10.00am -12.00pm and Sundays 11.00pm-1.00pm. Now registering for 12 week semester starting March 28th. Registrations are available for adults and kids. Learn to sing Bollywood songs (old andnew), Bhajans, Ghazals, Folk, Semi Classical and Hindustani Classical Vocal. Fees-$300 for12 week semester with a one hour class, once a week with a $30 Annual registration charge. Please call 201-251-3123 or 201-658-9220 for moredetailsor visit are available at the Mandir Gift Shop or on the website -
VOLUNTEER OPORTUNITIES:
We want to thank all our volunteers, committee members and parents, who have been great supporter. You are the reason we are here, trying our best to offer many avenues to you. We want your involvement, talent and your precious time in cultivating a healthy learning environment for our children. So please get involved.
We need members with many skills and if you are interested in volunteering, please take time to visit our website and familiarize yourself with various activities and committees we have in our temple. All the events and functions at the Mandir are organized through the joint efforts of community members and require a great deal of work on the part of volunteers.
We request you to use “Feedback” form, or update your membership profile online through our website indicating your interests, talent and hours of availability for us to contact you with specific requirements in organizing various events and fundraising programs for the coming months.
We also encourage you to involve your children so that they get asense of belonging and feel proud of their heritage and culture. For details about Youth Group, please contact us at or contact Betsy Kohli at 917-696-2525.
Hinduisum – Why do we follow them ?
Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life. Unlike other religions, Hindu dharma has many specialties.
This is not known as a religion, it is known as the dharma; Sanaathana Dharma. Sanaathana means, according to Bhagavath Geetha, which cannot be destroyed by fire, weapons, water, air, and which is present in all living and non living being. Dharma means, the way of life which is the ‘total of all aachaaraas or customs and rituals’.
Sanaathana Dharma has its foundation on scientific spirituality. In the entire ancient Hindu literature we can see that science and spirituality are integrated. It ismentioned in the 40th chapter of the Yajurveda known as Eesaavaasya Upanishad that use scientific knowledge for solving problems in our life and use the spiritual knowledge for attaining immortality through philosophical outlook.
Remember that in each and every aachaaraa there will be a component of spirituality in it. Without spirituality, nothing exists in Sanaathana dharma. Generally everyone bear a wrong impression that this spirituality is religion. Spirituality is different in Hindu dharma. Here the question of religion does not exist at all, because Hindu dharma was not created by an individual, prophet or an incarnation. Spirituality is a part of every Hindu custom in the normal life of a Hindu.
Aachaaraas are to be followed based on their merits available from the self experience; you need not blindly follow a teacher or someone who gives advice without reasoning. All these aachaaraas are mentioned for the prosperity of the human beings and it should be the prime focus for practicing the Hindu aachaaraas.
This is an important advice given in smruthies. It means a person can get only one quarter of knowledge from
Achaarya - the teacher, another quarter by analyzing self, one quarter by discussing with others and the last quarter during the process of living by method addition, deletion, correction, and modification of already known aachaaraas or new aachaaraas.
Aachaaraas are followed for the psychological and physiological health and long life; Aachaaraas are followed for prosperity and wealth; Aachaaraas are followed for strong family and social bondage and following the
Aachaaraas give a fine personality, dharmic outlook and vision, says our dharmasaastra.
In India everyone followed Aachaaraas for the above mentioned psychological, physiological, family relation, social benefits and national integration based benefits. It is your right and duty to understand scientifically, rationally and logically the meaning of each and every Aachaaraas and follow the same in your life systematically.
Youth Group Corner
By Tara Kohli
Leading up to the three-day opening of the Mandir, members of the Samaj Youth Group congregated to discuss various projects that the group would undertake once the new Mandir opened. During the opening weekend, young members of the Youth Group volunteered in the Mandir, and helped serve meals throughout the many poojas and festivities. It was not an obligatory job for us; we just enjoyed helping out downstairs in the kitchen—we felt that every role was significant in the monumental weekend.
In weeks prior, the Youth Group began compiling interviews of many of the elders in the community who graciously shared their experiences of their immigration to this country. These interviews were condensed into a short film which was presented at the cultural program. This is illustrative of what will be showcased in the upcoming museum. As part of the youth group’s museum project which will document our community members’ journey from India to the United States during the mid-twentieth century, we plan on visiting the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City, to guide us and help us with this project.
Some community service projects the Youth Group has been involved in collecting food to donate to the MahwahCenter for Food Action for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some of the youth members actually went to the warehouse, sorted food, and prepared food baskets which fed over 1,200 families on Thanksgiving in the BergenCounty area. The experience, in of itself, was amazing, by being able to help the local community. In December the Youth Group met for a holiday party where upcoming projects were discussed.
Our future project includes a community awareness festival, as a way to introduce the local communities to our temple and culture. Local regional high school, Northern Highlands has already expressed an interest in coming to see the new Mandir. The school’s club, Multicultural Task Forces, is involved in community awareness and is eager to learn more about the Hindu Samaj. In more recent weeks, the youth group hosted a successful a coat drive which will now be continued as an annual project. Most recently, members of the Youth Group went to an inter-religious homeless shelter for working families in Englewood. For five hours, the kids assisted and volunteered by feeding young children lunch and interacting with the kids. The volunteer project at the shelter is going to become a continuous project—with members going one Saturday every other month.
We are always looking for new members to join, as well as any project ideas. If anyone is interested in being interviewed for our Museum Project, please contact us through the Mandir. The Youth Group is seeking out new community service projects in which anyone can participate, so any help is greatly appreciated.
For details please contact us at .