Indo American Cultural Center & Temple Newsletter Volume 2001- 09 HTTP://members.tripod.com/kalamazoo-temple/ Sept. 2001
BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Gopal Singh 329-0065 Chairman Email: Gopalsingh4323@hotmail.com Subhash Ravi 372-1647 President and Chairman of Religious Committee Email: Subhas_Ravi@Hotmail.com Damodar Golhar 372-3418 Vice President & General Secretary Email: Golhar@wmich.edu Sharad Jariwala 323-1892 Treasurer Email: Sharadjar@aol.com Ravi Akkoor 375-6767 Cultural Committee Email: Rakkoor@hotmail.com Mahendra Amin 327-0913 Facilities Management Committee Email: Miamin@aol.com Kailash Bafna 372-6620 Deity Procurement Committee Email: Bafna@wmich.edu Brij Bhargava 375-6474 Fund Raising and Membership Committee Email: Beekbee5680@hotmail.com Ramesh Patel 329-2524 Facilities Renovation Committee Email: Rcp1123@msn.com (Not Board Members) Sunder Hattangadi 962-8466 Youth Council Email: Sunderbh@home.com Ajay Gupta 324-7992 Web Site Development Committee Email: Guptaak@Yahoo.com
Co-Editors: Gopal Singh & Mohanram K Indo American Cultural Center & Temple Tax ID: 38-3205077 Phone: (616) 324-8224

Minutes of the Meeting Between the IACCT Deities Inauguration Committee & Swami Bodhananda

(September 6, 2001)

As explained in the August Newsletter, a Deities Inaugurations Committee consisting of Ravi Akkoor, Brij Bhargava and Subhas Ravi was formed by the IACCT Board to meticulously decide and delineate the entire process of Deities Inauguration. The following minutes of the committee meeting with Swami Bodhananda delineate the decision making process:

Ravi Akkoor had tasked Pradip Sagdeo to research about Deities Installation Process & Procedures by talking to priests from various Hindu temples in and around Michigan. Pradip had done a very exhaustive research on this subject and briefed every one about the requirements. During the discussion the following were resolved:

1. All priests explained that multiple Deities installation in one Temple is a unique situation being faced with the Indians in North America. While it is not done in India, it is apparent that we have to live with it and work around to accommodate it.
2. Normally, Lord Ganesha should be the first Deity in the Sanctum arrangement (from left to right – clockwise while facing the Sanctum). Our arrangement calls for Nandi and Shiv Linga as the first set of Deities. Also, the abhishek and drainage related issues were discussed. Swami Bodhananda stated that as long as Ganesha is next to Shiva, it is also appropriate to install Ganesha as the second Deity in the order. Lord Ganesha can still be worshipped first, before worshipping any other Deity.
3. Based on the above discussion, space availability, weight distribution, abhishek and drainage concerns, the order of placing the Deities was left as previously approved by the IACCT Board: (clockwise from left to right while facing the Sanctum):
1. Nandi & Shiv Linga
2. Lord Ganesha
3. Radha – Krishna
4. Ram Darbar
5. Laxmi – Narayana
6. Goddess Durga
7. Lord Balaji
4. There are auspicious days of the week to invoke installation Pooja for each of the Deities as follows:
1. Sunday - Lord Ganesha
2. Monday - Siva Linga & Nandi
3. Tuesday - Goddess Durga
4. Wednesday - Ram Darbar
5. Thursday - Radha – Krishna
6. Friday - Laxmi – Narayana
7. Saturday - Lord Balaji
5. Normally, the Moorties for each Deity and the immediate platform where the Deity is placed should be sanctified at the same time immediately followed by the Deity relocation & installation. Each Deity should be installed on its auspicious day. A detailed discussion followed about the logistics of moving the Deities one day at a time and going through the sanctification and installation process without interfering with other previously sanctified and installed Deities. Swami Bodhananda explained that this is unique in our situation, since we are installing multiple deities in one Temple. Normally in India, you would install the principal deity on its auspicious day with appropriate rituals and be done with it. He suggested that in this unusual setup, it would be appropriate to sanctify all the Deities and the Sanctum on one day - move the Deities the same day - followed by proper ritualistic installation of one Deity at a time on its auspicious day as soon as possible thereafter. The other placed Deities that have not been invoked as installed can be curtained off in the mean time.

6. Pradip said that he is well versed in the Deity Installation Pooja and rituals. Furthermore, he will make himself available and prepare for such a task, if he is asked to do so.
7. Swami Bodhananda’s schedule permits him to be in Kalamazoo and be available to facilitate the Deities installation process between the dates of October 17 through October 28, inclusive.
8. It was also thought desirable to begin the Deities inauguration process with Lord Ganesha. Also, on the first and last day of the installation a Havan should be included.
9. Based upon the conclusions from steps 4,5,6,7, and 8, the following was decided:
1. Sanctify the Sanctum and all Moorties and move them on Friday, October 19. This work can start as early as possible during the day to ensure completion on the same day.
2. Each Deity set should be curtained off separately.
3. The Navaratri Program sponsored by Gopal & Kamala Singh (previously scheduled at the Temple during Sept 17 – 25) has been cancelled because of the apparent schedule conflicts with the inauguration activities. The Lecture Series by Swami Bodhananda on Navaratri would be changed to Lecture Series on the Deities being inaugurated.
4. Invoke the inauguration process on Sunday, October 21 by proper ritualistic installation of Lord Ganesha with a Havan. Also, end the inauguration process by a Grand Pooja on the last day (Sunday, October 28) followed by a Havan.

10. We have to perform proper visarjan for the broken Moorti of Goddess Laxmi. The visarjan should be done in a lake or a river. If that is not possible, a bhu-visarjan can be done within the IACCT premises.

11. Once the Deities are properly installed, a daily Pooja of the central deity (in this case Ram Darbar) needs to be performed. The short form of this Pooja called Panchopchar has to be performed each day at a fixed time. The IACCT Board is in the process of deciding as to how this can be managed regularly without exception.

The Committee also recommended that as part of the fund raising efforts for the IACCT Temple, a Pooja Sponsorship should be offered during the inauguration week. While the participation in the inaugural Pooja is open to all members of the IACCT community, those sponsoring the Inaugural Pooja for their selected Deity (Istdev) would receive special privileges. Two categories of sponsorships were recommended as follows:

$501 Inaugural Pooja Sponsors:

The sponsors in the $501 category (for each Pooja being sponsored) will be seated at the Altar with the Priest. They will perform the shodashopachar Pooja of the deity under the guidance of the Priest.  This includes making the various offerings, abhishek and offering of flowers with the chanting of 108 names of the deity. They would be the first to pick up the Aarati lamps and first to offer the Mantrapushpa.  They would have the option to offer a new Sari to cover their selected deity as a sanctified gift which will be given back to the lady of the house after the Inaugural Pooja.

$251 Inaugural Pooja Sponsors:
The sponsors in the $251 category (for each Pooja being sponsored) will be seated in the front two rows, and be provided with two metal stainless steel plates by the Temple. They will have the option to bring their own metal plates, and a small statue of the deity whose Pooja they are sponsoring. The Temple will provide flowers and other dry items (Haldi, Kumkum, etc.) for the rituals that they would offer to the small deity next to them. They would have the option to offer a new Sari to cover their selected deity as a sanctified gift which will be given back to the lady of the house after the Inaugural Pooja.

All sponsors:

    a) Should observe upavasa (fast) on the day of the Inaugural Pooja.  Fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, and

items made of potatoes, tapioca, without normal everyday spices are ok to eat.
    b) Should take bath before coming to the Temple for the Pooja.
    c) Should wear freshly washed (preferably traditional) or new clothes.
    d) Should remove all items made of leather (belts, wallets, etc.) from their person before sitting for the Pooja.

The Committee presented the above recommendations (except the details of the Pooja Sponsor Privileges) to the IACCT Board on September 9. The Board, unanimously approved the committee’s recommendations.

(323-1880) to sign-up for help.

The Schedule of Events During the Inauguration Week

Sunday, October 21 - Lord Ganesha

10:00 am – 11:45 am, Installation Pooja, Havan and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Ganesha

11:45 am –12:15 pm, Inauguration Opening Ceremony
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm, Discourse on Lord Ganesha by Swami Bodhananda

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Lunch

Monday, October 22 - Shiv Linga & Nandi

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Shiva

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Discourse on Lord Shiva by Swami Bodhananda

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Bhajans of Lord Shiva & Aarati

Tuesday, October 23 - Goddess Durga

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Goddess Durga

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Philosophy of Devi by Swami Bodhananda

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Bhajans of Goddess Durga & Aarati

Wednesday, October 24 – Ram Darbar

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Rama

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Discourse on Lord Rama by Swami Bodhananda

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Bhajans of Lord Rama & Aarati

Thursday, October 25 – Radha - Krishna

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Krishna

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Discourse on Radha-Krishna by Swami Bodhananda

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Bhajans of Radha – Krishna & Aarati

Friday, October 26 – Laxmi - Narayana

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Vishnu

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Discourse on Laxmi-Narayana by Swami Bodhanand

9:00 pm – 9:30 pm, Bhajans of Laxmi-Narayana & Aarati

Saturday, October 27 – Lord Balaji

10:00 am – 11:15 am, Installation Pooja and Chanting of 108 Names of Lord Balaji

11:45 pm – 12:00 Noon, Discourse on Lord Balaji by Swami Bodhananda

12:00 Noon – 12:30 pm, Bhajans of Lord Balaji & Aarati

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, Lunch

Sunday, October 28 – All Deities

10:00 am – 11:30 am, Grand Pooja & Havan

11:30 am – 12:00 Noon, Inauguration Closing Ceremony

12:00 Noon – 12:45 pm, The IACCT Temple & The Indian

Community of Greater Kalamazoo – Address by Swami Bodhanada

12:45 pm – 1:00 pm, Aarati

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Lunch

the format and contents of the Web Site:

Ajay Gupta (Chairman, Web Site Development Committee)

Vade Kiran

Samir Kulkarni

Amit Ubale

Manohar Viswanathan

The Web Site contains the following sections:

1. Indo American Cultural Center & Temple

a. Purpose

b. Services Offered by IACCT

c. Temple Deities

2. Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen – 2001

3. Policies & Procedures

4. Events

a. Regularly Scheduled Events

b. Upcoming Events

5. Current Newsletter

6. Membership

a. How to become a Member

b. List of the current Members

7. Directory Update for Addresses

8. Suggestions for Improvements

9. Facilities

a. Address, Phone No., Tax ID

b. Directions to Reach

10. Related Links

UPCOMING EVENTS: 1. Friday, October 12, 7:00 p.m. Chitravina Concert by Ravikaran (Sponsored by IACCT) 2. Sunday, October 14, 11:30 a.m. (Satsang – Sponsored by Praveen & Tanu Tyle) 3. Sunday, October 21 Through Sunday October 28: The IACCT Deities Inauguration (Please see the special insert on this subject) The Lunch on Sunday, October 28 is being sponsored by Arun & Shalini Tandon, Satish & Snageeta Singh, Vikas & Anjali Goel and Uma Valupillai. 4. Sunday, November 11, 11:30 a.m. (Satsang – Sponsored by Manoj, Sadhana, Saroj & Kanchan Singh) NEW IACCT WEB SITE The new IACCT web Site is about ready and will go live within the next few weeks. The site address is very simple to remember: KalamazooTemple.org We wish to acknowledge the hard work of the following individuals who have been diligently shaping

Indo American Cultural Center & Temple 2002 Ramona Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49002