India Post 19June 6, 2014 Community Across Americawww.indiapost.com

Samuhik Satyanarayan Katha at Grays Lake TempleGEETHA PATIL

CHICAGO: Hindu Mandir of

Lake County performed Samuhik

Satyanarayana Katha on Saturday

May 31 with more than 300 devo-

tees participating in the event.

Performing the ritual of

Satyanarayana Katha especially

on a community level seemed to

have gained popularity in mod-

ern times. It helps in promoting

closeness and harmonious rela-

tionships in the community and

to overcome adversity, resolve

problems and difficulties in our

lives. It was really pleasing to see

the gathering of different Indian

communities at this event.

At 6 pm, the temple priests, Pt

Anil Joshi and Pt Ganesh wel-

comed the enthusiastic devotees

gathered for this auspicious

Katha. They performed Ganesh

pujan, Kalasha Sthapan, and

Satyanarayana and Laxmi pujan

in a traditional manner by chant-

ing Shree Narayana's numerous

names, making offerings of flow-

ers, fruits, payers and home-made

Prasadam. Devotees were given

puja plates and performed the

same pujas along with priests as

directed by Pt. Joshi.

Pt. Joshi narrated the five

chapters of Katha and dwelt on

the significance of

Satyanarayana Katha in

Kaliyuga. The characters in the

stories represent the nature of

people in the world. Worshipping

the 'Lord of Truth' together with

family and community people

leads us to true knowledge, wis-

dom, and liberation whereas false-

hood leads to adversity and suf-

fering.

He said that the word 'Kali'

stands for 'Kalah". 'Kalah' means

the quarrel and conflict, may be

between close relatives or be-

tween close associates. The rea-

son for 'Kalah' is ignorance about

our true existence, and true aim in

life. Once we submit ourselves to

Shri Satya Narayan, who is the

ultimate personified Truth, we re-

alize the temporary nature of our

body and all the persons and

things associated with it.

Melodious devotional songs

sung by Rita Patel, Atul Soni, Vasu

Choksi, and Vishwanathan and

excellent Shlokas and practical

advice by Pt. Joshi kept the devo-

tees captivated for more than two

hours. Felicitation of Shri

Natesiyer, Shri Rajagopalan, Shri

Prabhakar, and Shri Ishwar was

done by Pt. Joshi and Pt. Ganesh

for their commendable services in

making Maha Rudram function

(held in the beginning of this

month) a grand success by offer-

ing them beautiful turbans and

Uttariyas.

Shri Natesiyer, the Secretary of

the temple, thanked all the devo-

tees for spontaneous and over-

whelming support to all the

temple events. Maha Mangalarati

was performed after the blessings

given by Pt. Joshi for everyone's

happiness, prosperity, and peace.

Delicious Maha Prasad prepared

by the volunteers of the temple

kitchen was served to all.

The start of the Katha

Katha Aarti

Vaishnav Samaj raises $ 1 mn for its projects

Asian Media USA

CHICAGO: Shreeji Dwar Haveli

established by Vaishnav Samaj of

Midwest (VSM) Addison, held its

fund raising dinner on Sunday,

June 1 at Meadows Club in Roll-

ing Meadows to raise funds for

the construction of expanded

Haveli building with well-planned

facilities for kids, youngsters,

youth, senior citizens and persons

of all ages.

Shreeji Dwar is attracting large

and growing number of devotees

from Chicago and Midwest area.

It is becoming difficult to accom-

modate large number of devotees

in the current facility.

The fundraising event was at-

tended by 700 devotees that in-

cluded majority of Founder Trust-

ees, Trustees, Board of Trustees

(BOT), and Life Members. PP

Yuvacharya Vrjaraj Kumarji graced

the occasion and gave a heart felt

discourse clarifying some of the

issues raised by devotees. He

gave examples of moving

Shrinathji's statue. He gave the

example of Shrinathji's original

haveli moving from Giriraj to Nath

Dwara which took two years.

He emphatically declared that

Pushti Marg is broad and inclusive.

It welcomes anybody (including

persons from other sects and even

non Hindus) who have love and

respect for Lord Krishna. He gave

the example of Goswami title given

Community stalwards Dr Bharat Barai and Narendra Patel flanking

Dr Umang Patel, President of the organziation

to Gusainji by Muslim King Akbar.

The event started with dis-

course and was followed by

bhajans by Gauri Pathare. Swar

Surita entertained the audience

with Bollywood songs. Shilpa

Purohit, architect, presented and

explained in detail the drawings

and proposed view of the Haveli

expansion/construction. Harish

Doshi presented Retrospect and

Prospects for the Haveli. Devotees

pledged generously.

VSM was able to raise more

than one million dollars. Dr Umang

Patel thanked everybody including

donors, devotees, guests, singers,

artists, and JJ. VSM management

led by Dr Umang Patel (President)

and Rajesh Shah (Chairman) and

majority of Founder Trustees and

Board of Trustees have ambitious

plans for the needs of devotees in

general and community as a whole.

Cont’d on page 20

President Umang Patel addressing the gathering Artists entertaining with Bollywood songs and bhajans Yuvacharya Vrjaraj Kumarji giving discourse on Pushti Marg