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[Volume 2 Edition 1] 1
KrishnadhamUSA (Vaishnav Samaj of RTP Inc) Non-Profit Organization (Id: 47-4639529)
June 2018 Mailing Address: 135 Parkway Office Ct., Suit 201 Cary, NC 27518
Message from President:
Jay Shree Krishna to all RTP vaishnavs.
KrishnadhamUSA project is progressing very nicely. Our 16.5 acres land is cleared of trees, and we sold the timber that paid for the clearing cost plus some extra for the project. We have received three bids for the site plan development. They are being evaluated and contract will be awarded next month.
The “Krishna Ek Prem Gatha” drama was a big success and was well received by the community. It was executed without any flaws. The credit goes to the Executive Committee members and the volunteers who fulfilled their assigned task with full commitment. On behalf of the KrishnadhamUSA, we appreciate their dedication.
Shrinathji Darshan / Satsang on every Saturdays, monthly Pushtimarg utsav celebration / Manorath and monthly Prabhu Padharamani satsangs are well attended by vaishnavs. More and more vaishnavs are attending these activities. This meets our goal of providing opportunity to triangle area vaishnavs for their personal spiritual uplift. Each event is getting better as we learn more and more about Pushtimarg. The Pushtimarg education classes are in recess due to summer.
Our next big event is Shri Krishna Charitramrut Katha by Vaishnavacharya Goswami 108 Shri Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri from July 20 to 24. Executive committee is working very hard to organize it in such a way that, it becomes a unique experience for all vaishnavs.
Please participate, support these events, and take advantage of it.
For KrishnadhamUSA Executive committee
Arvindbhai Shah
What is KrishnadhamUSA
KrishnadhamUSA’s mission is to foster richness of Hindu cultural heritage and Pushtimarg in our children and to provide learning experiences on our cultural values to visitors and residents alike. Our goal is to unite all vaishnavs in RTP area.
Religious objectives of KrishnadhamUSA shall be to:
• Perform religious services as per the teaching of Jagadguru Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji; • Celebrate Pushtimarg traditions; • Establish, manage, promote, and / or guide Hindu-Vaishnav-Pushtimarg Haveli and community center in RTP area. • Provide and support Hindu-Vaishnav-Pushtimarg religion related events, interchanges and cooperation among the followers
in the United States.
Educational objectives of KrishnadhamUSA shall be to:
• Establish, promote and maintain educational programs and conduct public awareness seminars, workshops and lectures related to Pushtimarg philosophy;
• Acquire and publish books/articles/manuscripts/magazines on Hinduism (including Pushtimarg) and Indian culture; • Create Web-Site to provide educational information about Hinduism (including Pushtimarg) • Make available Hindu-Vaishnav-Pushtimarg religious educational resources thru E-Books Library. • Invite descendants of Shri Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhuji for religious discourses and to promote interfaith harmony. • Promote study and understanding of Hindu-Vaishnav-Pushtimarg religion.
Social objectives of KrishnadhamUSA shall be to:
• Assist and promote charitable community service activities in the United States and around the world, • Be a responsible organization in the community.
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KrishnadhamUSA Activities
1. Shrinathji Darsan & Satsang every Saturday from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. We meet at 4000 Bearcat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560 for Satsang or monthly Manorath
2. Pushtimarg classes for children on Saturdays at HSNC Learning Center. (Please note the classes are now in Summer recess)
3. Prabhu Padharamani on every 4th Sunday of the month. We meet at a Vaishnav family’s home to celebrate Shrinathji homecoming. Prabhu Padharamani. is meant to provide vaishnavs an opportunity to experience divine presence of Thakurji and inspire and purify our thoughts and actions. For the duration of 4 weeks, Vaishnav family gets opportunity to learn and do Shrinathji shringar & seva.
4. Monthly Utsav to celebrate Thakurji Leela on 2nd Saturdays of Month from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. We have included brief summary of Utsavs celebrated since last newsletter in this newsletter.
5. Humanitarian Project: Roti Kapada Makan - On the day of Pitru Shardha (Hindu holiday), we are donating vegetarian grocery to Soup Kitchen/Shephrded table to feed homeless in downtown Raleigh. Last year community members donated more than $2,000 and with the help of Food lion store, totally food items worth $2600 were donated to Soup kitchen to feed homeless.
Calendar of upcoming Events
List of upcoming Utsavs are included below:
Date Utsav
July 20-24, 2018 Shri Krishna Charitramrut Katha by Param Pujya Goswami 108 Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri
August 11, 2018 Bagicha / Vegetable Hindola
September 8, 2018 Nand Mahotsav
October 6, 2018 Nav Vilas Utsav
November 3, 2018 Deepmala Mahotsav
All vaishnavas are welcome to join the Satsang and Utsav. This is also an excellent opportunity for you to celebrate personal landmark events like birthdays, anniversary etc. with all vaishnavs by becoming Sponsor for the Utsav or for the Food. For Utsav sponsor, please contact one of the event organization committee members
Shri Krishna Charitramrut Katha
By
Param Pujya Goswami 108 Vrajrajkumarji Mahodayshri
Place: Hindu Society Of North Carolina Hall
309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
Utsav and Katha Details
7/20/2018 - 6:00pm: Shobha Yatra and Kalas
7/21/2018 – 2:00pm – 10:00pm: Nand Mahotsav
7/22/2018 – 2:00pm – 10:00pm: Krishna Bal Leela
7/23/2018 – 6:00pm – 10:00pm: Govardhan Leela
7/24/2018 – 6:00pm – 10:00pm Raas Leela / Vivah Khel
For Padharamani and Manorathi details, please contact KrishnadhamUSA Committee members.
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Past Programs
Since our last newsletter, KrishnadhamUSA celebrated several manoraths. Our sincere thanks to
• All Manorathis for sponsoring and supporting manoraths. • All the volunteers for making delicious food and helping tirelessly for success of the manoraths.
• All vaishnavs who attended and made all manoraths one of a kind.
If you have any suggestions for the Newsletter, please provide your feedback by contacting one of the KrishnadhamUSA
committee members or send email to [email protected]
Mahaprabhuji Pragatya Utsav – April 14, 2018
Shri Mahaprabhuji (Vallabhacharya) was born on the 11th day of Chaitra Vad Vikaram Samvant 1535 in Champaran. His father's name was Shri Lakshman Bhattaji & mother's name was Illammgauriji.
Mahaprabhuji founded the Pushtimarg ("the Path of Grace"), a Vaishnav sect of the Hinduism.
More than 125 vaishnavs celebrated this Utsav with Vaishnavacharya Shri P.P Goswami 108 Shri Kamleshkumarji 's Amrut vani and Mahaprabhuji kirtans followed by Maha Prasad.
Manorathi: Gopi & Chintan Dhangdhariya, Niti & Mitesh Modi
Hatadi Utsav – May 12, 2018
Nand Nandan is today seated in the Hatadi (Market) and each and every Vraj jan receives prasad from Thakurji himself. Anything one describes one gets and it is given by none other than our Thakurji. He calls every Vraj bhakts by their name and distributes vividh items himself.
More than 100 vaishnavs celebrated the Hatadi utsav with Kirtans followed by Maha Prasad
Manorathi: Smita & Ashvin Desai, Smita & Piyush Sura
Shri Yamunaji Utsav – June 9, 2018
In Pushtimarg, two mothers are popular. One is Yashodaji and the other is Yamunaji. Yamunaji is the mother of all vaishnavs.
Shri Yamunaji is the daughter of Surya (Sun) and sister of Niyamak (Yam). Mythologically: Shri Yamunaji carries garland of lotus in her hands for Lord Krishna. Where there is Krishna, there is Yamunaji. Krishna is the King of Kings, so Yamunaji is Queen of Queens (Patrani). Shri Yamunaji is the giver of “Ashta Siddhi”.
Vaishnavs celebrated this Utsav with Yamunaji’s kirtans followed by Maha Prasad.
Manorathi: Smitaben & Vithalbhai Shah
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KrishnadhamUSA Children’s classes
One more year of Pushtimarg education class ended on May 19, 2018. In last school year, students participated in various cultural and religious activities in the community. We also added few new things in our curriculum such as Yamunastakam per students wishes, in addition to learning Hindu religion and Pushtimarg way of life. The program installs pride and confidence in Hindu religion and Pushtimarg practices.
We invite all interested children to join us for next school year starting in September every Saturday for well researched curriculum and leadership program. Development of spirituality, leadership, self-esteem, combine with well-planned modules to raise awareness for Hindu and Pushtimarg way of life. Arm with Interactive learning methodology teachers will be covering how to manage new skills and spirituality within diverse culture and religion environment.
Our special thanks to Mr. Naresh Gandhi for the Leadership classes, Mrs. Suruchika Bhatia for being our substitute teacher and Mr. Piyush Sura for helping throughout the year. We Hope to see more of you in fall.
Jay Shree Krishna.
Kirti Gandhi
Education Coordinator
Vote of Thanks to our Volunteers during Utsav Celebration
Everyone may not be aware that preparation for monthly Utsav starts at least 2 weeks in advance. First Utsav team decides which Utsav Manorath will be celebrated. Utsav team starts getting Thakurji Vastra-Shringar & decorations ready. Next is mahaprasad preparation. Varsha Shah & Heena Majmudar gets busy preparing menu, & then looking for Volunteers to prepare Mahaprasad. Volunteer vaishnavs come forward & help out in the preparation. Thanks to vaishnavs bahenos for preparing mahaprasad.
Night before Utsav, the Utsav team, Sandhya Shah, Mukesh Shah, Manisha Patel, Gaurang Majmudar, Heena Majmudar, get together at the hall to do Pichhvai & Thakurji Shringar. We are also thankful to Kapilamasi & Rajnikantbhai to help us with decorations. I will like to thank Ketki Kashyap Shah for preparing Thakurji mala for every Utsav.
On the day of Utsav, the Utsav team is at the venue at about 3:30 for final preparation. Hemant Sura always helps out by coming early. Ashvinbhai & his team get ready to arrange mahaprasad & setup of table & chairs. Ashvinbhai & team do a great job distributing mahaprasad as well as cleaning afterword. During Utsav, kids perform different activities, thanks to kids as well as Kirti Gandhi for preparing the kids. After the Utsav, Utsav team along with Hemant Sura stays behind cleaning the hall & take down all decorations. Special thanks to Yogesh Patel for his Dhol seva.
On behalf of Krishnadham team I will like to extend my sincere thanks to Hemant Sura, Binita Sura for letting us use such a nice facility & Utsav team as well as Ashvinbhai & his team of volunteers for their hard work and continuous support. Volunteer vaishnavs makes Krishnadham successful.
I appeal to all vaishnavs to come forward to do Thakurji seva & be part of Krishnadham Success.
Gaurang Majmudar
Event Coordinator
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KrishnadhamUSA Executive Committee
Responsibility Name Phone # Email Address
President Arvind Shah 919-233-7677 [email protected]
Senior Vice President Hemant Sura 919-608-2412 [email protected]
Secretary Piyush Sura 919-362-6408 [email protected]
Treasurer Rita Mody 919-467-7273 [email protected]
Jt. Treasurer Kirti Gandhi 919-233-3450 [email protected]
Regular and Special events
Gaurang
Majmudar Heena Majmudar
919-539-3848 919-523-1041
Prabhu Padharamani, Katha Manisha Patel 919-622-4514 [email protected]
Prasad Management Ashvin Desai 919-633-4795 [email protected]
Religious communication Mamata Soni 919-302-8563 [email protected]
Senior Coordination Smitaben Shah 919-398-4278 [email protected]
Community projects Bina Shah 919-233-7677 [email protected]
Fund Raising Dr. Janak Choksi 336-269-2068 [email protected]
Web site, A/V support Mukesh Shah 919-467-6866 [email protected]
Advisor Dr. Hemant Sheth 919-219-8018 [email protected]
KrishnadhamUSA Haveli - Site Design & Construction status
Initial review with Chatham County completed
Concept reviews including drawings and programmatic evaluation completed
Perk Test, Geo-Tech survey, Site Survey & Wetland survey completed
Tree removal completed. We also received payment from contractor for timber.
Site plans preparation for Chatham County permit are under progress
Preliminary building space design is under progress
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[Volume 2 Edition 1] 7
Pushtimarg Education Corner
Pushtimarg and Astasakha:
The three pillars of Pushtimarg are
• Kirtans (bhakti Sangeet) considered a part of rich historical traditions in Pushtimarg
• Bhog (Pure vegetarian food offerings excluding onion, garlic, cabbage and root vegetables), and,
• Vastra & Shringar (Dressing up Thakorji with beautiful clothes, headwear and jewelry adornments).
Thakorji's seva is performed in darshans according to the various seasons and days. Thakorji darshans are Mangla, Shringar, Gwal, Rajbhog, Utthapan, Bhog, Sandhya Aarti and Shayan. During each of these eight darshans, Shri Thakorji's eight poets (Astasakha) sing various Kirtans with different bhavs.
Ashta sakhas or eight poets are listed below:
1. Kumbhandasji - lived till the ripe old age of 115 years and wrote in excess of 4000 padas in honor of his beloved Shri Govardhandharan – Shrinathji. He had a great affiliation to the Nikunjlila – sakhi bhava.
2. Surdasji - lived for remarkable 105 years and wrote in excess of 125,000 padas. 25,000 of these have Surshyam as his signature, which is belived to be Shri Kurshna’s / Shri Radha's own creations for him to help him achieve his goal of 125,000 padas. He was prolific writer. His favourite deity was Shri Mathureshji. Surdasji had a great affiliation to Bala-lila (childhood pranks of Krishna), Mana-lila (Krishna appeasing his beloved) and Gaucharan-lila (when Krishna was herding the cows in Vraj).
3. Parmananddasji - is reputed to have lived till he was 91 years old and wrote in excess of 2000 padas, found mainly in his compilation called ParmanadaSagar. He was very fond of Shri Navneetpriyaji and had great affiliation towards the childhood pranks of the Shri Krishna.
4. Krishnadasji - lived for 84 years and wrote about 700 padas. Most of these are found in his work, titled KrishnaSagar. He loved the form of Madanmohanji and loved the Rasa-lila of the Shri Krishna.
5. Govindswami - Having lived till he was 80 years old, he wrote over 400 padas. He was especially fond of Shri Dwarikadhishji and loved Hindola (monsoon festival, when the Lord swings on hindolas) and the Aakhamicholi-lila (hide and seek)
6. Chhitaswami - Lived for about 70 years and wrote 200 plus padas. He was fond of Shri VitthalNathji’s svaroop and loved the Janma-lila – the festival celebrating the “birth” of Shri Krishna.
7. Chaturbhujdasji - He lived a mere 45 years and wrote over 200 padas. He loved Shri GokulNathji’s svaroop and loved the Annakut (feast offered at New Year’s festival) and Govardhanlila (when the Lord lifted mount Govardhan) of the Lord.
8. Nanddasji - He lived till he was 52 years old and wrote over 400 main padas and wrote PanchaManjari. He was especially fond of Shri Gokulchandramaji and loved the Kishorlila (youthful activities), RasaPanchadhyayi (the Rasa lila, as described in the fives chapter of Shrimaada Bhagvatam), Bhramargeet (when Shri Radha teaches devotion to Shri Uddhavji through the medium of the bee).
