Dear Devotees, I am Chetna Atreya, serving on the Cultural Committee at Hindu Mandir, Maple Grove, MN.
 
The Atreya Family has been very actively involved in the Mandir since the very beginning. My father-in-law, Mr. Rakesh Atreya is a former President of the Hindu Mandir and my mother-in- law, Mrs. Lata Atreya has been involved with the religious events. My husband, Naman has also been a former Executive Committee member as the Editor for the Mandir Patrika. I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful family who has been selflessly serving our Temple.
 
I am committed to the Hindu Mandir for organizing the Cultural events, on the auspicious occasions of Holi and Diwali festivals, along with my excellent team mates - Madhu Jain and Sangeeta Chopra. As a team, the three of us have been very successful in organizing some spectacular Holi and Diwali shows during our term. We have tried our best to bring forth the enormous wealth of talent in our community while raising record amounts of funds for the Mandir through these great shows. We have put our best foot forward by putting our heart and soul in the service of our Mandir and in an attempt to preserve and embellish Hindu tradition and cultural heritage. 
 Our main goals for these shows have always been -

In the upcoming years, we long to bring before our vibrant community some great shows and will not miss a chance to enthrall and enchant our wonderful high-spirited audience with some great talents amongst us. Like the shows in the past, the theme for the upcoming shows / events will also be inspired from one of the best qualities of India and her expert balance of different cultures. India's collective psyche has successfully struck equilibrium between what is old and new, modern and traditional, physical and spiritual. We promise to capture the spirit of this balance and coexistence in our cultural programs, exhibitions and vendor participation.

 

Cultural Committee
Hindu Temple of Minnesota

 

March 19th  Friday:-  Vasanth Navarathri
Vasant Navratri is the festival of nine nights dedicated to Hindu Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. In 2010, Vasant Navratri begins (date) on March 16 and ends on March 24. The temple was once again the spot for all devotees to gather to celebrate the event with usual pomp and devinity. By 6:30pm Basanth Navratri Maata Ki Bhajans revebrated at the main Sannadi. Abhishekam to Durga Mata followed by keertans sung by various devotees made the evening special.  The evening concluded with aarti and warm dinner served to all.
 
March 24th, 27th & 28th - Sri Ram Navmi Celebrations
Ram Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating of the birth of Lord Rama. With the dedicated effort of Ms. Kanak Dutt, Ms.  Naina Varnasi, Ms. Kamini Shah, and Ms. Kusum Saxena, the program was a fanfare for all devotees.  Starting sharply at 10:00am on 3/27/2010, a plethora of volunteer devotees, read the Akhand Ramayana amidst bhajans, kirtans and dances.  The 24-hour recitations concluded the next day at 10:30 am sharp. The recital was done insync with Sita-Ram Kalyanam as well. Truly our temple and its dedicated volunteers and event organizers are able to fulfil and satisfly our inner need to participate in all of our religious events with the same joy and devotion as most of us did growing up in India.  The afternoon ended with Aarti and lunch prepared and served by the Jain Samaj of MN, befitting a wedding reception.

 

March  28th Sunday  Panguni Uttiram
Panguni Uthiram is an important Tamil festival observed in the month Panguni (March - April). The importance of Panguni Utthiram day is that the star Uthiram coincides with the full moon day - Pournami. Hindu scriptures reveal that on this auspicious day Lord Muruga married Sri Devayanai. The event organized by Shri Murali Bhattar and Ms. Shanti Sury, is  a special celebration among Tamil Devotees.  The evening ended with dinner and socialization for all who came.  Our MN weather permitted for a warm and bright evening which made the festivities even better.
 
March  29th, Monday, Hanuman Jayanti

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. It is celebrated during the month of Chaitra.Hanuman Jayanthi is an important festival of Hindus. Hanuman is the symbol of strength and energy. Hanuman is said to be able to assume any form at will, wield rocks, move mountains, dart through the air, seize the clouds and rival Garuda in swiftness of flight. He is worshipped in folk tradition as a deity with magical powers and the ability to conquer evil spirits. The program is being coordinated by Mr and Mrs. Narendra and Sarita Garg.  It will be an all day event with the Sundarkand Havan being performed.  The event will be led by Shri  Jignesh Joshi.  The Hunuman Chalisa will be recited for 108 times and event will culminate with aarti and dinner. 

 

 
PS:  Event coordinators, for forthcoming events at the temple if you would like a provide a small write up, please feel free to do so and email me at anjali.agarwal@hindumandirmn.org

Dear Devotees, The Hindu Society of Minnesota made a donation of $5745.00 to the organization called "Doctors without Borders" for the Haiti Relief Fund. This organization has been the serving the world community over the years without any considerations for the race, religion or ethnicity. About five years ago this organization was recognized for its humanitarian work and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

The Hindu Society would like to express a sense of gratitude towards all the members of the Twin Cities Community who generously donated and raised these much needed relief funds for the suffering community in Haiti. 

Dr. Kumud S. Sane, M.D.
Chair, Trustee Executive Council
Hindu Society of Minnesota