Hindu Temple of St'Louis

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Hindu Temple of St.Louis

• Welcome to the Fund Raising Dinner
• July 11, 2009 ( Saturday)

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Maha KumbhabhishekamOctober 1 4,
2009Thursday Sunday
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Sanatana Dharma

• Sanatana Dharma, popularly known as Hindu
  Religion, gives us liberty to worship the supreme
  in many forms of which Prathima Upasana is
  widely prevalent.
• One should begin by seeking God at least in one
  object (Saligrama, Linga, Sculpture, Sri Chakra
  etc.) through consecration, which is the
  rationale behind Prathima Upasana, consecration
  through the medium of consecrated idol or symbol.

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Sanatana Dharma

• Therefore, we architect and build temples where
  we can focus the power of the Lord in a
  CONSECRATED IDOL.
• The process of consecration is called Prana
  Pratishta.
• Only by consecration does even a traditionally
  sculpted idol become an altar of worship.

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Maha Kumbhabhishekam Significance

• Agama sastras say that through time, due to
  intended and unintended deficiencies during
  worship, and demands by devotees, the Deities
  divine power gets progressively diminished. It
  recommends for punar-uddharana (rejuvenation
  ritual) kumbhabhishekam - every twelve years.
• Human omissions and commissions call for
  re-consecration every twelve years, the period
  that Jupiter ( Guru) takes to complete a full
  round of the Zodiac.

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Maha Kumbhabhishekam Significance

• This rejuvenation is important to recharge and
  maintain the divine vibrations of the installed
  Deities.
• It further says that kumbhsbhishekam is also
  recommended when the temple has to undergo
  renovation, jeerna-uddharana (rejuvenating the
  worn).

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Kumbhabhishekam

• During this elaborate religious event several
  homas are conducted according to agamas. The
  priests will perform havans/homams in the
  yagashala outside the temple over the week to
  infuse divinity and spiritual power into 108
  kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with
  consecrated water, with vedic chanting and
  religious rites.
• This was done 12 years ago when this temple was
  consecrated.

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The Celebrations

• This Maha Kumbhabhishekam Mahotsavam (auspicious
  celebration) spans over several days. Specially
  trained ritviks, well versed in reciting the
  Vedas perform preparatory yajnas and poojas to
  invoke the divine spirits. For many of us, this
  is a once in a lifetime opportunity to
  participate in a kumbhabhishekam, which is of
  great spiritual and religious significance and an
  important milestone in our temples history.

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Two Decades Ago..

• The Hindu Temple of St. Louis was formally
  registered as a not for profit organization in
  the state of Missouri on March 7th, 1988.
• Bhoomi Pooja (ground breaking ceremony) was
  performed on April 21,1990.
• The architectural plans were drawn by the famous
  V GANAPATI STHAPATI and Associates of CHENNAI,
  INDIA

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Twelve Years Ago..

• The construction was started on July 12, 1995.
  Eleven shilpis (artisans) came from India on Jan
  21, 1997 to complete the project. The PRANA
  PRATHISH TAPANA and KUMBHABHISHEKAM celebrations
  were done on July 6, 1998
• The last phase construction including RAJAGOPURAM
  was immediately started. Finally NAVAGRAHA PRANA
  PRATHISH TAPANA and RAJAGOPURAM- KUMBHABHISHEKAM
  took place on July 8, 2000.

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Our Temple Highlights..

• Over period of time, The Temple has been a major
  contributor to our community in St Louis
• The Temple has show cased Our religion in
  positive way to the western world, helping them
  to appreciate our Culture, beliefs and faith
• All major Hindu festivals are celebrated in the
  Temple with devotional and cultural fervor and
  enthusiasm
• The Temple draws on an average 60000 devotees per
  year and during our important festivals 1000
  devotees per day!(KRISHNAASHTAMI..)

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Community Outreach efforts..

• Major Events organized by the Temple beyond the
  Important Festivals include
• The Health Fairs , Blood Donation camps Bone
  Marrow drives
• Free Health and Legal Counsel
• The Youth Group Volunteering Activities for the
  Needy
• Bringing together Cultural events such as
• Nataraja Aradhana A combined presentation from
  all Classical Dance Schools in St Louis
• Thyagaraja Aradhana A combined presentation
  from all Classical Music Schools in St Louis

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Maha KumbhabhishekamOctober 1 4,
2009Thursday Sunday
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The Maha Kumbhabhishegam Appeal

• Dear Friends and Families of the Hindu
  temple of St. Louis,
•   Namaste and greetings,
•  I am excited to inform you that the
  Temple is preparing to celebrate the Maha
  Kumbhabhishekam
• (re-consecration of the deities) in
  October. The steering committee of the Hindu
  Temple of St. Louis has bestowed a great honor
  upon me by appointing me the chairman of the Fund
  raising committee. In this capacity I write to
  you seeking your help in our fundraising efforts.
  Although we raised 500,000 during PRANA
  PRATISHTHA in 1998, the target for the upcoming
  celebration is 250,000, which, while accounting
  for inflation, is a significantly less amount.
  Indeed this goal is formidable considering the
  current economic situation, however it is not
  unachievable. 
• For this purpose, we have arranged a
  special kick-off dinner on Saturday, July 11th in
  the temple basement at 6.30 P.M. At the meeting
  we will give out information regarding details of
  various poojas and levels of sponsorship while
  also welcoming pledges and donations.
•  
• As Maha Kumbhabhishekam literally
  means re-energizing the deities I am already
  re-energized and I invite you to join me in that
  spirit as well to make this event unforgettable.
•   With warm personal regards,
• Sharad Parikh,M.D.
•  

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Preparations

• Renovation and Repairs
• Sanctum Sanctorum (Pooja shrines)
• Redecorating Shrines/Sculptures
• Repairs and Painting of Temple
• Providing additional beautifications
• Improving the facilities

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Balalayam
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Pooja October 1 , Thursday

• Morning
• Maha Ganapati and Akalmasha Homams
• (Inaugural Homa to Ganesha and removal
  of
• hurdles and blemishes)
• Evening
• Deeksha and Akhanda Sthapana
• (Ritrugvarana)
• (Sacred vows and priest duty assignment)

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Pooja October 2 , Friday

• Morning
• Punyahavachanam and Dhuja/Kouthuka
• Murthy / Vimana Kalasas nethronmelana
• (Purification of yagasala and opening of
• deity eyes adhivasa)
• Evening
• Parivara Kumbha Sthapana, Navagraha/
• Moorthy Homa and Chaturveda Parayana
• (Kalasa pooja and Homa for the nine planets
• and chanting of 4 vedas)

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Pooja October 3, Saturday

• Morning
• Kumbha pooja, Jaladhivasam, Rudra homam
• and Bali (Pooja to kalasas, water immersion of
  deities, homam for shiva, with symbolic
  sacrificial food offering to deities).
• Bhajans (2 4 PM)
• Evening
• Asta Bandhanam, Sahasrahuti homam, Navaratna
  Adhivasam (Binding of deities till reinfusion of
  divine powers, Homa for all worship items,
  adhivasa with the nine jewels of the deities).

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Pooja October 4, Sunday

• Morning
• Kalasa Udwasana, Vimana Kalasa sthapana, Dwaja
  peetha sthapana, Dhwaja stambha Sthapana,
  Mahakumbha abhishekam of Vimanas, dhwajas, and
  deities, Rituvik Sanmanam
• (Reinfusion of divine power into all deities,
  closing ritual archana, honoring the invited
  priests with offerings)
• Cultural Program ( 3 5 PM)
• Evening Srinivasa Kalyanam

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Temple Expense Details

• Our Temple has operational expenses of 55,000
  per month.
• We have a land loan of approx. 680,000.
• In addition, we have plans to expand the temple
  facilities on the newly acquired land.
• Our objective is to make this place a spiritual
  home for every one in this community.

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Maha Kumbhabhishegam Related Expenses (Estimates)

• Construction
• Shilpisvisa, travel,salary,food,health
  insurance 70,000
• Material
  30,000
• Dhwajasthambham
  
  20,000
• Priests 11,400
• 11 priests, sambhavana, travel and
  accommodation for guest priests
• Pooja Materials
  
  6,400
• 10 big kalasas, 108 small kalasas,
  vastrams, etc.
• Gold Plating
• 16 kalasas on the gopurams
  8,000
• Kavachas and ornaments of deities
  8,000
• Publications
• Special brochures, flyers
  15,000
• Souvenir
  7,000
• Flowers (Pooja only)
  5,000
• Food
  
  22,000
•                       
  
  Total            202,800

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Why the Temple needs your support

• Temple Reserve Funds are for a Rainy Day and
  it is not prudent to utilize reserves for this
  one time Expenditure (Endowment Concept)
• Temple Reserve Funds also was impacted by the
  Stock Market situation due to Economic downturn
• Temples are Built to- Last and hence Ongoing
  maintenance and care is important to provide
  Devotees a clean and serene place for worship

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Appeal for Donations

• Benefactor
• 25,000 or more
• Will get a swarna pooja kalasa, special
  collectors item gift, one silk shawl,
  participation in all poojas and homas, and one
  full page ad in temple souvenir. Participation in
  Srinivasa Kalyanam.

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Appeal for Donations

• Grand Patron 10,001
•     will get a special collectors item gift, one
  pooja Kalasa, participation in all poojas and
  homas, and one full page ad in temple souvenir.
• Patron 5001
• will get a special item gift, one pooja Kalasa,
  participation in all poojas, and one-half page ad
  in temple souvenir.
• Special sponsor 1001
• (will participate in all poojas, one kalasa)
• Pooja Kalasa sponsor 501
• Individual Event Homa sponsorship 101
• (with participation) 
•  
• Individual Event Pooja Sponsorship 101
• (with participation)

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Appeal for Donations

• Individual Pooja sponsorships
• Day 1      Day 2    Day 3        
• Morning   51 51  51        
• Evening   51  51  101   
•      
• Sunday (Morning only)    151

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Appeal for Donations

• SPONSORSHIP OF SPECIAL ITEMS
• Dhwajasthambham and Balipeetham 20,000  
• 9 inch silver replica of Dhwajasthambham 501
• Srinivasa Bhoga Moorthi           
                          2,500
• Surya Katari for Lord venkateswara     1,000
• Gold coating of Vimana kalasas  (16)           
  500 (each)
• Garudavahana                                      
                  10,000
• Nandivahana                                       
                    10,000

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Appeal for Donations

• RAJAGOPURAM 
• Dwarapalakas (Facing East )(12)  1,000
  (each)
• Varaha Moorthi (Facing North)(5) 1,000
  (each) 
• Narasimha Moorthi (Facing South)(5)
  1,000 (each)
• RENOVATIONS
• SHRINES-repairs, renovations including
  replacement of moulds Ashtabandhanam for Moola
  Vigrahas, repainting of walls, doors.  
• Venkateswara                                      
          1,000  
• Rama Parivar                                 
                1,000  
• Krishna and Radha                                 
    1,000  
• Mahalakshmi                                       
          1,000  
• Shiva Parivar                                     
              1,000

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Appeal for Donations

• KOSTHA MURTHIS
• (small vigrahas on three sides of each shrine)
• Venkateswara Shrine
  
• Varaha Moorthi 300 
• Narasimha Swamy 300
• Vishnu 300 
• Rama Shrine
• Yoga Rama   300
• Rama 300
• Bhardrachala Rama 300

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Appeal for Donations

• Radha Krishna Shrine
• Bala Krishna 300          
• Santhana Krishna          300
• Venugopala Krishna 300
• Mahalakshmi Shrine
• Sri Lakshmi on all three sides     300
  (each)
• Shiva Shrine
• Brahma          300 
• Dakshina Moorthi      300           
• Lingothbhava 300

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Appeal for Donations

• GOPURAMS (repairs, renovation, paint)
• Venkateswara                                      
             2,500    
• Rama                                         
  2,500     
• Radhakrishna                                  
                2,500     
• Mahalakshmi                                       
             2,500     
• Shiva                                             
                     2,500
• Rajagopuram                                       
             15,000
• FLOWERS (for Puja)
• All four days 10000

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Appeal for Donations

• ANNADANAM
• October 1st Thursday Lunch 1250
• October 1st Thursday Dinner 1250
• October 2nd Friday Lunch 2250
• October 2nd Friday Dinner 5000
• October 3rd Saturday Lunch 5000
• October 3rd Saturday Dinner 5000
• October 4th Sunday Lunch 6000
• October 4th Sunday Dinner 1500
• Individual Sponsorship 200
• Groceries or donations towards Annadanam are
  welcome.

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• Please mark your calendar for
• October 1- 4, 2009 (Thursday-Sunday)
• To attend
• Maha Kumbhabhishegam
• And let us make this a memorable event !
• Next Kumbhabhishegam 2021
• Donate generously Please
• No amount is small

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Maha Kumbhabhishegam Fund Raising Committee

• Chairman
• Sharad Parikh
• Vice Chairman
• Ashwin Patel
• Members
• G. V. Naidu
• Rao Ayyagari
• Sendil Rathinasabapathy
• Rajya Laxshmi Naidu
• Anantharama Balachandran
• J. Sawardekar
• Suresh Shah
• Puran Luthra
• Jyoti Rout

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Maha Kumbhabhishegam Steering Committee

• Krishna Reddy
• GV Naidu
• Sharad Parikh
• Ayyagari Rao
• Puran Luthra
• Sendil Rathinasabbapathy
• Malathi Reddy
• Jiwan Singla
• Vijay Kumar Buddhiraju
• Venkat Dharmavarpu
• R.Kaza
• Anantharama Balachandran
• Jothika Manapalli
• KV Rao
• Prasanna Ayer

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Questions ?
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Thank You

• We appreciate your support and presence
• We thank you for the Contributions and
• Donations