Jalaram Mandir Fundraiser Features Singers Bhanu Vora and Tripti Chhaya

Chicago IL: Jalaram Mandir hosted its annual fundraising dinner with a Gujarati cultural program by the Swarkinnari ensemble on Friday, September 6, 2013 for a full house audience at The Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows, Ill. Around $70,000 was raised to fund temple expansion plans, from about 6400 to 14000 square feet, and for installation of the divine image (murti pratishtha) planned for 2013-14. Located at 425, Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates, Ill., the temple is dedicated to saint Jalaram, who is especially venerated in Kathiawad region of Gujarat state, most of all by his wider Thakkar community both in India and across the diaspora. Inaugurated in March 2008, temple membership has grown to over 4200 across North America. The event was coordinated by Jalaram Mandir’s Chief Priest, Board of Trustees, and Executive Committee. The event brochure featured messages of felicitation from Chairman of the Temple’s Board of Trustees Hasmukh Thakkar and Temple President Bhupendra Thakkar.

After a social hour that lasted till 7:00 pm, MC Vipul Thakkar began with the invocation of Jalaram and welcomed the guests. Assisted by co-MC Ravi Thakkar, he Invited dignitaries and chief organizers to the stage, where the temple priest Shree Katenbhai Jani recited auspicious Vedic verses before they were individually honored with bouquets. This was followed by the playing of US and Indian national anthems. The conspicuous presence of State Senator Dan Kotowskey, Mayor of Hoffman Estates William McLeod, and State Reps. Fred Crespo and Michelle Mussman, and Village Trustee Gary Pilafis, was gratefully acknowledged.

Patron and community leader Sunil Shah, who had arranged for these guest dignitaries to be present, introduced each of them individually starting with keynote speaker Kotowskey, who was praised for his various philanthropic activities. Kotowskey, who showed surprising knowledge about the spiritual life and humanitarian vision of Jalaram, especially recounted and held up the anecdote of feeding 3 hungry Muslims, despite their diffidence on religious grounds, as model of public service. “We should follow life and message of Bapa,” he declared.

McLeod stated that “Hoffman Estates is proud and privileged to host the temple and benefit from its public services. Religious institutions must complement the work of government.” He effusively praised contributions of Indians and of India to the wider American community.

Vipul then invited temple and community benefactor Kamal Vibhaker to say a few words. Before the Mandir was started in March 2008, prayers were conducted at individual homes. The mandir took out a mortgage loan in the amount of $1,018,000 in 2008 and has paid off $328,000 in just very short period of five years. Several projects have been completed, including parking lot construction, elevator, kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovation, and water sprinkler system for the landscaping, all per city rules. All of these had been made possible through the generous donation from devotees. Kamal pleaded for generous donations to support its cultural, religious, educational, and other activities.

Vipul then presented the eight-member Swarkinnari musical group from Mumbai led by Bhanu Vora and Tripti Chhaya. The latter began with an invocation of Ganesha, other gods, and Jalaram. Vora spoke in praise of the US-settled community’s retention of Indian and Gujarati culture, without failing to remind them of their cultural roots in Kathiawad with homely and often rustic humor, such as defending ticketless train travel in court, between their musical numbers. Such a “Dairo” program typically consists of Gujarati folk songs, interspersed with jokes and other light entertainment. They were accompanied by singers Dharmendra Gohil and Priyanka Marolia, Bhavesh Dave on keyboard, tablist Prakash Parmar, Bindesh Pande on Side-Rhythm, Pramod More on dholak (drum). Together they kept the audience spellbound with elder women at some table swaying and even dancing on their seats to the lively rhythms and sentiments.

Vora, who began at the age of nine, has been singing devotional and folk songs in India and before the diaspora across the world for the past 44 years and has published more than 40 CD album representing a wide variety of song genres and humor. He has often dedicated his talent towards raising funds for various philanthropic causes. A devoted social worker in his spare time, he provides services to senior citizens. Vora and Chhaya, whom he met in 1990, started the Swarkinnari group in 1992. Chhaya, who has an MA in with Psychology, is likewise a versatile singer who can sing both light classical, popular, and folk songs with equal ease.

The entire Jalaram Temple team comprising of governing members, pujari (priest), and volunteers did excellent job of making this fundraising event a success.