Devotees celebrate Jalaram Jayanti with festive spirit

Chicago IL: 214th Birth Day of Jalaram Bapa was celebrated by Shree Jalaram Mandir on Saturday, the 9th November, 2013, on 7th of Kartak Month of Vikram Samvat 2070. Whole Program was successfully accomplished with the support from Trustees, members of Executive Board of Shree Jalaram Mandir, Volunteer Brothers and Sisters and New Generation youths-Boys and Girls born and brought up in America. More than thousand people participated with full devotion in this Program. Program started with Puja from 9-00 am. Onwards. The entire program was, Kalash Puja, Dhaja Puja, Maha Puja, Aarti and Mahaprasd and Sangeet Sandhya. The day started with Kalash Puja followed with Dhwaj Puja, Maha Puja and Annakut. People from all walks of life flocked to the temple to participate in Jalarma Bapa’s 214th birth anniversary. Bapa is deemed to be incarnation of Vishnu and has millions of followers not only in Gujarat but across the world.

The Main Yajman for the Maha Puja were Shantanu/Tanuja Govilkar, Yajman for Dhaja Puja were Bhupenbhai/Amyben Ray and Yajman for Kalash Puja were Rashmiben and Jitendrabhai Patel and Hasmukhbhai/Tarulataben Thakkar. . Over six hundred devotees had come from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They participated in Arati and were served with Prasad. Bapa Birthday was celebrated with birthday song and cake cut by Kids with Birth Day Song.

Flag (Dhaja) is being kept on temple with a view to let people see it from distance and recognize that there is a temple. One, who performs ‘Flag Pooja’ is considered righteous (lucky). On account of Wind and Rain flag gets torned, therefore every year, it becomes necessary to change it. Because it belongs to temple, when we perform ‘Flag Pooja’, our devotion and trust increases that is the fundamental feeling behind this.

Rounded pinnacle at the top of a temple (Kalash) is spreading its glittering rays around all the directions like Glittering Sun. It is a ‘Symbol of Prosperity. It is said that when Deities (Gods) and Demons churned the ocean to obtain Nectar, God Dhanvatary came out with a Nectar Pot (Amrut Kumbh). God Dhanvantary is considered as a Compiler of Ayurveda and ‘Nectar Pot brought by him was worshipped by all Deities. Keeping these feelings in the mind, worshipping ‘Kalash’ is being performed.

Old flag was taken out and new flag was installed and at the top of the temple, Kalash was installed. Noteworthy aspect of whole planning and execution was that brunt of the whole work was taken up by New Generation Youth-Girls as well as Boys voluntarily. Out of these whole lots, most of them are born and brought up in America-not in India. In spite of adopting Positive Effects of American atmosphere, they have kept intact Indianism. Volunteers rendered their services everywhere, including arranging chairs and tables, decorating, helping in kitchen for preparing Maha Prasad and assisting in the office were all handled and taken care of skillfully.

Jalaram Mandir has been organizing events in mind boggling fashion depicting unique example of Team Work and credit goes not only to Board Members but to every individual who participated with zeal be it an executive or volunteer. The entire venue was filled with enthusiastic devotees.

The evening program consisted of music by Mayuri Patel who captivated over 700 devotees with her melodious singing of Bhajans in praise of Bapa and other gods and goddesses. Bhajan Sandhya with Mayuri Patel entertained the audience with soulful music.

Shree Jalaram Mandir was inaugurated on the March 8th, 2008. It was a dream of many devotees and followers of Jalaram Bapa to establish Jalaram Mandir. With a determination to realize that dream, Jalaram Organization was established in December, 2006. With the help of Generous Donations from many Donors and Volunteers $1.25 Million Dollars’ worth property was purchased.There are lots of Temple in Chicago however Shri Jalaram Mandir is only Mandir that celebrates Volunteer Appreciation dinner with music and masti. At present, Mandir has team of 250 volunteers, who are involved in various activities and perform duties with all their heart.

Pujya Jalaram Bapa born in a village Virpur of Saurashtra, Gujarat State, India, whose 210th Birth Day was celebrated by Shree Jalaram Mandir on Sunday, the 25th, October, 2009 at 425, Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates, Illinois- 60169 in a magnificent way in presence of more than 1000 persons.
Throughout the world, whose followers are spread, such Serviceable and Benevolent Saint was born on the 4th November, 1799 in Virpur village which is situated at a distance of 52 Kms from Rajkot. Right from birth his sacrament were such that no Saint or Sage used to go without food or bear handed from house of his mother Rajbai or father Pradhan Thakkar. At the young age of 16 years, Jalaram Bapa got married to Virbai, a daughter of Pragjibhai Thakkar. Jalaram Bapa had no interest in his father’s business or world. He used to absorb himself in the service of Saints and Sages only. Instead of joining his father’s business, he started living with his uncle, Valijibhai Thakkar.

At the age of 18 years, he established Shri Bhojalram of Fatehpur as his Spiritual Guide (Guru) and with his blessings started Sadavrat (Daily distribution of food freely to the mendicants. His wife Virbai also joined him in this activity. In this place of Annakshetra (Place of daily distribution of food freely to Saints, Poor and Beggars) every one used to get full food without discrimination of Race or Kind. Jalaram Bapa died on 23rd. February, 1881, yet all the activities those he nourished is still continuing without break. There are innumerable incidences of Miracles attached to his name, which itself is a sign of firm respect in him by his devotees and followers.

Jalaram Bapa’s Trance and Head Quarter at Virpur is a place of pious pilgrimage for his devotees and followers, world over. Here there is a significant importance of seeing Jalaram Bapa’s Bag and Wand, every one and feels very satisfied having performed hi duty. Yet another most significant importance and precedence is of eating freely distributed food in total group among every one sitting together without discrimination of Race or Kind, Rich or Poor, Small or Big, Higher or Lower sitting and eating together the same food. This has become precedent being maintained without fail throughout the world, wherever Jalaram Temples are located.

With the help of Generous Donations from Donors, 1.25 Million Dollars’ worth of property is to be taken up and it is expected that the next 215th Jayanti of Bapa will be celebrated in New Girbhgruh. Creation and expansion of this Temple is exclusively the result of generous donations and is certainly dependant on Donors’ Cooperation only, whose endless faith and devotion in Jalaram Bapa is a driving force behind development of this temple..

Trustees and Office Bearers of Shree Jalaram Mandir 2013-2014:
Trust Board Members: Hasmukh Thakkar-Chairman; Yogesh Thakkar – Vice Chairman; Chirayu Parikh – Secretary; Dharmendra Thakkar – Treasurer; Jasvant Patel – Comptroller; Harivadan Thakkar – Event Coordinator; Raju P. Thakkar – Construction Coordinator; Chandulal Thakkar – Maintenance Coordinator; Jigar Thakkar – Information Technology; Ashwin Thakkar – Fund Raising Coordinator
Executive Board Members: Bhupendra Thakkar – President; Rajendra J. Thakkar – Vice President; Vipul Thakkar – Secretary; Ravi Thakkar – Treasurer; Bakul Thakkar – Joint Treasurer; Jiga Thakkar -Cultural Secretary; Dipak Thakkar – Jt. Cultural Secretary; Chandrakant Thakkar – Kitchen Coordinator, Ramesh Thakkar – Kitchen Coordinator; Rajesh Thakkar – Printing & Publications, Mailing & Fundraising Co-op;

About Shree Jalaram Mandir: Regular activities at the temple include Bhajans on every Thursday, first and third Sunday, Sundarkand path every Saturday, Abhishek on Mondays and on Ekadashi, group Satyanarayan Katha, Jalaram Jayanti, lectures of saints from India and celebrations of all religious events like Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Navratri, Holi, Diwali and others. Ekadashi. On the humanitarian side the temple arranges annual health camp, provides free flu shots, arranges blood donation. Soon, there are plans to provide monthly medical clinic Seva, which will include doctor’s consultation, laboratory tests and providing free prescription medicines on an ongoing basis. Educationally, the activities include yoga classes, music teaching, Gujarati classes and religious classes. For more information about the Mandir and its activities, please call or visit Shree Jalaram Mandir, 425 Illinois Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 Ph: 847.490.5252 or www.shreejalarammandir.org