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Chicago IL: Sri Venkateswara Swamy (Balaji) Temple, Aurora, Illinois observed Tyagaraja Aradhana on Saturday, January 21; this was the 23rd year of this event at the temple. On the Indian (Hindu) calendar Pushya Bahula Panchami marks the day Carnatic music’s Saint-Composer Tyagaraja attained Samadhi in the year 1847 at Tiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu, India. Accordingly, devotees of Carnatic music and Saint Tyagaraja all over the world observe the Aradhana around this time. On Saturday about a hundred and forty people performed Saint Tyagaraja’s Kritis in programs that lasted about eight hours. Balaji temple follows its own unique tradition of the Aradhana. The program started promptly at 11 AM with Sita Rama Kalyanam. At appropriate points during the Kalyanam, a group of seven children rendered four Utsava Sampradaya Kritis (USK) of the Saint – Shobhaane (Pantuvarali), Nagumomu galavani (Madhyamavati), Kouvai unnaade (Devagandhari) and Sita Kalyana Vaibhogame (Kurinji). These haunting melodies elevated the Sita Kalyanam to a delightful marriage of music and ritual. After the Sita Kalyanam, the program continued at the Sannidhi, as done in Tiruvaiyaru, with Chelulara (Kharaharapriya) performed by a violin-led group, followed by Guruleka (Gouri manohari) violin solo. The Pancharatna Kriti group was next, in which about fifty […]

Chicago, IL: Manav Seva Mandir located at 101 S. Church Road, Bensenville , IL celebrated Makar Sankranti by performing Nav Grah Puja on Saturday, January 14, 2012. More than 25 couple participated in Nav Grah Puja which started at 5:30 PM. This sacred evening was attended by over 400 devotees witness the special evening Puja ceremony. Donation for performing Puja was $51.00 per family. We need the blessings of the all nine planets known as Navagraha’s to have a life that is free from various types of problems that may trouble us from time to time. Navgraha The nine (nava) major celestial bodies (Grahas) of Hindu astronomy. These celestial bodies are Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai/Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node). What is Navgraha Shanti Puja? The nine “grahas” or planets in our horoscope influences one’s daily performance which influences one’s future performance or karma, desires and ultimate outcomes. Each of these nine planets exerts positive and/or negative influence in our lives, which is called “dasa” and it can be predicted by expert called Jyotish from one’s horoscope. Navagraha Shanti Puja is undertaken to reduce the negative […]

Chicago IL: Janvi was granted her angel wings on January 14, 2012 following a brief illness. Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival and consider to be divine day for Hindu culture. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends. Janvi had touched so many in some small way throughout her short, yet very memorable, life. Janvi’s life would seem too short to many; however, those who came in touch by her understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. Her gentle smile could melt the hearts of those around her. Though she never spoke a word her voice and thoughts could always be heard. Janvi was born on September 26th 2001 with a rare genetic disorder resulting in mental and physical handicap since birth. This made her appear frail. Despite these obstacles, she possessed strength, perseverance, and an ability to overcome incredible odds. Sweet, funny, friendly, spunky…these are but a few words that come to mind when we think about Janvi. Janvi, with her chubby cheeks, pigtails, endearing personality and beautiful eyes, immediately won everyone’s hearts. With her courage she led us to believe that each day is a […]

Chicago, IL: Lohri, popular Punjabi agricultural festival, was celebrated with great fanfare at Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, IL. Lohri was celebrated with traditional food of Saag (mustard) and Makki (corn) ki roti and lassi (buttermilk), bonfire, tappes, and songs suitable for the occasion. The temple priests, Shastri Yogesh Pandya ji and Pandit Dinesh ji, along with help from Deepak and Mona Sharma, Vipan & Sangeeta Wadhera, Subhash & Kiran Sharma and Akshay & Suchitra Sarkar created a beautiful exhibit of traditional Lohri items. There were models of Charkha, well with utensil to draw water, front of a house with traditional paintings of Diyas (tea lights) and cut out of people with dhols. Traditional Makke ki roti, Sarson ka Saag and Sweet & Salty Lassa were in abundance. Mrs. Nirmal Bagga, Mrs. Aruna Lal, Mrs. Suvarsha Sehgal, Mrs. Madhu Gupta, Mrs. Prem Salwan, Mrs. Indu Bhardwaj, Mrs. Navdeep Sharma and lot of other volunteers helped in preparing all delicacies. India House Schaumburg also donated Makke ki Roti and Sarsen ka saag for the occasion. Mrs. Sneh Chaudhary prepared Pineapple Burfi for the occasion. Mrs. Malkeet Kaur Kalsi and several other devotees prepared Saag and Rotis at home and bought to […]

Chicago IL: Youth Outreach, Developments in Literacy (YOUR DIL) hosted its first event of the new year, netWork it for Education: Celebrating Literacy One Child at a Time, at Reza’s Restaurant in downtown Chicago on Saturday, January 14, 2012 to raise funds for schools in Pakistan. The event featured networking activities for young professionals and an inspiring talk from Ethan Casey, a veteran journalist, editor, and author who writes extensively on Pakistan and other developing countries. A vocal advocate for harmonious relations between the United States and Pakistan and longtime supporter of DIL, Ethan spoke to an engaged audience of YOUR DIL Chicago’s young professional supporters about his experiences living and traveling in Pakistan and working with DIL’s schools in Pakistani villages. Addressing young Pakistani-Americans as “vanguards of the Pakistani community in the United States,” Ethan provided insightful advice on how they can help to bring better awareness of Pakistan to the American people. “Your generation is on the verge of really bursting out into American society in a great way. … One of the simplest ways that you can help to create better understanding of Pakistan in America is just by being yourself, being professional and courteous in your […]

Chicago IL: “If you want to get what you have never gotten, you have to do what you have never done”. These are the words of Acharya Vivekji at the latest Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) retreat2012 in Chicago. Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, is a branch of Chinmaya Mission focused on spreading a message of spirituality to youth. It was founded in 1975 by Swami Chinmayananada with a mission to “empower youth with the vision, values, and dynamism for success in all fields”. CHYK is present in over 120 cities on four continents and has made its mark on youth in the world today. CHYK discussions are held on college campuses and are very popular with university students. CHYK retreats are also held across the nation during almost every month, with the number of retreats and camp attendees increasing with each year. The spiritual retreat conducted in Chicago Badri Center, 11 S. 80, Rt 83, Willowbrook, IL, on January 13 to 15, 2012 brought over 90 people from around the country with a practical theme. “Holistic Habits: Make, Break, and Sublimate” read the poster for this camp. During those three days, we learned how exactly to achieve the making, breaking, and sublimating […]

Chicago IL: Hari Om Mandir located at 6N020 Medinah Rd, Medinah, IL celebrated New Year with Pooja by the temple priests on 10.00 AM, Saturday, 31st December 2011. This was followed by the beginning of Akhand Ramayan Path. The path went on for full 24 hours and ended on January 1st 2012. Around midnight several devotees came to Mandir to celebrate New Year. At around 11:45pm Mr. Subhash Sharma & Mrs. Rama Kapoor along with Bhagat Mandli started Satsang and hanting “Jai Shree Ram” till dawn of the New Year. The path ended on January 1st around 11 AM. More than 400 devotees and their families enjoyed the New Year program at Hari Om Mandir Several volunteers came forward to read the Ramayan during the day and night. Kitchen was open during the entire event and devotee kept coming to worship and assist in the Kitchen. Outgoing president Nirmal Bagga thanked all the volunteers and devotees for their help and support during her tenure. Mr. Ayodhia N Salwan, Chairman Board of Trustees, welcomed the new president of the Executive Board, Mr. Rajeev Bharel. Mr. Rajeev Bharel in his speech appealed to everyone to step forward and Donate their time as […]

Chicago IL: Waterford Banquet hall located at 933 South Riverside Drive in Elmhurst , Illinois with Pritesh Gandhi collaboratively hosted the New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, December 31st, and joyfully welcomed 2012. A spectacular New Year’s Eve event attracted large crowds of enthusiastic, fun-loving celebrants. both young and old, from the Chicago land area. This extraordinary family friendly event started at 8 pm and was enjoyed by about 700 plus guests from the greater Chicagoland region. The event had fibulas Las Vegas theme which generated a lot ecstasy in the audience. Las Vegas party themes are very popular for all types of events — weddings, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, proms, bridal showers, charity events and more. Party theme ideas, like Las Vegas, transport guests to make-believe world for the evening. All the gambling machines was rented by Jokers Wild Entertainment Casino Rentals. Blackjack, Craps, Texas hold’em, Roulette, Poker Tables and Slot machine were in lobby of Waterford park. Person dressed up like Elvis Presley and 2 Sexy, Tall and pretty Go-Go dancers make guest believe that they are in Las Vegas. The party had the best of music, entertainment, food and beverages. There was open bar from the beginning to […]

Chicago, IL: Shri Jalaram Mandir located at 425, Illinois Blvd , Hoffman Estates , IL , celebrated Volunteer Appreciation dinner with Bollywood songs on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 7:00 pm. A sentimental evening was performed by “Soham musical group” in filmy style with old and latest songs, which made the whole atmosphere joyful. More than 250 plus volunteers and their families enjoyed the special evening. 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. Friday, December 30, 2011, was a day to appreciate every single person who had devoted their time towards the Mandir’s progress. In honor of such commitment Jalaram Mandir Board decided to have a beautiful way to say thanks to all the volunteers with a Musical night and splendid dinner. 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 […]