Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
SRI GANESHA TEMPLE, Plano, TX
Hindu Temple of North Texas
6508, K-Avenue
Plano, Texas
75074
Phone: (972) 943-9543
Sri Ganesha temple, Hindu Temple of North Texas, is a non-profit
religious organization registered in 2006 in the state of Texas. The goal of the organization is
to have a traditional Hindu temple based on Vaasthu and Aagama Shaastras and to
impart religious, educational and cultural values of Hindu Dharma to our
community and future generations.
Temple History
It all started in Summer
2005. Some friends gathered for a community prayer in Plano,
a booming North Texas city just north of Dallas.
Discussions centered on the religious and spiritual needs of Hindus in the
area, and everyone present agreed that there was a critical mass for building a
temple in the Plano area, to serve North Texas. Soon the idea took shape and a core group of
twenty people met several times to hammer out the details – the name for the
organization, the mission, evaluating potential locations, and identifying
major sponsors and support groups. Within the first few days of 2006, Hindu
Temple of North Texas (HTNT) was created with temporary officers, and the
temple was named Sri
Ganesha Temple.
Documentation necessary for certification as a charitable, non-profit
organization was prepared and filed with appropriate authorities.
In March 2006, the temple was
started at 910 West Parker Road,
Suite 340, Plano, TX, just minutes from Highway 75. The
temple opened for Hindu religious services with the Prana Prathishtapana of Sri
Ganesha and Lord Shiva. In November 2006, Prana Prathishtapana of Sri Murugan
with consorts Valli and Devyani was performed. During Summer 2007, Prana
Prathishtapanas of several deities were performed – Guruvayur Sri Krishna, Sri
Ayyappa, Sri Hanuman, Sri Durga and Sri Venkateswara, along with Sri Devi, Bhu
Devi and parivara devathas Sri Sudarsana and Sri Garuda.
With tremendous encouragement
and support from devotees, 10 acres of land was acquired at 6428 & 6508
K-Ave, Plano, TX, less than three miles from the current location. The location
is also less than thirty seconds from the Legacy exit off Highway 75. Sri Ganesha Temple’s five-year plan includes construction of a
permanent temple and installation of granite idols of the deities, a Learning Center,
a Cultural Resource Center
and a Kalyana Mantapam.
We renovated an exisitng building in our temple prorperty and moved our temple location in November, 2009 in a grand style. The deities were taken in a procession from the parker road location to the Ave K location with great religious fervor.
We renovated an exisitng building in our temple prorperty and moved our temple location in November, 2009 in a grand style. The deities were taken in a procession from the parker road location to the Ave K location with great religious fervor.
Sri Ganesha Temple
has been catering to the religious and spiritual needs of Hindus in North Texas for more than three years now. There is a
full time Office Manager to attend to the needs of devotees. This has been an
exciting beginning of the temple project marked by the tireless dedication and
generous support of devotees. On Ganesha Chathurthi Day, devotees waited in
line for more than an hour to seek the blessings of Sri Ganesha. The turnout on
other festival days, such as Navarathri, Deepavali, and Vaikunta Ekadasi was
equally impressive. That the devotees have gotten this far in such a short time
is a clear indication that Sri Ganesha’s blessings are with them. They are
confident that within a very short time the permanent structure will be built
to serve the North Texas Hindu community as a venue for practicing their faith
and for maintaining the Hindu culture, values and principles.
This is our temple. Sri
Krishna says in Bhagavat Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 48), “Karmanye Vadhikarasthe Ma
Phaleshu Kadhachana, Karma Phala Hethur Bhur Mathe Sangosthava Karmani”, we
need to do our duty and leave the results to Him. To build this temple for
ourselves, our elders and future generations, we need a large number of
dedicated devotees. With His grace and with our commitment (physical, moral and
most importantly financial), we can create the temple of our dreams for
generations to come.
Sri Ganesha
Sri Ganesha - Remover of obstacles
agajAnana padmArkaM gajAnanaM aharniSaM |
anekadaM taM bhaktAnAm EkadantaM upAsmahE ||
anekadaM taM bhaktAnAm EkadantaM upAsmahE ||
"I worship the elephant faced Lord Ganesha day and night, who
is like the sun to the lotus face of Mother Parvati. Giver of many boons, the
single tusked Ganesh, I salute Thee to give me a boon"
Lord Ganesha is God of knowledge and the remover of obstacles. He
is also the older son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak
(knowledgeable) or Vighneshwara (God to remove obstacles). He is worshipped at
the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.
Ganapathi Atharva Seersha Upanishad describes Ganesha as having an
elephant's head. He has one tusk (on right side) and four hands. In upper right
hand He is holding a noose, a goad in upper left hand and an elephant's tooth
in he lower left hand. The lower right hand is giving blessings and granting
boons. Lord Ganesha has a mouse as him emblem. He is red in color, with a big
stomach and ears like a small fan. He is wearing red colored clothes and His
body is smeared with red sandalwood paste. He is worshipped with red flowers. A
unique combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving tiny mouse
vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intelligence, and presence of mind.
Lord Ganesha's human body represents 'tvam', His elephantine
countenance representing 'tat' and their joining together signifies the
non-difference of 'tvam' (You) and 'tat' (Brahman). Thus, the body of Lord
Ganesha is the visible representation of the highest reality, Brahman, realized
from 'tat tvam asi'.
Lord Ganesha's ears signify that just as one uses a winnowing
basket to separate grains from dirt, one must use discrimination (viveka) to
separate the real (Brahman) from the unreal (mAyA). Lord Ganesha's ears
indicate that such discrimination between Brahman and mAyA is to be gained by
taking recourse to SravaNa or listening, particularly to the scriptures, from a
Guru. Lord Ganesha is also known as Ganapathi, the Lord of Categories. All that
can be counted or comprehended is a category (gana). The principle of all the
classifications through which the relations between different orders of things,
between the macrocosm and the microcosm, can be understood is called the
lord-of-categories (Ganapathi). The Mudgala Purana, an ancient text on Lord
Ganesha, cites His eight forms, prevailing over eight human weaknesses or
demons. Ekadanta is the Conqueror of Moda (arrogance); Dhumravarna (smoke
colored) overcomes Abhimana (pride); Vakratunda (curved trunk) is the
Vanquisher of Matsarya (jealousy); Mahodara (big belly) is Lord of Moha
(infatuation); Gajanana (elephant face) conquers Lobha ( greed); Lambodara
(corpulent belly) overcomes Krodha (anger); Vikata (deformed) conquers Kama
(lust); Vignaraja (King of Obstacles) prevails over Mamata (egotism).
Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals.
This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord
Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada
(August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted
Hindus in all parts of the world. Clay figures of the Deity are made and after
being worshipped for two days, or in some cases ten days, they are immersed
into water.
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated for ten days at the Sri Ganesha
Temple. Sri Ganesha Homam and Abhishekam are performed every morning. Lord
Ganesha is decorated with a special Alankaram every evening. Some of the
Alankarams used are Flowers, Sandalwood, Coins, Dry Fruits, Fruits, Vegetables,
Vibhooti and Kumkum. Each evening is culminated with Sri Ganesha Sahasranama
Archana.
Sankatahara Chathurthi (4th day of the waning moon) is a monthly
day of worship for Lord Ganesha. Every special program at Sri Ganesha Temple
starts with Sri Ganesha Homam. Sri Ganesha Abhishekam is performed every
morning.
There are many important Ganesha temples in India at the following
locations: Wai in Maharashtra; Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh; Jodhpur, Nagaur and
Raipur (Pali) in Rajasthan; Baidyanath in Bihar; Baroda, Dhokala, and Balsad in
Gujarat and Dhundiraj Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Prominent Ganesha
temples in southern India include the following: the Jambukesvara Temple at
Tiruchirapalli; at Rameshvaram and Suchindram in Tamil Nadu; Hampi, Kasargod,
and Idagunji in Karnataka; and Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh.
Deities in the Temple:
Sri Ganesha, Sri Durga, Sri Hanuman, Sri Murugan, Sri Ayyappan,
Sri Guruvayoorappan, Sri Shiva and Sri Venkateswara.
Temple Timings
Mon - Fri
9:30 am - 12:30 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sat - Sun, Holidays
8:30 am - 8:30 pmDeeparadhana
12:00 noon & 7:45 pm
Regular Pujas
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Daily
(Nithya) Puja Schedule
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Ganesha Homam
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Mon - Friday
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9:30 AM
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Ganesha Homam
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Sat - Sun
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9:00 AM
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Ganesha Abhishekam
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Mon - Sun
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10:00 AM
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Shiva Abhishekam
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Mon - Sun
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10:00 AM
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Deepa Aradhana
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Mon - Sun
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12:00 Noon
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Deepa Aradhana
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Mon - Sun
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7:45 PM
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Weekly
Recurring Puja Schedule
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Hanuman Chalisa
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Tuesday
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7:15 PM
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Lalitha Sahasranamam
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Friday
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7:00 PM
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Venkateswara Suprabhatham
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Saturday
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8:30 AM
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Monthly
Recurring Puja Schedule
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Venkateswara Maasa Puja
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First Saturday
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9:00 AM
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Guruvayurappan Maasa Puja
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First Sunday
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10:30 AM
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Purnima Durga Puja
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Purnima
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11:00 AM
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Ayyappan Maasa Puja
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Second Saturday
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6:45 PM
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Hanuman Maasa Puja
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Third Tuesday
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7:00 PM
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Durga Maasa Puja
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Fourth Friday
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6:45 PM
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Sankatahara Chaturthi Puja
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Krishna Chaturthi
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6:45 PM
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Subramanya Abhishekam
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Shukla Shashti
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6:45 PM
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Satyanarayana Puja
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Purnima
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6:30 PM
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Shiva Abhishekam
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Pradosham
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6:45 PM
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Ganesha Sahasranama Puja
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Shukla Chaturthi
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6:45 PM
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Guruvayurappan Abhishekam
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Ekadasi
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6:45 PM
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Subramanya Abhishekam
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Krithika
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7:00 PM
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Board of Trustees - 2013
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Executive Committee - 2013
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Chairman
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Manivannan Gnanavelu
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President
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Giridharagopal K
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Secretary
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Rajan Rathnasabapathy
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Secretary
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Shobha Sivanand
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Members
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Manmadhan Nair
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Treasurer
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Radhakrishnan Panicker
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Sathyajit Nair
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Associate Treasurer
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Ravi Appan
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Members
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Magaral Sridharan
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Santhosh Kumar
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Managers
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1. Raghavender Chickerur
2. Sudheer Pavath |
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Phone
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972-943-9543
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Email
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Daily
(Nithya) Puja Schedule
|
||
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Ganesha Homam
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Mon - Friday
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9:30 AM
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Ganesha Homam
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Sat - Sun
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9:00 AM
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Ganesha Abhishekam
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Mon - Sun
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10:00 AM
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Shiva Abhishekam
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Mon - Sun
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10:00 AM
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Deepa Aradhana
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Mon - Sun
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12:00 Noon
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Deepa Aradhana
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Mon - Sun
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7:45 PM
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Weekly
Recurring Puja Schedule
|
||
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Hanuman Chalisa
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Tuesday
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7:15 PM
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Lalitha Sahasranamam
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Friday
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7:00 PM
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Venkateswara Suprabhatham
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Saturday
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8:30 AM
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Monthly
Recurring Puja Schedule
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Venkateswara Maasa Puja
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First Saturday
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9:00 AM
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Guruvayurappan Maasa Puja
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First Sunday
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10:30 AM
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Purnima Durga Puja
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Purnima
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11:00 AM
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Ayyappan Maasa Puja
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Second Saturday
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6:45 PM
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Hanuman Maasa Puja
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Third Tuesday
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7:00 PM
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Durga Maasa Puja
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Fourth Friday
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6:45 PM
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Sankatahara Chaturthi Puja
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Krishna Chaturthi
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6:45 PM
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Subramanya Abhishekam
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Shukla Shashti
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6:45 PM
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Satyanarayana Puja
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Purnima
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6:30 PM
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Shiva Abhishekam
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Pradosham
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6:45 PM
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Ganesha Sahasranama Puja
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Shukla Chaturthi
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6:45 PM
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Guruvayurappan Abhishekam
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Ekadasi
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6:45 PM
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Subramanya Abhishekam
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Krithika
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7:00 PM
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Deity
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Coordinator
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Ganesha
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Hari Subramani / Srikanth Ganesan
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Shiva
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Valli Subramanian
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Balaji
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Giri Giridharagopal
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Guruvayoorappan
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Remya Pramod / Resmi Vicas
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Devi
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Radha Nair / Lakshmi Dantu
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Murugan
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Sridharan Magaral
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Ayyappan
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Sethu panicker / Sunil Nair
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Hanuman
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Srinvas Amble
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Priest :
Sarvasree Kannan Balasubramanian, Murikipudi Vijaya Prasad and Rajasekhar Sharma Chintapalli
Sri Kannan Balasubramanian received his Vedic training from Kanchi
Sankara mutt, Bangalore for eight years and obtained proficiency in Yajurveda
and Vedic rituals.
He worked as freelance priest from 1985-1997 at New Delhi, India, where he had plenty of opportunities to gain experience in all Vedic rituals, Hindu Marriages, Upanayanams et cetera catering to various Hindu communities in New Delhi.
He moved to USA and worked at Bharatiya Temple at Lansing, Michigan as Chief Priest, from 1998 to 2009. During this period he honed his skills in performing Vedic rituals, such as Archana, Abhishekam, Kalyana Utsavam, et cetera for all deities.
Sri Kannan is conversant in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and English.
He is with Sri Ganesha Temple since August 2009.
He worked as freelance priest from 1985-1997 at New Delhi, India, where he had plenty of opportunities to gain experience in all Vedic rituals, Hindu Marriages, Upanayanams et cetera catering to various Hindu communities in New Delhi.
He moved to USA and worked at Bharatiya Temple at Lansing, Michigan as Chief Priest, from 1998 to 2009. During this period he honed his skills in performing Vedic rituals, such as Archana, Abhishekam, Kalyana Utsavam, et cetera for all deities.
Sri Kannan is conversant in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and English.
He is with Sri Ganesha Temple since August 2009.
Sri Murikipudi Vijaya Prasad received his professional certificate in
Saivagamam from Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam’s school - Sri Venkateswara Veda
Vignana Peetham,Tirumala, AP India. He also has certificates in Veda Sastra
Aagama Vidvatsadassu and Parichaya Abhigna Sadhana.
He worked as priest from 2003-2013 in India Cultural Centre and Temple,
Memphis, Tennessee and in temples in India before moving to USA. He has experience
in performing various pujas like Satyanarayana, Navagraha, homas like Vastu,
Ganesha, Sudharshana, Kumbhabhishekam, Kalyana Utsavas and all other Vedic
rituals.
Sri Vijaya Prasad has experience in performing Grihapravesam, Nischayathartham,
Annaprasanam, Upanayanam, Marriage, et cetera.
He is conversant in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and English.
He has joined Sri Ganesha Temple in Feb 2013.
Sri Rajasekhar Sharma Chintapalli received his training at Sri Sankara
Gurukula Veda Paatashaala, Hyderabad and obtained proficiency in Krishna Yagur
Vedam (Kramaantham) and Vydeeka Smaartha Prayogam.
He worked as an independent priest from 2005-2008 and as a priest in Sunnyvale
Hindu Temple, California and Sri Venkateswara Temple, North Carolina, USA. He
has experience in Panchadasa Karmas like Seemantham, Grihapravesam,
Namakaranam, Marriage, Upanayanam, Homas viz. Rudra, Chandi, Sudharshana, Vastu
Satyanarayana Puja, and all Vedic rituals.
He is conversant in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and English.
Sri Rajasekhar has joined Sri Ganesha Temple in Feb 2013.
VIDYA VIHAR
To uphold the rich and varied cultural heritage
of India and also to inculcate good character and behavioral traits in our
kids, the HTNT Ganesha Temple is conducting several free classes on weekends. Please
subscribe to our email list to receive instant updates. Anyone who is 5 or
older can register. Please make use of this opportunity, encourage your
children to participate and kindly spread the word. The classes on offer at the
moment are as follows:
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Class Name
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Teacher
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Saturday
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Sunday
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Hindi Class
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Smt. Deepa Anand
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09:30 AM TO 10:30 AM
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-
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Tamil Class
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Smt. Kalai Nayagam
Gomathinayagam
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11:00 AM TO NOON
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Kannada Class
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11:00 AM TO NOON
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Kuchipudi Dance
Class
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Smt. Swapna
Ragaleena
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09:15 AM TO 10:00 AM
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Sloka Class
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Smt. Dr.
Nagaratina Salem
|
-
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10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM
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Bharathanatyam
Dance Class
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Smt. Madhusri
Sethuraman
|
-
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10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM
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Bhajan Class
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Smt. Vatsala Raman
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-
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11:00 AM TO NOON
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Bhagavad Gita
Class*
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Smt. Santhi
Mahadevan
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-
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11:00 AM TO NOON
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Upcoming Classes
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Veda Class
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Priest Kannanji
(starting Oct 07, 2012)
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Malayalam Class
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Smt. Karthika Arun
(start date TBD)
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-
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-
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Telugu Class
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Smt. G. Padmini (start
date TBD)
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-
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-
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Meditation Class
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Looking for
Volunteers
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Yoga Class
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Looking for
Volunteers
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Regular Services
Sri Ganesha Temple offers a variety of religious services to the
devotees. The temple priests provide services, either at the devotee's home or
the temple. Services at the temple can be either "Temple Scheduled"
(performed by the priest for several devotees as a group), or customized for an
individual devotee. Services can be scheduled by contacting the temple manager.
The availability of the priest(s) and any conflicts with the temple programs
will be taken into account while scheduling any service for a devotee. While
the temple strives to support the religious needs of all Hindus in North Texas,
circumstances beyond our control may limit the type and scope of the services
offered.
The realization of a permanent building for
generations to come can come only with commitment and support from the Sri
Ganesha Temple community.
Temple Etiquette
- The Temple is a place for worship and ritual. Should you want to chat with your friends, kindly go outside. Please be sensitive to those around you wishing to pray quietly.
- Please keep your children from running around and playing inside the building. It is understandable that children cannot sit quietly for a long period of time. When they get restless, parents should take turns to take them outside. This way at least one parent can benefit from the ritual while the other is supervising the children.
- Inside the Temple, cell phones/beepers must be on vibratory mode. If you receive a call, please go outside the temple.
- Shoe racks are provided, please use them. Do not place shoes near doors or on the floor.
- Please keep the premises clean. If you see trash anywhere, please pick it up - even if it is not yours.
- Mahaprasad Preparation: While preparing Mahaprasad please prepare satvik food (vegetarian without onions, garlic and a lot of spices).
- Chanting of Vedic Mantras and Slokas is the backbone of all poojas at the Temple. You are welcome to participate in the chanting. We provide copies of popular slokas in English and other Indian languages. Please check with the Temple Coordinator or the priests if you need a copy of the slokas before the beginning of the pooja. Please make every effort to chant in unison with others.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Please send your suggestions by sending an email to ganesha@htnt.org
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Sri Ganesha
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Ganesha Atharvasirsham
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Ganesha Ashtothara Namavali
|
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Ganesha Saharanamavali
|
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Sri Durga
|
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Lalitha Sahasranamam
|
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Mahishasura Mardini Stotram
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Devi Namskaram
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Durga Suktam
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Sri Suktam
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Medha Suktam
|
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Durga Ashtothara Namavali
|
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Durga Saharanamavali
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Durga Trisathi Namavali
|
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Sri Shiva
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Rudram
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Chamakam
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Lingashtakam
|
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Shiva Ashtothara Namavali
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Mahanyasam
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Sri Guruvayoorappan
|
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Vishnu Sahasranamam
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Purusha Suktam
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Vishnu Suktam
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Achyuthashtakam
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Narayaneeyam (100th Dasakam)
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Krishna Ashtothara Namavali
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Sri Venkateswara
|
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Venkatesa Suprabatham
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Venkatesa Sthothram
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Venkatesa Prapatthi
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Venkatesa Mangalasasanam
|
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Lakshmi Ashtotharam
|
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Venkateswara Ashtothara Namavali
|
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Sri Ayyappan
|
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Ayyappa Sahasranamam
|
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Ayyappa Ashtothara Namavali
|
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Ayyappa Bhajans
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Sri Murugan
|
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Kanthar Shashti Kavacham
|
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Murugan Bhajans
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Sri Hanuman
|
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Hanuman Chalisa
|
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Sankata Mochana Ashtakam
|
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Nama Ramayan
|
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Hanuman Ashtothra Namavali
|
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Miscellaneous
|
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Deepa Aaradhana
|
Weekends
Ganesha
Homam 9.30
am
Daily
Ganesha
Abhishekam 9.00 am
&
Shiva
Abhishekam 10..00 am
New Temple Location
Sri Ganesha Temple
6508, K-Avenue
PLANO, TX 75074
(Between Spring Creek and Legacy)
Phone : 972.943.9543
6508, K-Avenue
PLANO, TX 75074
(Between Spring Creek and Legacy)
Phone : 972.943.9543
Quote of the day
To work alone you have the right, but never claim its results. Let
not the result of actions be your motive, nor be attached to inaction. - Srimad
Bhagavad Gita
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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