Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA -87
























































Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA  







Hindu Temple of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska

Hindu Temple Ltd,.
13010, Arbor Street,
Omaha, Nebraska (NE) 68144
Tel: 402 – 697 – 8546

Temple History
The Hindu temple of Omaha has been serving members of the Hindu faith from the Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas since 1993.  The history of Hindu community in Nebraska dates back to the early 1970's when engineers and their families immigrated from India to the Omaha area.  These Hindu immigrants initially conducted the practices of their faith in their own homes.  In the mid 1970's, there was a second wave of immigrants from India to the Lincoln and Omaha area. A majority of these men and women were professionally trained, often as medical doctors.  During the past five years, the Hindu community in the Lincoln and Omaha area has continued to grow and these recent Hindu immigrants moving to Lincoln and Omaha are commonly employed in the computer and software industry.
In the early 1990’s, members of the Hindu community decided it was time to organize a central place for Hindu community worship.  In November of 1993, the community purchased the building they worship in today.  Over the past several years the temple has worked to raise money and the construction of a traditional Hindu temple in Omaha was completed in August 30th, 2004.

Demographics
Approximately 98% of the membership of the Hindu Temple in Omaha is of Indian descent and the remaining 2% of the population are primarily Nepalese.  A significant number of members are employed in medicine, engineering, and computers.  Because Lincoln and Omaha house the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Creighton University’s Medical center, there are also a number of Hindu students who worship in the community while pursuing their degrees. 

Description of the Center
The outside of the temple is divided into two distinct halves.  On one side is the new construction that is the traditional Indian Hindu temple.  The other half is the temple’s social hall and library.  To the side of the social hall is a pleasant kitchen area used by the temple to prepare community meals or for any catering for receptions. When the community first purchased the building in 1993 it was the gutted out remains of what had been several restaurants.The temple’s social hall is used by the Indian Association of Nebraska and is also rented out to the public for special events Center Activities
There are several different services that the temple offers the community.  The temple is open all days of the week.  On Sundays, Sunday School is held for students aged 6-12.  The temple is also organizing their 13-18 year olds into a youth group.  Kundalini Yoga Classes are also held at the temple from 6:15-7:45 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The social hall also houses events for the community and for the Indian Association of Omaha such as speakers, musicians, and other cultural events. In addition to the events held at the temple the community publishes their Deepam newsletter four to six times a year.

Cooperative relationships
As a community, the Hindu Temple has enjoyed a great deal of interaction with other religious traditions in the community.  They are members of the Lincoln Interfaith Council and they interact with other faith communities.  They are also involved in many different community service types of projects.  They hold a health fair every year, work with the AIDS foundation, speak at churches and schools about the Hindu faith and India, The temple held an interfaith fast for 48 hours during which members of the community fasted and prayed for earthquake victims in Bhuj, India.  Their efforts raised $35,000 for earthquake relief.
As a community, the Hindu Temple of Omaha believes they have not faced any major obstacles or problems.  The community feels lucky because some cities do have problems with hate crimes against the Hindu community.


Priests:
Pandit Nagabhat Vidyashankar
Phone: (402) 493-1793   
Pandit Damodara Bhattar
Phone: (302) 521-9987
Sthapati :
K. Chandrasekaran
Phone: (402) 812-5654 
Temple Timings:
Weekdays:   10:00 AM - 1:00 PM   and   5:30 - 8.30 PM
Saturdays:     9:00 AM - 1:00 PM   and   5:30 - 8.30 PM
Sundays:      10:00 AM - 2:00 PM   and   5:30 - 8.30 PM



The 3-days long grand Sri Maharudram , a rare and unique Hindu Vedic ritual that will be organized at the Hindu Temple,  Omaha , Nebraska, USA on Labor Day Weekend (Aug  30 to  Sept 1 2013) .


Sri Rudram is one of the most sacred and powerful Vedic hymns devoted to Lord Shiva, Who destroys the evil and bestows Bliss and Peace and Harmony on the devotees and the community who do Rudra Paaarayana recitation of Sri Rudram. Chanting the Rudram and listening to the chanting are considered to be of great benefit to devotees. When the chanting is accompanied with the Vedic fire ritual, it is called the Rudra Yagam. Eleven recitations of the Sri Rudram followed by one recitation of the chamakam is called Ekadasa Rudram. This also constitutes one unit of the Rudra Homam. Eleven Ekadasa Rudram recitations make one Laghu Rudram. Eleven Laghu Rudram recitations make a Maharudram(11*11*11). This grand 3-days long Vedic ceremony is for the welfare of all devotees, their families and friends and all of humanity.


Puja Services

For scheduling a private or community puja please send e-mail to Puja coordinator or Call 402-697-8546


Hindu Temple Social Hall Booking

Personal Events

For Information on Booking a Hindu Temple Social Hall for Personal Events please send e-mail to Social hall coordinator
or Call 402-697-8546

Bala Vihar
Balvihar: Mission Statement
Balvihar is sponsored by Hindu Temple, Omaha, NE

Objective
After graduating from this school, our children should be able to:
1. Inculcate the Indian spirit in their daily lives
2. Teach these ideas to other young children
3. Grow up to be self-confident individuals, proud of their Indian heritage

Mission
1. To provide an opportunity for our children to discover their cultural bond with India and develop pride in their Hindu identity
2. To introduce Hindu Cultural Heritage and Traditions through simple stories about our main epics, Gods and Goddesses, and festivals.
3. To provide a learning environment where children can meet and share a common value system and feel a sense of identity with Hindu Culture.
4. To imbibe the Indian spirit within our children by making them aware of India and its historical and contemporary achievements.

Purpose
1. Children of Indian origin that understand their cultural heritage will be able to share this knowledge with their American counterparts.
2. We hope that the children will grow up in the Indian tradition with their parents, and eventually pass it on to others.
3. When our children return to India on visits, they will feel at home there and enjoy their stay much more when they are familiar with Hindu Culture and Indian way of life. They will not feel alienated from their cousins and other family members.

Gratitude
Balvihar appreciate all the support it receives to accomplish it’s mission and meet objectives. Balvihar recognizes the following for their continuous support:
1. Hindu Temple Management & Committee
2. Balvihar Volunteer teachers & others
3. Parents and everyone

Rules
1. Bal Vihar begins promptly at 10:45 AM.
10:45 am – 11:00 am – Yoga
11:00 am – 12:00 Noon Balvihar Class

Students who arrive late may have to wait outside the class until their teacher ushers them in the classroom.
2. Please bring a three-ring binder, pencil(s) and eraser with you. Please complete your assignments and come prepared for the class.
3. Bring a coin for Temple offering.
4. Cleanliness of the Temple is to be maintained at all times. Keep your shoes neatly on the shoe rack and hang up your jacket on a hanger.
5. Do not talk loudly in the prayer hall or in the classroom. Once you enter the Temple keep the noise level to the minimum. Walk in an orderly fashion in the Temple. Do not run.
6. Respect other people and their property.
7. Please notify the teacher if your child cannot attend Bal-Vihar on any given Sunday. Check your e-mail for information about BalVihar incase of inclement weather.
8. 80% attendance is required to participate in the annual program and graduation to the next level.
9. Please ask your child, check e-mail, or Balvihar website (for your child’s class) for weekly homework as well as topics covered each week.


 





Om Tat Sat
                                                        
(Continued...)                                                                                                                              



(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )


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