Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
Greater Baltimore
Hindu-Jain Temple,
Finksburg, MD
2909 Bloom Road, P.O.Box 690
Finksburg, MD 21048
Phone: 410-861-8387
Temple History
Greater Baltimore Temple - A Historic Perspective.
Greater Baltimore Temple - A Historic Perspective.
In the early 1990s, several dedicated
members of the Hindu-Jain community felt the need for a place of worship and to
preservce our heritage for future generation. After extensive community input
and feedback, it was decided to build a new temple and community center in the
Greater Baltimore area. The following are some of the major milestones in the
history of the temple:
1990- In March, the Greater Baltimore Temple, Inc. was registered as a tax exempt, non-profit oganization.
1993- In June, a contract was signed to purchase five acres of land for $190,000 for building the temple in a quiet suburban community of Finksburg in Caroll County, about 40 minutes from downtown Baltimore.
1994- In January, the settlement was completed for purchase of the land. In July, a contract for $64,700 was singed with the architectural firm, Laurel Design Alliance, Laurel, MD to design the temple complex.
1996- In March, Carroll County approved the temple plans. The first puja was held at the temple site on receipt of this approval. Construction bids were solicited. Six construction companies submitted the bids. Craft Constuction Inc. of Baltimore was selected by the Board of Trustees. In December, 1996 the Ground Breaking Ceremony was performed at the temple site.
1997- In February, a construction contract for $1,707,000 was signed with Craft Constuction Inc. to build the temple and a Community Center. Financing was arranged with Carroll County Bank. The temple construction began in spring. In April, the Cornerstone and foundation laying ceremony was held.
1998- On August 9, the commmunity center was inaugurated and the first puja (Vasatu Puja) was performed by the chief priest, Pundit Padmanabh Joshi, to seek the blessing of the gods for the successof the temple project. From December 11-13, the Murthi Pranaprathishta (Sthapana) ceremonies were performed for Ganesha, Durga, Shiva Lingam, Hanuman and Saraswathi.
1999- On May 9, the Idols of Bhagwan Mahavir were installed. From June 16-20, the Murthi Pranaprathishta ceremonies for Balaji, Padmavathi, Radha-krishna, Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Maha Lakshmi were performed.
The Greater Baltimore Temple complex is a one story building that includes a prayer hall, deity chambers, puja rooms, library, office, reception area, shoe storage room, coat room, Priest room, kitchen for prasad preparation, warm-up kitchen and rest room facilities. The temple hall is approximately 3000 square feet and can accomodate about 250 devotees at a time. The adjacent Community Center and lobby are located on the south end of the building, on the same level. The community center is approximately 4800 square feet and can accomodate about 300 people. Plans exist for the expansion of the Community Center and construction of class rooms at the lower level. Onsite parking spaces can accomodate approximately 100 cars.
1990- In March, the Greater Baltimore Temple, Inc. was registered as a tax exempt, non-profit oganization.
1993- In June, a contract was signed to purchase five acres of land for $190,000 for building the temple in a quiet suburban community of Finksburg in Caroll County, about 40 minutes from downtown Baltimore.
1994- In January, the settlement was completed for purchase of the land. In July, a contract for $64,700 was singed with the architectural firm, Laurel Design Alliance, Laurel, MD to design the temple complex.
1996- In March, Carroll County approved the temple plans. The first puja was held at the temple site on receipt of this approval. Construction bids were solicited. Six construction companies submitted the bids. Craft Constuction Inc. of Baltimore was selected by the Board of Trustees. In December, 1996 the Ground Breaking Ceremony was performed at the temple site.
1997- In February, a construction contract for $1,707,000 was signed with Craft Constuction Inc. to build the temple and a Community Center. Financing was arranged with Carroll County Bank. The temple construction began in spring. In April, the Cornerstone and foundation laying ceremony was held.
1998- On August 9, the commmunity center was inaugurated and the first puja (Vasatu Puja) was performed by the chief priest, Pundit Padmanabh Joshi, to seek the blessing of the gods for the successof the temple project. From December 11-13, the Murthi Pranaprathishta (Sthapana) ceremonies were performed for Ganesha, Durga, Shiva Lingam, Hanuman and Saraswathi.
1999- On May 9, the Idols of Bhagwan Mahavir were installed. From June 16-20, the Murthi Pranaprathishta ceremonies for Balaji, Padmavathi, Radha-krishna, Sri Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Maha Lakshmi were performed.
The Greater Baltimore Temple complex is a one story building that includes a prayer hall, deity chambers, puja rooms, library, office, reception area, shoe storage room, coat room, Priest room, kitchen for prasad preparation, warm-up kitchen and rest room facilities. The temple hall is approximately 3000 square feet and can accomodate about 250 devotees at a time. The adjacent Community Center and lobby are located on the south end of the building, on the same level. The community center is approximately 4800 square feet and can accomodate about 300 people. Plans exist for the expansion of the Community Center and construction of class rooms at the lower level. Onsite parking spaces can accomodate approximately 100 cars.
Temple Deities:
Ganesha, Durga,
Ayyappa, Hanuman, Shiva, Mahavir, Shivalingam
and Saraswathi,
|
Chairman:
|
Chitrachedu Naganna
|
Vice-Chairman:
|
|
|
Members:
|
Annasaheb Anuje
|
||
|
Sushma Swani
|
Mukund Didolkar
|
Dinesh Kalaria
|
Pratima Bose
|
|
President:
|
Nagji Sureja
|
Vice-President:
|
Tapendu Basu
|
|
Secretary:
|
Nalini Potineni
|
Treasurer:
|
Natvar Rajpara
|
|
Members:
|
|
||
|
Ramaswamy Balakrishnan
|
Nandini Mouli
|
Rajesh Raikar
|
Ram Javia
|
|
Bhupendra Mehta
|
Ashok Narang
|
Jitesh Parikh
|
Anasuya Swamy
|
|
Neena Rao
|
Bharti Razdan
|
Shailaja Didolkar
|
|
|
Chief Priest:
|
Padmanabha S. Joshi
|
Priest:
|
Singanallur V. Murali
|
|
Manager:
|
Magan Sureja
|
|
|
Sponsor Puja or Program
Pujas, bhajans or programs can be sponsored.
Bhajans are held every Sunday between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm followed by Aarti.
If bhajan is sponsored, mahaprasad will follow.
Call the temple at 410-861-8387
or
email us at GBT Email
GBT 14th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS - Sunday, June 23, 2013 - 9:30 AM -
1:30 PM
ANNUAL GRADUATION POOJA & CELEBRATION - Sunday, June 30, 2013 - 11:00
AM - 2:30 PM
LORD MURUGAN ANNUAL CELEBRATION - Saturday, July 6, 2013 - 10:30 AM -
1:00 PM
Temple Timings
|
Weekdays
|
9 am - 12 noon 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm |
|
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
|
9 am - 8:30 pm 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
Daily Puja Schedule
|
Timing
|
Sun
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
|
Thu
|
Fri
|
Saturday
|
|
Temple Opens
|
9:00 am to 8:30 pm
|
9:00 am to 12 NOON and 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
|
9:00 am to 8:30 PM
|
||||
|
9:00 am to 10:30 am
|
Sarva Devata Archana and Arathi
|
Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatham
Balaji Abhishekam |
|||||
|
11.00 am to 12:00 pm
|
Ganesha Abhishekam
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bhajans
|
|
6:00 pm
|
|
Shiva Puja
|
Hanuman Puja
|
|
|
Durga Puja
|
Ganesha Puja
|
|
7:00 pm
|
|
Rudra Abhishekam
|
Hanuman Chalisa
|
Sri Rama Sahasranama parayanam
|
Sri Krishna Sahasranama prayanam
|
Devi Puja
|
Archana & Arathi
|
|
8:30 pm
|
Close Temple
|
||||||
Monthly Puja Schedule
|
Week of Month
|
Sun
|
Mon
|
Tue
|
Wed
|
Thu
|
Fri
|
Saturday
|
|
1st
|
9-11 am
Sri Sita Rama Archana |
|
7-8 pm
Sri Durga Puja |
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sri Hanuman Puja |
|||
|
2nd
|
9-11 am
Sri Radha Krishna Archana |
|
7-8 pm
Sri Lakshmi Puja |
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sri Ganesha Abhishekam |
|||
|
3rd
|
9-11 am
Sri Mahavir Puja |
|
|
|
|
7-8 pm
Sri Padmavathi Aradhana |
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sri Saraswathi Archana |
|
4th
|
9-11 am
Group Havan (Homam) |
|
|
|
|
7-8 pm
Sri Saraswathi Puja |
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Sri Hanuman Puja |
Puja Request
To request a puja, you may send us email or send in a request by postal mail.
To request a puja, you may send us email or send in a request by postal mail.
Make sure to include your
- Full name
- Nakshatra
- Gothra
- Postal address
- Telephone number
with your puja
request.
Without your address, we may not
be able to send the prasadam back to you.
Also please send your
check
(payable to "Greater Baltimore Temple")
for the proper sponsorship amount to:
Greater Baltimore Temple P.O.Box 690,
Finksburg. MD 21048
(payable to "Greater Baltimore Temple")
for the proper sponsorship amount to:
Greater Baltimore Temple P.O.Box 690,
Finksburg. MD 21048
|
GAYATRI MANTRA
|
|
Gayan Trayate Gayatri - the reciter
chanting the three parts of the mantra is protected by Gayatri
- says Rishi
Vasishta.
Shree Adi Sankaracharya remarks,'Geeyate tatwamunya Gayatri' - the divine song of exquisite atributes is Gayatri. One who chants the mantra is protected by Bramhan, the Supreme Reality which can manifest as the ishtadevata, the Deity whom we love, adore and worship, because Bramhan is the Ultimate Truth. Om bhur bhuvah suvah Tat savitur varenyam Bhargo devasya dheemahi Dhiyo yo nah prachodaya Om Pranava, symbol of Parabrahmam or the Supreme Reality. It is welcome to the gods. bhur Earth or the physical plane representing physical existance - the embodiment of vital energy of prana. bhuvah Atmosphere or the real astral plane. Among elements, the Fire is the first, residing in the circle of Sun - theSupreme Being that annihilates all sufferings. suvah Heaven or the celestial plane representing the Atman in everything - the embodient of happiness. tat That which encompasses all - the Parabrahma or Paramata. savitur The Sun that is luminous; Savitri equivalent to vivifying power of the Sun. varenyam Excellent and adorable that is fit to be worshipped. bhargo Effulgent radiance of Divinty that enables transition from the world of darkness to that of light burning the sins in the process. devasya Divine dheemahi That which we meditate upon, and absorb mentally. dhiya Bhuddhi signifying intellect, wisdom and knowlegde. yo who or whichnah our prachodayat Guide, enlighten and unfold "O! Supreme Reality of the three worlds! We contemplate upon the excellent, sin-destroying enerrgy of the Effulgent One (the sun, Saviriti) who is all knowlegde. May thou direct our intellect to the right direction and enable us to reach the goal of realization." |
SECOND SATURDAY
SATSANG
This program was started in October 2004 to combine devotional and cultural activity every month at GBT. On the second Saturday of every month, Venkateshwara (Balaji) abhisekham and archana are performed as usual between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon. This is followed by a cultural activity for about an hour - artists are invited to perform music, dance, and sometimes give a spiritual lecture. The program ends with a light vegetarian lunch. The cultural performance each month is usually by an individual artist or a group. The upcoming programs for the next few months are as follows:
Devotees are encouraged to sponsor the Abhishekam ($ 31.00) and/or Archana ($ 11.00), enjoy the puja and the cultural event. Suggestions for artists to be invited for future events are most welcome.
For information please call Vimala Naganna (410-876-7071), Nandini Mouli (410-308-8883), Padma Vanguri (410-252-4440), Geetha Ramaratnam (410-529-7051), Sheela Ramaiah (410-252-3723), Chandra Raju (410-252-4622), Anasuya Swami (410-581-9161), Lakshmi Chetty (410-667-1316), Janaki Bala kris hnan (410-527-0740) or Geetha Raja (410-825-6414).
SHRI NATHJEE SATSUNGThis program was started in October 2004 to combine devotional and cultural activity every month at GBT. On the second Saturday of every month, Venkateshwara (Balaji) abhisekham and archana are performed as usual between 10:30 a.m. and 12 noon. This is followed by a cultural activity for about an hour - artists are invited to perform music, dance, and sometimes give a spiritual lecture. The program ends with a light vegetarian lunch. The cultural performance each month is usually by an individual artist or a group. The upcoming programs for the next few months are as follows:
Devotees are encouraged to sponsor the Abhishekam ($ 31.00) and/or Archana ($ 11.00), enjoy the puja and the cultural event. Suggestions for artists to be invited for future events are most welcome.
For information please call Vimala Naganna (410-876-7071), Nandini Mouli (410-308-8883), Padma Vanguri (410-252-4440), Geetha Ramaratnam (410-529-7051), Sheela Ramaiah (410-252-3723), Chandra Raju (410-252-4622), Anasuya Swami (410-581-9161), Lakshmi Chetty (410-667-1316), Janaki Bala kris hnan (410-527-0740) or Geetha Raja (410-825-6414).
Since May 2006, we have started a monthly Shri Nathji Satsung. See newsletter for further information: For information please contact Gaurang Patel (410-526-4574), Kanubhai Patel (410-394-0198) or Avinash Shah (410-581-0363)
Contact Us
Send us your valuable suggestions to the following address:
Greater Baltimore Temple,
2909 Bloom Road,
Finksburg, MD.
Phone: (410) 861-8387
Send us your valuable suggestions to the following address:
Greater Baltimore Temple,
2909 Bloom Road,
Finksburg, MD.
Phone: (410) 861-8387
Email: gbt101@yahoo.com
Send us your
information if you want to receive newsletters or
upcoming event notifications via email:
Greater Baltimore Temple,
2909 Bloom Road,
Finksburg, MD.
Phone: (410) 861-8387
Email: gbt101@yahoo.com
upcoming event notifications via email:
Greater Baltimore Temple,
2909 Bloom Road,
Finksburg, MD.
Phone: (410) 861-8387
Email: gbt101@yahoo.com
Volunteer
Opportunities
Our Temple runs on selfless service of many volunteers.
We are looking for more of them.
You can serve the Temple in many ways.
You can help to keep the Temple and its surroundings neat and clean.
On each visit to the Temple, please talk to the priests or the Manager on how you can help.
If you are interested, please send yourOur Temple runs on selfless service of many volunteers.
We are looking for more of them.
You can serve the Temple in many ways.
You can help to keep the Temple and its surroundings neat and clean.
On each visit to the Temple, please talk to the priests or the Manager on how you can help.
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Area of your interest and Your background
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
0 comments:
Post a Comment