Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA

Hindu Jain Temple of Pittsburgh, Monroeville, PA


	615 Illini Drive
	Monroeville, PA 15146
	United States

	724-325-2054 -- Temple Administration
	724-733-7475

he temple is open

Spring / Summer: 9AM to 9PM
Winter: 9AM to 8PM

Phone:

Administration: 724-325-2054
Priests: 724-325-2073

Welcome to the Hindu Jain Temple of Pittsburgh

The Hindu Jain Temple provides a place for Hindus and Jains to worship while providing religious, humanitarian, cultural and educational resources to our members. In addition, the Hindu Jain Temple promotes ideals for world peace, harmony, spiritual and personal health.

History

There is no other temple complex in the world like Hindu-Jain Temple of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In response to social & religious needs of a growing population of followers of Hinduism & other Indic religions, a 7-acre parcel of land was purchased in April 1973. Original idea was to build a center of worship, which can be shared and supported by all. Goal was (& remains) to provide for Religious, Social, Cultural & Humanitarian needs of the community. Aim also was (& is) to provide religious, cultural, social education to future generations to continue our rich & timeless traditions. The original site had a converted church building, which was used for functions during the initial years.

In 1980, some families pledged an initial sum of money for the construction of a new Temple. It took a legal battle to finally get necessary permits and zoning. Indian philanthropist Sri G.D.Birla was contacted and he agreed to provide murtis as well as architectural help. After much deliberations, the architectural style (NAGRADI- popular in North, Central & Eastern India) as well as principal deities to be installed were agreed upon. Groundbreaking ceremony took place on the Dussera Day in 1981. Swami Sadanand Saraswatiji and Sant Narayan muniji (now known as Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji) from Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, India honored our request and laid the foundation stone. This indeed was an act of divine providence because this began a very close relationship between the Parmarth Niketan and the Hindu Temple Society of North America, Pittsburgh. Because of this relationship Sant Narayan Muniji arrived in Pittsburgh. Under his divine presence and guidance, the temple became alive and vibrant. Swamiji’s role in establishing this temple is invaluable.

A basic shell for the temple was first created by local artisans and then shilpies from India were called upon to finish the ornate interior work as well as the elegant exterior work and the shikhars. On May 13th 1984, the Pran Pratishtha of the deities took place in a grand Vedic tradition. The name of the temple was changed from Hindu Temple to Hindu Jain Temple in 1986. The construction work was finally completed and grand inauguration took place in September 1990. The Temple is operated by Hindu Temple Society of North America, Pittsburgh. This is an end result of the vision, dedication, hard work, generosity and sacrifices of a number of initial members, some of whom even mortgaged their homes to donate the money.

Members participate in diverse celebrations led by various groups and enrich themselves. This has broadened the horizons and outlooks of the youth and the adults alike. The temple schools help the youth learn their mother tongue, religion and culture. For the children and the generations to come, the temple is more than a place of worship. It is a link to their roots and a symbol of their great Hindu heritage and a source of their identity, unity and to instill in them our basic values such as truth, non-violence, tolerance and piece.

As Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji once remarked “Everyone who enters this temple must keep in mind that we are entering a temple in which there is music of harmony, love and peace. As we discard our shoes before entering the temple, we should discard our egos and sectarian fanaticism.” This temple is the first unified Hindu-Jain Temple in North America and perhaps in the world and is a unique example of understanding, tolerance and appreciation of each other’s religious practices and traditions.

Deities:

Lakshmi Narayana, Ram Parivar, Radha Krishna, Shiva Parivar, Durga Devi, Amba Devi, Hawan Kund and Mahavirswami – Parshwanath

Religious Festivals

Makar Sankranti or Sankranti or Sankranthi
Vasant Panchami
Maha Shivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivaratri
Holi
Vikram Samvat
Jain Ayambil Oli
Rama Navami
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti
Raksha Bandhan
Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Paryushana
Ganesh Chaturthi
Paryushana and Das Laxana Parva
Pitr-Paksha
Navaratri
Vijaya Dashami
Diwali
Govardhan Puja
Guru Nanak Jayanti
Gita Jayanti

Priests

Swami Chidanand Saraswati (Muniji), Shri Suresh Chandra Joshi, Shri Vinod Kumar Pandey and

Shri Jagdish Chandra Joshi

Priest Services

SERVICES	MEMBER ($)	NON MEMBER ($)
108 Devinaam Archana	31	51
108 Ganesh Archana	31	51
108 Krishnanaam Archana	31	51
108 Ramnaam Archana	31	51
Abishek and Rudrapaath	101	151
Akhanda Ramayan Path (At Home)	251	351
Ananprashan Sanskar	31	51
Antarayakarma Pooja	151	201
Chudakaran Sanskar	51	101
Chudakaran Sanskar/Havan	151	201
Devipaath & Pooja	101	151
Engagement Ceremony	151	201
Havan	101	151
Janaeu Sanskar	151	201
Naamkaran Sanskar	51	101
Naamkaran Sanskar/Havan	101	151
Navagraha Havan	101	151
Office Pooja	151	201
Panchakalyanak Pooja	151	201
Sarvasadharan Archana	31	51
Satyanarayan Katha	51	101
Satyanarayan Katha/Poornima Day (At Temple only)	21	51
Satyanarayan/Discourse/Bhajan	101	151
Seemantonayan Sans. /Havan	151	201
Seemantonayan Sanskar	51	101
Shanti Havan	101	151
Sharddh & Pin Daan	101	151
Shilanyaas Pooja	101	151
Shiva Abhishek	31	51
Snatra Pooja	101	151
Sponsored Aarti	31	51
Sunderkand/Hanuman Chalisa	101	201
Tulsi Vivaah	101	151
Vastu Pooja	101	151
Vastu Pooja/SAT.Katha/Havan	251	351
Wedding	501	751

Terms & Conditions :

1. All Checks are payable to the Hindu Jain Temple.

2. All services are by appointments only. Please call temple office at 724-325-2073 for details regarding appointments. For enquiries about services not listed above contact temple office at 724-325-2073 or 724-325-2054.

3. Please add $50 and $100, respectively for services within 100 miles of temple and evening services ending no later than 10 p.m. If services last beyond 10 pm, the donor shall be responsible for making overnight lodging arrangements for the priest. Priests will be scheduled to return to the temple by noon the following day.

4. For Services requiring overnight stay beyond noon, an additional charge will be $200 for each day plus all living and travel expenses.

5. If the priest drives his own car to the site of services, a $20 charge will be made for a distance of up to 40 miles. For greater than 40 miles, an additional mileage charge of $0.485/mile will be made. All charges are payable to the Hindu Jain Temple. The Temple will reimburse the amount to the priest.

National Initiatives

The Hindu Jain Temple is active in religious initiatives to promote understanding within our faith and with other faiths.
Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC)
Hindu Mandir Executives’ Conference (HMEC) is an initiative seeking development of network between the executives of all Hindu mandirs/Institutions of America. Mandir/Institution executives are the natural leaders of Hindu society by virtue of their intense motivation, deep experience, and selfless service. The conference explores avenues of expanding Institutions’ roles to meet the ever changing needs of the North American Hindus and to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of Sanatana Dharma by enhancing the role of Hindu youth. HMEC is an initiative of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) of America.
Sanjay Metha represents the Hindu Jain Temple at the conference. If you are interested in learning more about this, please contact Sanjay Metha.

Youth Services

Hindu Jain Temple Youth Group

The Hindu Jain Temple Youth Group is comprised of the young adults of the Hindu and Jain communities. These young adults work together and serve their community. The Youth Group usually meets once monthly if not more often. They organize canned good drives, an annual soup kitchen, youth rallies and more. They even help clean the temple and its grounds to continue to give our wonderful mandir a proper appearance. The Youth Group does a terrific job of giving back to their community! If you are interested in joining, please contact the Youth Group president Sainath Gopi through the Temple at (724) 325-2909.

Hindu Jain Temple Youth Conference

This is an annual event organized by HJT Youth group in association with other temples and organizations of Pittsburgh area. The day’s seminars and activities are based on year’s theme. The participants of the conference belong to ages 9 to 21 and attend specific sessions. Apart from intellectual sessions, there are games, workshops and a teacher appreciation ceremony to honor gurus in the area.

Volunteer

We appreciate your interest in volunteering. The temple needs volunteers to help in the following areas:

Gift Shop
Library
Temple Cleanup (outdoor and indoor)
Maintenance (handyman)

If you are interested in volunteering, please send an e-mail to volunteer@hindujaintemple.org with your name, e-mail address, and phone number.

Om Tat Sat

(Continued...)

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

Hindu Vedic Philosophy (Holy Pilgrimage - Theertha Kshetra)