Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA

Durga Mandir, Princeton, NJ

4240 Route 27, Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone# (609) 683-4015 / 3760
Email: durgamandir@msn.com

Jai Mata Di

Objectives & Historical Perspective

The idea of establishing a place of worship and a community center was conceived in 1990, and Central Hindu Association (CJHA), a non-profit religious organization, was established to pursue this idea. The main objectives and goals of CJHA are:

To provide a place of worship to Hindu community in Centeral Jersey.

To keep our children in touch with religion and culture.

To educate our children about our religious and cultural values.

To provice a place to our community which they can use at the time of their need to celebrate happy events and share sorrow at sad events.

To acquaint the community at large with our culture.

To create better understanding among community members with different back grounds in a multi-ethnic society

The Association consists of two major administrative units i.e. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee, which is elected annually, has the responsibility for the day-to-day affairs of the Association, whereas policy decisions are made by The Board of Trustees.

Durga Temple and Community Center is being managed by:

1. Executive Committee

2. Board of Trustees

The Executive Committee organizes programs in the Temple and controls day to day affairs of the association with the help of other various committees listed below. Members of the Executive Committee are elected by the general body annually. The responsibilities for long term goals and planning rest with the Board of Trustees, which consists of major financial contributors.
The names of individuals serving on the Executive Committee , Board of Trustees and other committees are given below. A number of other individuals, including several physicians from New Jersey have been supporting CJHA and Durga Temple and have been making valuable contributions in different forms to maintain the Temple and to organize different activities.

Events during Navratri
Saturday October 5th, 2013 - Sunday October 13th, 2013

 Kalash Poojan on Saturday Oct 5, 2013 @ 9:00 A.M

 Havan on Saturday Oct 5, 2013 - Friday Oct 11th @ 6:15 P.M.

 Vishal Bhagwati Jagran on Saturday Oct 5, 2013
Durga Pooja @ 9:00 P.M.
Jyoti parchand @ 10:00 P.M.

 Sundar kand Saturday Oct 12th , 10:30 A. M. to 1:00 P.M.

 Chandi Maha Yagana on sunday Oct 13th @ 2:00 P.M.

 Ashtami Saturday Oct 12th Kanya Poojan @ 6:30 p.M.

 Navami Sunday Oct 13th Kanya Poojan @ 6;30 P.M.

 Poornima Satya Narayan Puja Friday Oct 18th, Pooja @ 6:00 P.M.

 Amrit Vani Sunday Oct 20th, @ 3:00 P.M.

 Karva Chauth Tuesday Oct 22nd. Pooja Schedule

1:00 P.M.	2:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M.	4:00 P.M
5:00 P.M.	6:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M.

 Akhan Ramayan

Starts on Saturday Oct 26th @ 3:00 P.M.
Bhog on Sunday Oct 27th @ 3:00 P.M.

Weekly Programmes:

Bhagwati Kirtan

Sunday from 4 to 6 P.M. followed by Aarti & Langar

Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe | Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan | Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
Recital of Shiv Chalisa
Monday @ 6:30 P.M. followed by Aarti
Recital of Hanuman Chalisa
Tuesday @ 6:30 P.M. followed by Aarti

Ganesh Puja

Wedesday @ 6:30 P.M. followed by Aarti

Recital of Vishnu Sahasra Naama Paaryanam

Thursday @ 6:30 P.M. followed by Aarti

Santoshi Maa Puja

Friday @ 6:30 P.M. followed by Aarti

"Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
"ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय"
SHRI SATYANARAYAN POOJA
Full Moon Day Every Month
followed by AARTI
Next Puja is on Monday, Oct 29th, 2012
At 6:00 p.m.
Sunder Kand Second Saturday of every month
From 10.30 a.m. To 12.30 P.M.
To sponsor this pooja , please call
Durga Mandir @ (609) 683-4015/3760

Priests’ Services:

hastri, Sri Chet Ram Shastri & Acharya , Sri Pawan Kumar Shastri, Sri Srinivas Bhatter & Sri Gopal Kjajuria Shastri & Achrya,
well versed priests are available at DURGA MANDIR for the special services conducted at the request of individual devotee in the home or at DURGA MANDIR.
A nominal contribution/donation is expected from the devotees for the special services listed below:

SERVICES	IN THE MANDIR	IN DEVOTEE'S HOME
Birthday Puja	$ 51.00	$ 101.00
Bhumi Puja		$ 151.00
Car Puja	$ 31.00	-------
Engagement Puja	$ 101.00	$ 151.00
General Puja	$ 51.00	$ 101.00
Grah Shanti	$ 51.00	$ 101.00
Grah Pravesh	-------	$ 101.00
Havan	$ 101.00	$ 101.00
Mundan	$ 51.00	$ 101.00
Naam Karan	$ 51.00	$ 101.00
Satya Narayan Puja	$ 101.00	$ 101.00
Sharadh Puja	-------	$ 101.00
Sunday Kirtan & Langar Sponsorship	$ 501:00
Sunder Kand	$ 151.00
Wedding Ceremony	$ 251.00	$ 351.00
Janeu Puja	$151.00	$151.00
Gandmool Puja	$151.00	$151.00
Office Puja		$151.00
Karlsarp Puja	$151.00
Laxmi Puja	$51.00	$101.00
Durga Puja	$51.00	$101.00
Sarswati Puja	$51.00	$101.00
Shiv Puja	$51.00	$101.00
Rudhra Abhishek (Big)	$201.00

Goddess Durga

In Hindu mythology, Durga is a fierce form of Devi, the Mother Goddess, the all-powerful almighty goddess. According to a legend the gods could not defeat the buffalo demon Mahish, who was threatening the existence of the universe. They begged Shiva for his assistance, and Shiva advised all the gods to release their shaktis. The shaktis of the gods emerged in female form. These goddesses fused together in blinding light from which arose a magnificent goddess with many arms. She was as beautiful as she was deadly. Durga was born fully-grown and is depicted as extremely beautiful and full of rage. The gods called this goddess Durga, the invincible one, and they armed her with all their weapons. Thus armed, Durga rode to the top of a mountain on a lion. In a bloody battle, she defeated Mahish and his army of demons and thus saved the Universe from this demon’s menace.

SARASWATI jAYANTI

Saraswati Maa

Saraswati is the Goddess of leaming, knowledge, and wisdom. The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.
In Her popular images and pictures, Goddess Saraswati is generally depicted with four arms (some pictures may show only two arms), wearing a white sari and seated on a white lotus. She holds a book and a rosary in Her rear two hands, while the front two hands are engaged in the playing of a lute (veena). Her right leg is shown slightly pushing against Her left leg. She uses a swan as Her vehicle. There is a peacock by Her side gazing at Her. This symbolism illustrates the following spiritual ideas:

* The lotus is a symbol of the Supreme Reality, and a white lotus also denotes supreme knowledge. By sitting on a lotus, Saraswati signifies that She is Herself rooted in the Supreme Reality, and symbolizes supreme knowledge. The white color symbolizes purity and knowledge. The white sari that the Goddess is wearing denotes that She is the embodiment of pure knowledge.
* The four amms denote Her omnipresence and omnipotence. The two front amms indicate Her activity in the physical world and the two back arms signify Her presence in the spiritual world. The four hands represent the four elements of the inner personality. The mind (manas) is represented by the front right hand, the intellect (buddhi) by the front left hand, the conditioned consciousness (chitta) by the rear left hand, and the ego (ahankara) by the rear right hand.
* The left side of the body symbolizes the qualities of the heart and the right side symbolizes activities of the mind and intellect. A book in the rear left hand signifies that knowledge acquired must be used with love and kindness to promote prosperity of mankind. The rosary signifies concentration, meditation, and contemplation, leading to samadhi, or union with God. A rosary in the rear right hand representing ego conveys that true knowledge acquired with love and devotion melts the ego and results in liberation (moksha) of the seeker from the bondage to the physical world.
* The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in Her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect in order to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
* Two swans are depicted on the left side of the Goddess. A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati uses the swan as Her carrier. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
* A peacock is sitting next to Saraswati and is anxiously waiting to serve as Her vehicle. A peacock depicts unpredictable behavior as its moods can be influenced by the changes in the weather. Saraswati is using a swan as a vehicle and not the peacock. This signifies that one should overcome fear, indecision, and fickleness in order to acquire true knowledge.

Jai Ambey Gauri

Aarti Durga Maa Ki

Jai Ambey Gauri Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri, | Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat Hari Brahma Shivji.
Mang Sindoor Virajat Tiko Mrigmad Ko, | Ujjaval Se Dou Naina Chandra Badan Niko.
Kanak Saman Kalevar Raktamber Raje, | Rakt Pushp Galmala Kanthan Par Saje.
Kehari Vahan Rajat Khadg Khappardhari, | Sur Nar Munijan Sewat Tinke Dukhhari.
Kanan Kudal Shobhit Nasa Gaj Moti, | Kotik Chandra Divaker Sam Rajat Jyoti.
Shumbh Nishumbh Bidare Mahishasur ghati, | Dhumra Vilochan Naina Nishdin Madmati.
Chund Mund Sanhare Shonit Beej Hare, | Madhu Kaitabh Dou Mare Sur Bhay Hin Kare.
Brahmani Rudrani Tum Kamla Rani, | Agam Nigam Bakhani Tum Shiv Patrani.
Chaunsath Yogini Mangal Gavat Nritya Karat Bhairoo, | Bajat Tal Mridang Aru Bajat Damroo.
Tum hi Jag Ki Mata Tum Hi Ho Bharta, | Bhaktan Ki Dukh Harta Sukh Sampati Karta.
Bhuja Char Ati Shobhit Khadg Khappardhri, | Manvanchhit Phal Pavat Sewat Nar Nari.
Kanchan Thar Virajat Agar Kapur Bati, | Shreemaal Ketu Men Rajat Koti Ratan Jyoti.
Maan Ambeyjee Ki Aarti Jo Koi Nar Gavai, | Kahat Shivanand Swami Sukh Sampati Pavai.

Starting from June 1st
TEMPLE HOURS SUNDAY TO SATURDAY 7.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Morning Aarti is performed at 7.30 a.m. every day and Evening Aarti is performed at 6.00 p.m. on Sundays and 7.00 p.m. on all other days.

THU	05-Sep	AMAVAS
SUN	08-Sep	HARTALIKA TEEJ
MON	09-Sep	SIDDHI VINAK CHATURTHI *
THU	12-Sep	RADHA ASHTAMI
SAT	14-Sep	SUNDER KAND *
SUN	15-Sep	AMRIT VANI * / EKADASHI (PADMA)
MON	16-Sep	SANKRANTI (ASHWIN)
WED	18-Sep	ANANT CHATURTHI
THU	19-Sep	SATYANARAYAN VRAT * /POORNIMA / POORNIMA SHRADDH
FRI	20-Sep	PRATIPADA SHRADDH (PITRI PAKSH)
SUN	22-Sep	GANESH CHATURTHI
FRI	27-Sep	MAHA LAXMI VRAT
MON	30-Sep	EKADASHI (INDIRA)
FRI	04-oct	AMAVAS (SARAV PITRI SHRADDH)
SAT	05-oct	NAVRATRA BEGIN (KALASH POOJAN ) VISHAL BHAGWATI JAGRAN
SAT	12-oct	DURGA ASHTAMI * SUNDAR KAND *
SUN	13-oct	CHANDI MAHA YAGNA */ MAHANAVAMI /DUSSEHRA
MON	14-oct	EKADASHI (PAPAMKUSHA)
THU	17-oct	SANKARANTI (KARTIK)
FRI	18-oct	SHARAD POORNIMA /SATYA NARAYAN VRAT*
SUN	20-Oct	AMRIT VANI *
TUE	22-oct	KARVA CHAUTH *
SAT	26-oct	AHOI ASHTAMI
WED	30-oct	EKADASHI (RAMA)
FRI	01-Nov	DHAN TRAYODASHI
SAT	02-Nov	*HANUMAN JAYANTI (SUNDAR KAND)*
SUN	03-Nov	DEEPAVALI LAXMI PUJA* / (AMAVAS)
MON	04-Nov	ANNA KOOT GOVERDHAN PUJA *
TUE	05-Nov	BHAIYA DOOJ
SAT	09-Nov	SUNDAR KAND *
SUN	10-Nov	AMRIT VANI *
WED	13-Nov	EKADASHI (DEV PARVODHINI)
SAT	16-Nov	SANKRANTI (MARG SHIRAS)
SUN	17-nov	POORNIMA - SATYANARAYAN VRAT * VISHNU SAHARANAM PATH *
THU	21--Nov	GANESH CHATURTHI
FRI	28-Nov	EKADASHI (UTPANNA)
MON	02-Dec	AMAVAS (SOMAVATI)
THU	12-Dec	EKADASHI (MOKHASDA)
SAT	14-Dec	SUNDAR KAND *
SUN	15-Dec	AMRIT VANI * / SANKRANTI (PAUSH)
MON	16-Dec	SATYANARAYAN VRAT *
TUE	17-Dec	POORNIMA
SAT	21-Dec	GANESH CHATURTHI
SAT	28-Dec	EKADASHI (SAPHALA)

4240 Route 27, Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone# (609) 683-4015 / 3760
Email: durgamandir@msn.com

Direction to Durga Mandir
From New York & North Take NJ Turnpike to exit 9 (New Brunswick, Route 18 North). Take route 18 North. After 1 mile take Route 1 South for approximately 11 miles. After passing Best Western on your right, make right on Raymond Road. After one mile turn right on traffic light to Route 27 North. Second building on your right is DURGA MANDIR across Kingston Mall. From VFW Hall (Henderson Road):Go South on route 27 for 5 miles. DURGA MANDIR is on your left-across Kingston Mall.
From Philly & South:Take I-95 North to exit 1 ( Princeton, Route 1 North). Take route 1 North for approx. 6 miles to Raymond Road. Take jug handle and make left on Raymond Road and follow directions above.
From Cherry Hill & South:Take I295 North to exit 67 (Princeton, Route 1 North) and follow directions above.
OR
Take NJ Turnpike North to exit 7A (I-195, Shore Points). Take I-195 West to Trenton. Once on I-195 West look for the signs for I-295 North and follow directions above.

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)