Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
Vallabh Youth
Organization, Lowell, MA
(Jay Shree Krishna )
Lowell, MA 01851
Email: info@vyoboston.org
Phone: 978-455-1159, 978-445-2007
Shrewsbury Sai Center, Shrewsbury, MA
I have come to light
the lamp of Love in your hearts, to see that it shines day by day with added
luster. I have not come on behalf of any exclusive religion. I have not come on
a mission of publicity for a sect or creed or cause, nor have I come to collect
followers for a doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or devotees into
my fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this unitary faith, this
spiritual principle, this path of Love, this virtue of Love, this duty of Love,
this obligation of Love.”
History
Shrewsbury Sai Center was officially accredited in 2002 Summer, under the auspices of the Sathya Sai Organization of America.
Background:
When they built the house at 35 Thomas Farm Circle, Shrewsbury, little did they know, that it was supposed to play a vital role in fulfilling the thirst of many local devotees for a Sai Center in the Metrowest area..Initially in the late 90s, and early 2000, a group of 9 devotees would regularly meet at this residence, because it was a long commute every Sunday to go to the Boston Sai Center.
Slowly and mysteriously, (and it happens today too), Sai devotee families who were in the nearby towns, came to know about this place in Shrewsbury. It was a slow and steady flow of members who started attending these meetings. It was not until 2001 fall, that one of the elders of Boston Sai Center, suggested that the group should officially apply for Sai Center status. Finally, after the normal procedures, in 2002, Shrewsbury Sai Center was officially formed under the auspices of the Sathya Sai Organization of United States.
Today:
Sai Baba often says : “Show Me your availability, I’ll give you the ability”. Members were increasing steadily and from 9 in year 2000, it was now around 40 or more every Sunday. The need was felt for a bigger place. Again, under divine coincidences, within ¼ mile from Thomas Farm circle, plots of land came up for sale. Things fell into place, and to cut a long story short, the current location of 96 Cherry Street, was ready to go, in November 2004, but with unfinished basement.Under the watchful eyes of our Beloved Swami, members joined hands and came together to finish the basement within a deadline of 6 months “weekend” activity. This proved to be a blessing in disguise, as it gave a chance to “practice” human values with each other, thereby moving forward on the Spiritual Journey.
With utmost humility and sincerity, the Shrewsbury Sai Center prays, that Lord Sai ever bless us to effectively play our part in His Mission of “Making man realize his inherent divinity”.
Service Wing
The one effective way to conquer all sources of physical and mental disease and debility is awareness of one’s Aathmic Reality.That will bring about an upsurge of Love and Light, for, when one recognises that he is the Aathma, he cognises the same Aathma it,all, he shares the joy and grief of all, he partakes of the strength and weakness of all.When one yearns for the happiness and prosperity of all mankind, one is blessed with the wisdom and strength to mark out the wayand lead men towards it. In every one, the person sees his God. Every act of his will be as pure, as sincere and as sacred as an offering to God.
Service Projects
The most important practice of the Sai Organization is selfless service to society. This is in accordance with the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba and in emulation of His great humanitarian works. In selfless service, the motive is to raise consciousness of Divinity through our loving efforts. The spiritual validity of the service is determined by the intensity and purity of our love. Our efforts should reflect selfless love at all times to all people. Following few quotes from Sathya Sai Baba provide an insight into the Importance of Service for a Human being.The members of our Organization must be ready and eager to help students, the sick, and the poor. Feel that this is work that pleases Me. Spend your days and years in activities that help those in dire need, and thus make this human existence of yours worthwhile and fruitful. – Sathya Sai Speaks 1974.11.23
Service Project 1
Where: Shrewsbury Center
P.I.P. Shelter Sandwich Service
When: Every 2nd Sunday: Snack Bags – Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, Packet of crackers, Fruit, and Soda.Service Project 2
P.I.P. Shelter Onsite Cooking(1:30pm – 5:15pm)
Where: PIP Shelter, 701 Main St, Worcester, MAWhen: Every 3rd Saturday: On Site Cook and Serve Dinner
P.I.P shelter has always offered a bed, a nutritious meal, a hot shower and clean, warm clothing to all comers, but they do far more. The PIP Shelter serves as the entry point into needed services, be they medical, financial or psychological. They offer a complete continuum of care to their guests, allowing them to move from homelessness and hopelessness to permanent residence and hope for the future
Service Project 3
Volunteer at Food for the Needy (www.fftn.org)
Where: Community Harvest Project, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton, MAWhen: Every 1st Sunday: work and enjoy
During Summer, the Food For The Needy (FFTN) organization grows various vegetables on their farmlands. The harvest is then donated to the Worcester Food Bank, for distribution to the homeless shelters or any other agencies. The vegetables grown are Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Pumpkins, Squash, Zucchini, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower.
Last year the amount of vegetables grown was more than 33,000 pounds.
Service Project 4
Whitney Place
Where: 5 Lyman St, Westborough, MA
When: 4th saturday (5:45 pm – 6:30 pm)
Sathya Sai Baba emphasizes on the fact that we all are Embodiments of LOVE and that our duty is spread LOVE and JOY.Towards this, we are once again grateful to the Lord for providing us the opportunity of this service project at the Nursing Home for Elders.
Members of the Shrewsbury Sai Center, visit the Whittney Place for Elders, every 4th Saturday of the month.
Music is one of the easiest and most effective methods to help people experience JOY.
Here is the link to Songs
Any questions and or need more details send an email to shrewsbury.saicenter@gmail.com
Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Greater Boston, Watertown, MA
Regularly Scheduled Programs
- Thursdays 7:30 – 9:00 pm: Satsang (Orientation starts at 7 pm)
- Sundays 7:15 am: Morning Arati
- Sundays 8:45 am: Guru Gita
- 1st Tuesday of each month 7:30 – 8:45 pm: Not-Just-for-Newcomers Meditation
- 3rd Tuesday of each month 7:30 – 8:45 pm: Open Meditation
Special Events
Global SIDDHA
YOGA® Audio Satsang in celebration of
Baba Muktananda’s Birthday 2013
Sunday, May
19, 2013
11:30 am – 2:00 pm
In fact Siddha Yogis delight in spending the entire month of May celebrating Baba.
Again and again throughout this month, we take the opportunity to remember and thank Baba, who founded the Siddha Yoga path.
One perfect way of honoring Baba is by participating in the Global Siddha Yoga Audio Satsang in celebration of Baba’s Birthday.
This year the title of the Global Audio Satsang is
Experience the Mantra Rising Within
Participating in this satsang will support your study and practice of Gurumayi’s Message for 2013: Mantra Japa.
In this satsang, we will listen to a recording of a talk on mantra that Baba gave in 1981 in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
In the recording, Gurumayi translates her Guru’s words.
This talk is archival material preserved by the Shakti Punja department of the SYDA Foundation, and it is being released especially for the Audio Satsang.
This audio satsang will be held at the Siddha Yoga Mediation Center in Greater Boston at 75 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA.
The registration fee is $100 for adults and $35 for young people (ages 18-24)
To attend the Program at the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Great Boston, located in Watertown, MA, you may register in one of three ways:
1. Place the completed
form in the black Registration box located just outside the center’s office
(under the large painting of Gurumayi) with your check or cash clipped to the
form.
2. Mail the form with the
check to the center at:SYMCGB
75 N. Beacon St.
Watertown, MA 02472
75 N. Beacon St.
Watertown, MA 02472
3. Attach the completed
form to an email and send it to Registration@symcgb.org.
You may either mail the check/cash to the center or bring it with you on
the day of the program.
4. You may also register
the day of the program.
The form
can be downloaded here.- Please do not mail any forms or checks via any method (USPS, UPS, Fedex, etc.) after May 13 as we may not receive it before the program.
- If you are planning to purchase the Amrit brunch (10am-11am) please send an email to Amrit@symcgb.org.
For more details about this Global Audio Satsang, please call 617-924-2023 or send an email to: info@symcgb.org
Contact
(617) 924-2023
75 North Beacon StreetWatertown, MA 02472 Please email info@symcgb.org with questions.
Directions
75 North Beacon Street is a two-story office building located across the street from a florist. The entrance to the Center is at street level in the rear of the parking lot. Look for our sign.Using Mass Transit to Watertown Square
- From Kenmore Square, take the #57 bus
- From Central Square, take the #70 bus
- From Harvard Square, take the #71 bus
From the Massachusetts Turnpike (Heading east)
Heading east, take exit 17 (towards Newton/Watertown) which puts you on Centre Street. Stay left on Centre Street until you’ve passed over the Mass Pike, then stay right. Follow Centre Street until it becomes Galen Street. Continue on Galen Street past the bridge over the Charles River and into Watertown Square. At the traffic light bear right onto North Beacon Street (but avoid making a sharp right turn onto Charles River Rd). Continue one block on North Beacon Street then bear right at the Hess gas station. The Center is one block farther on the right.From the Massachusetts Turnpike (Heading west)
Heading west, take exit 17, staying in the right lane. Follow Centre Street until it becomes Galen Street. Continue on Galen Street past the bridge over the Charles River and into Watertown Square. At the traffic light bear right onto North Beacon Street (but avoid making a sharp right turn onto Charles River Rd). Continue one block on North Beacon Street then bear right at the Hess gas station. The Center is one block farther on the right.Rides
Are you looking for a ride to the center? Would you like to offer a ride? Email rides@symcgb.org. Please include your full name, contact information, location (where you’re coming from), and whether you are seeking or offering a ride. We’ll add your name to the rides board at the center. If there’s a match, the person offering/seeking a ride will contact you directly.Note: Neither the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Greater Boston nor the SYDA Foundation can accept liability for the safety of property or persons giving/accepting rides. The decision to share transportation is a private agreement between driver and rider. The Center/Foundation cannot set rules or settle disputes around the issue of sharing rides.
The Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Greater Boston does not endorse or seek publicity in regard to any business or commercial enterprise or any endeavor not related to the Siddha Yoga Meditation Center in Greater Boston.
Seva
To inquire further, contact Bindu Holder, our Seva Coordinator.Seva is work offered to God with grateful love and performed without attachment.
In her book Enthusiasm, Gurumayi says
Seva is the most wonderful, the most powerful, the most profound alchemy. You do seva and you are a changed person.
Sri Chinmaya
Maruti Temple,
Andover, MA
Mailing address: 1
Union Street, Andover MA 01810
Phone: 1 - 866 RAMDOOT ( 978 749 0876 )
President
Dr. Gopala Dwarakanath
Email : gdwarakanath@lowellgeneral.org
Phone: 1 - 866 RAMDOOT ( 978 749 0876 )
President
Dr. Gopala Dwarakanath
Email : gdwarakanath@lowellgeneral.org
For general inquiries and your feedback please send your
emails to: info@srichinmayamaruti.org
For
general questions related to the Temple
activities, issues:Please contact Satish Ananthaiyer at: satctanand@yahoo.com
For questions related to the Rental Events and Facilities:
Please contact Jyothi Vijayakumar at: jyothi727@gmail.com
For questions related to the Puja services/ Schedule Pujas:
Please contact Sunita Mosurkal at: smosurkal@gmail.com; Tel: 978-684-2646
For updates, questions, problems related to this Website:
Please contact Ravi Mosurkal at: rmosurkal@gmail.com
Temple Timings
Mon - Sun
9.30 A.M - 12.00 P.M
5:30 P.M - 8:30 P.M
(Temple will be closed between 12.00 PM - 05.30 PM except on specified days)
For any questions, Email:
info@srichinmayamaruti.org
Parking Instructions Due to limited space in the Mission
lot, parking is on a first come, first serve basis. Additional parking is in
the Brickstone parking lot behind the Mission.
The address for the Brickstone parking lot is: 300 Brickstone Square, Andover,
MA 01810.
Parking address for GPS/Google Maps: 300 Brickstone Square, Andover,
MA 01810.
Shuttle Services Brickstone Square
parking lot is easily accessible for devotees to walk in good weather. You can
also make use of our shuttle services. Shuttles will be running from the Brickstone Square
starting Sunday Morning at 8.30 AM and will run through the afternoon. Please
use those and avoid congestion in front of the building.
Sri Lakshmi
Temple , Ashland, MA
Sri Lakshmi Temple
117 Waverly street, Ashland MA 01721
Phone: 508-881-5775
Directions E-mail:FD@srilakshmi.org
117 Waverly street, Ashland MA 01721
Phone: 508-881-5775
Directions E-mail:FD@srilakshmi.org
History
The early days of the organization were devoted to establishing its by-laws and on discussions on the scope and nature of the project of building the temple. Foremost in the minds of everyone was the desire that the temple should be a place of worship for all the Hindus living in and visiting this area. At a meeting on August 12, 1978, the committee decided to dedicate this temple to Goddess Sri Lakshmi as the presiding deity, since most of us have come to this country in search of the prosperity and happiness bestowed by the grace of Mahalakshmi.
The inaugural function of New England Hindu Temple, Inc. was conducted with Mahalakshmi Pooja and Diwali celebrations on October 28, 1978 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts. Exuberance and excitement filled the hearts and minds of everyone in the large congregation as they witnessed and experienced an authentic pooja service to Sri Lakshmi and it filled their spiritual need. This was easily seen as pledges and donations started coming in even before securing the non-profit status. Non-profit status from the Internal Revenue Service was secured on November 28, 1978 for tax-deductible contributions. The place of congregation was soon changed to Needham Village Club which was more centrally located.
In the summer of 1981, about twelve acres of land in the town of Ashland, Massachusetts were acquired for constructing the temple. services of Sri Ganapathy Sthapathy from the Institute of Architecture and Sculpture in Tamil Nadu were sought to design the temple according to the Agama Sastras. He visited in November 1982 and provided detailed plans for the temple. In early 1983, M/S MacNevin and Kerivan Engineering, Inc. of Wellesley was engaged to prepare the engineering design and drawings which were submitted to the Town of Ashland for approval. The land was cleared in the fall of 1983 and in the following spring the excavation work was carried out by Guigli & Sons. The contract for the foundation and structural work for the building was awarded to Kaikunte Engineering Corporation in Sharon in the summer of 1984. The ground breaking ceremony was observed on June 19, 1984 with a grand celebration of Ganesh Pooja.
In the fall of 1984 the temple applied to Thirumaial-Thirupathi Devasthanam in India for a loan to help hasten the construction of the temple. The application was duly approved and the first installment of Rs. 5 Lakhs was received in July 1985. The loan has now been repaid. When the initial contract with Kalkunte Engineering Corporation for the foundation and infra structure was completed, the first Ganapathy Homam in the temple was performed in September 1985. The contract to complete the building with all the utilities needed for occupancy was awarded to Parekh Construction Co. in Woburn, Massachusetts. The first floor had the mahdmandapam (60'x5O') with an Alankaramandapam for Lord Nataraja and His consort Sivakami.
A paved driveway to the temple from Waverly Street with parking spaces for 100 cars was also provided. The receipt of the occupancy permit for the temple in September 1986 was an important milestone on the road to the completion of the mammoth project. This was celebrated with a grand opening Ceremony on September 6, 1986. Sri Janakiram Sastrigal of Rajarajeswari Peetam in Stroudsburg, PA graciously performed the inaugural pooja along with our local part-time priests.
The temple has remained open during the week-ends ever since with all the major Hindu feswals being celebrated in a traditional manner. Cultural activities such as classical music and dance concerts, Thyagaraja Aradhana, Dikshitar Day, Surdas & Meera Bhajans and discourses have further transformed the temple into the focal point of the Hindu community.
Extending from the mahamandapam by another thirty feet, sanctums for the principal deities Ganesh, mahalakshmi and Venkateswara were constructed beginning in September 1987 with the contract assigned to Parekh Construction Co. As the time approached for Hindu architectural ornamentation of the sanctums with vimana gopuram (sikhara), the service of Sri Muthiah Sthapathy of Tamil Nadu was contracted in 1988. In the same year, Sri Shadrinarayana Bhattar was appointed as the first full-time priest of the Srilakshmi temple to provide regular services within the temple as well as services such as weddings, Grahapravesams, Namakaranam etc. as required by the Hindu community at their residences. When he returned to India, Sri Krishna Bhattar was appointed to fill in the vacancy.
The spring of 1989 saw the arrival of ten artisans (silpis) from India skilled in the architectural work of the temple. With their arrival, the exquisite magnificence of the sancta with their vimana gopurams began to take shape. Their patient and devoted work under adverse weather conditions has brought us to the celebration of Rajagopuram Kumbhabhishekam. Plans for the Kumbhabhishekam were initiated in the fall of 1989. Sri Sampathkumar Bhattacharlar of Bangalore and Sri Sambamoorthy Sivachariar of Madras were chosen as chief priests to perform the Kumbhabhishekam with a host of other priests assisting them in this consecration ceremony.
The granite idols of Ganesh with Mooshikam and Balipeetam, Mahalakshmi, Venkateswara, Garuda and Dwarapalakas along with the bronze Utsavamurthis of Ganesh, Mahalakshmi, Venkateswara, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Sivakami were designed by Sri Ganapathy Sthapathy of the Institute of Architecture and Sculpture, Tamil Nadu and fabricated by the artisans at the institute. The bronze Utsavamurthis of Nataraja, Subrahmanya, Valli and Devasena were designed by Sri Muthiah Sthapathy. The ornamental designs of the sanctum and the vimana gopuram were skillfully executed according to the Hindu Agama-sastras by the Indian artisans. Coordination of the shipping of the idols from India was carried out through the considerable help rendered by Sri Meenakshisundaram and Sri Ramanujam of Madras. Sri N V Raghavan, also of Madras, has attended to the procurement of multifarious items required for the Kumbhabhishekam.
These are only a few of the many who have helped the temple in immeasurable ways to reach the present status of success in this ever growing project. Undoubtedly, the names of many people have not been mentioned due to lack of space. What was envisioned as a concept in 1978 took twelve years to blossom. Measured steps were taken all the way mostly due to the newness of the project. Through the grace and guidance of Goddess Srilakshmi, an important phase of the temple construction has been completed. Sri Lakshmi Temple now joins the ranks of other Hindu temples built in different cities across the country. In some sense, building the temple has been the easy and fun part.
It will be left to the future generations to foster the growth of the Srilakshmi temple and other temples,
It will be left to the future generations to foster the growth of the Srilakshmi temple and other temples, to uphold the ethical and moral values taught by our religion and to promote the Hindu culture. The temple hopes that this small step goes a long way in instilling the responsibility in our future generations to prepare them for the task of continuing our tradition and upholding the principles of our religion.
Daily Services at the Temple
Every Day
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Venkateswara Suprabhatam
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09:00 AM
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Navagraha Abhishekam
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09:30 AM
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Sri Subramanya Abhishekam
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09:45 AM
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Sri Ganesha Abhishekam
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10:00 AM
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Sri Shiva (Atmalinga) Abhishekam
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10:15 AM
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Sri Lakshmi Aarathi
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08:30 PM
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Weekly Services at the Temple
Every Monday
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Every Tuesday
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Every Friday
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Every Saturday
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Every Sunday
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Monthly Services at the Temple
Every Pradosham
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First Saturday of Every Month
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Every Sukla Shasthi
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Every Sukla Chaturthi
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Every Sankatahara Chaturthi
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Every Punarvasu
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Every Swathi
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Every Swathi
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Every Pournami
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Every Sukla Ekadasi
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Every Sravanam
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Every Amavasya
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First Sunday of Every Month
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Second Friday of Every Month
The timings are subject to change, so please call the temple at 508-881-5775 for more information and to confirm pooja schedules. |
Other Services at Temple/Home
- Aksharabyasam
- Annaprasanam
- Ayshya Homam
- Chandi Homam
- Ganapathi Homam
- Grahapravesam
- Hair Offering
- Hiranya Shrardham
- Homam
- Kalyana Uthsavam
- Last Rights
- Namakaranam
- Navavarana Puja
- Punyakavachanam
- Rudrabhishekam
- Sathyanarayana Puja
- Seemantham
- Shashtiaptha Porthi
- Sathabhishekam
- Sudharsana Homam
- Upanayanam
- Wedding
Temple Timings
Mon-Thu 9AM-12PM & 5:30PM-09:00PM
Fridays 9AM-12PM & 5:30PM-09:00PM
Sat,Sun & Holidays 9AM-09:00PM
(Timings subject to weather conditions)
Mon-Thu 9AM-12PM & 5:30PM-09:00PM
Fridays 9AM-12PM & 5:30PM-09:00PM
Sat,Sun & Holidays 9AM-09:00PM
(Timings subject to weather conditions)
Rules and Regulations
Information and Guidelines
Temple entrance from the Court Room door only. The temple is a
house of God. Being a very sacred place, all visitors are required to abide by
the following rules and regulations applicable to all areas of the temple:
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Conduct
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Please do not touch any
of the idols within the temple. To maintain the spiritual atmosphere observe
silence inside the temple. |
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Dress
Code
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Appropriate attire is
suggested. As this is a place of worship, visitors are requested to abide by
the following dress code. All clothing must cover shoulders and knees. The
dresses like shorts, short skirts,ripped or truncated jeans or sleeveless
shirts etc are not advisable. Please avoid dresses which are inappropriate
while attending the temple. |
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Restrooms
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are located in the
basement. Diapers to be changed in the rest room only. |
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Photo-Videography
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Photo graphy and
videography inside the MahaMandapam is strictly prohibited. |
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Cell
Phones
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Please switch off all
cell phones prior to entering the temple. Cell phones with cameras must not
be used to take photographs inside the temple. |
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Food
& Drink
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No food or drinks are
allowed inside the MahaMandapam. Please discard any chewing gum in the bin provided
before entering. The ingredients such as Onion, Garlic are not to be used for
food preparation and as well as take bath before preparing any prasadams for
the temple. |
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Smoking
and Alcohol
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Smoking, tobacco, alcohol
and drugs are not allowed anywhere in the temple premises. |
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Parking
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Free parking available.
Do not park in the fire-zones and in front of any of the building. The
management does not assume any responsibility for vehicles parked on the
premises. |
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Guide
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Guides are available for
schools / groups. (Advance notice required and subject to availability. Write
to fd@srilakshmi.org). |
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Security
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For the safety of all
visitors, all activities in the Complex are monitored and recorded by video
surveillance. Pets are not allowed inside the complex. |
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Donations
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Visitors wishing to make
donations towards the temple contact the Front DESK. Cheques can be made
payable to ‘NEHTI.' Tax receipt will be issued for amounts over $15.00.
Please make your donations to front desk or deposit in the HUNDI |
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Childrens
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Please do
not allow your children to run around and play in the Maha Mantapam of the
temple. This is very distracting to devotees trying to concentrate on the
ritual. It is recommended the childrens are accompanied by the adults.
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Maha
Mantapam
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The
Temple is a center for devotion, worship, performance of religious functions
and expression of gratitude to the deity of your choice. Sancity of the
Temple must be respected and silence must be observed to avoid disturbance to
the Temple activities. The Maha Mantapam is a place for prayer, whorship and
ritual. If you wish to socialize with your friends, kindly go downstairs or
outside, especially when the priests are performing a ritual and devotees are
trying to pay attention to the procedures. Please be sensitive to those
around you wishing to pray quietly. No Eating is allowed in maha mantapam
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Please
leave your footwear at the entrance in an orderly way, so that they are
easily available at the time of leaving, after worship.
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Please Note -The Management also reserves the right to cancel or
alter any visit or close the temple or part of the premises without prior
notice. Every effort will be made to avoid any inconvenience.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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