Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
Sanatan Mandir, San Bruno, CA
205 W Angus Avenue,
San Bruno, CA 94066
Mandir Timings:
Tuesday : 07:00 AM
to 09:00 PM
Other Days : 07:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Other Days : 07:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Krishna Ashtami
Katha by panditji.
Join us for Katha August 21 to August 27 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Followed by Aarthi and Mahaprasad.
Join us for Katha August 21 to August 27 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Followed by Aarthi and Mahaprasad.
Recent Activities
Aug 20 - 27: Shri Krishna Janamashtami program. View VIDEO from last year below.Aug 25: Health clinic, 10 am-11:30 am. Please plan to join for a free health and dental consultation.
Oct 19-20: Temple's 25th anniversary program.
Nov 2: Deepawali. Stay tuned for details.
FIRST TIMER? If you never visited the temple, the best day to come is on Tuesday evening at 7:30-9:00PM. There will be Ram katha, bhajan, arti, Hanuman Chalisa and mahaprasad (dinner).
E-MAILS: Best way to keep up with temple events, join our
e-mail communication list. Write at SanatanMandirSanBruno@gmail.com to add your
e-mail address.
View RamNavmi and
Balvihar Earth Day Photos https://www.facebook.com/BalViharSanatanMandirSanBruno/photos_streamDaily Events
Monday: Shivling
Pooja, Shiv Puran, Katha, Aarti and Prasad.
Tuesday: Pooja,havan,Ramayan, Aarti, prasad and Pritibhoj.
Tuesday: Pooja,havan,Ramayan, Aarti, prasad and Pritibhoj.
Hinduism
Hinduism ( Hindu Dharma, also known as Sanatana Dharma) is a religion that originated on the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism encompasses many religious beliefs, traditions, practices, and denominations. Most Hindus believe in a One Supreme Cosmic Spirit called Brahman that may be worshiped in many forms, represented by individual deities such as Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti. EtymologyThe Persian term Hindu is derived from Sindhu (Sanskrit: Sindhu, i.e. the Indus River in particular, or any river in general). In the Rig Vedathe foundation of Hinduismthe Indo-Aryans mention their land as Sapta Sindhu (the land of the seven rivers of the northwestern Indian subcontinent, one of them being the Indus). This corresponds to Hapta-Hendu in the Avesta (Vendidad: Fargard 1.18)-the sacred scripture of Zoroastrianism of Iran. The term was used for people who lived in the Indian subcontinent around or beyond the Sindhu.
The Persian term was borrowed by the Ancient Greeks as Indos, Indikos "Indian", from which was derived the name India, Indianus in Latin. Hinduism centers around a variety of practices that are meant to help one experience the Divinity that is everywhere and realize the true nature of the Self. Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world, with approximately 1 billion adherents (2005 figure), of whom about 890 million live in India. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma
Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism are synonymous. The term Sanatana Dharma, loosely translated as "Eternal Law or Way," is self-referential. The term "Hindu," however, is a 12th century Persian abstraction referring to the Indic civilization they found espousing certain beliefs, practices and a way of life on the banks of the Indus (therefore Hindu) river. Over the centuries, the diverse followers of Sanatana Dharma, which include those who, amongst other concepts, accept the sanctity of the Vedas and other Hindu scripture; believe in one all-pervasive Divine (Brahman) which has no form or manifestations and is worshiped in infinite forms; believe in the laws of karma, dharma, reincarnation; and accept the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha) have adopted the references of Hindu and Hinduism. Other terms used to refer to Hinduism include Vedic, Sanskritic, Yogic, Indic and Ancient Indian.
Hindu Commandments
Hinduism is a family of traditions that emphasizes experience and evaluation and thus, offers overarching guidelines rather than absolute lists of do's and don'ts or commandments in regulating individual behavior. For a Hindu, all actions are to be guided by dharma. Hindu ethical values flow from one's understanding of the nature of reality and inform the Hindu understanding of right and wrong
Moksha
The ultimate purpose and goal for a Hindu's religious and spiritual practice is to attain moksha. Moksha is achieved through Self-realization (atma-jnana) or realization of one's true, divine nature. Hindus believe that each individual (anything living) is a divine soul, but that spiritual ignorance leads one to identify the self completely with the body and ego, thereby forgetting the divine nature of not only one's self, but all of existence. Moksha is characterized by the overcoming of spiritual ignorance; the complete elimination of material desires and attachments; the perfected ability to live in the present moment and experience absolute peace; and most importantly, the awakening of pure compassion towards all. Moksha also translates to liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara). Someone may attain moksha during his or her lifetime or upon the death of his or her physical body.
Why I am a Hindu?
Author: Unknown
Four years ago, I was flying from JFK NY Airport to SFO to attend a meeting at Monterey, CA. An American girl was sitting on the right side, near window seat. It indeed was a long journey - it would take nearly seven hours.
I was surprised to see the young girl reading a Bible unusual of young Americans. After some time she smiled and we had few acquaintances talk. I told her that I am from India. Then suddenly the girl asked: 'What's your faith?'
'What?' I didn't understand the question.
'I mean, what's your religion? Are you a Christian? Or a Muslim?'*
'No!' I replied, 'I am neither Christian nor Muslim'. Apparently she appeared shocked to listen to that.
'Then who are you?'
‘I am a Hindu', I said.
She looked at me as if she was seeing a caged animal. She could not understand what I was talking about. A common man in Europe or US knows about Christianity and Islam, as they are the leading religions of the world today.
But a Hindu, what?.
I explained to her I am born to a Hindu father and Hindu mother. Therefore, I am a Hindu by birth.*
'Who is your prophet?' she asked.
'We don't have a prophet,' I replied.
'What's your Holy Book?'
'We don't have a single Holy Book, but we have hundreds and thousands of philosophical and sacred scriptures,' I replied.
'Oh, come on at least tell me who is your God?'
'What do you mean by that?'
'Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?'
I thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe one God (Male God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who inhabit it. Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief. According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that anything else is not acceptable. I understood her perception and concept about faith. You can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading religions where you have to believe in one concept of god.
I tried to explain to her: 'You can believe in one god and he can be a Hindu.. You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more - you may not believe in god at all, still you can be a Hindu. An atheist can also be a Hindu.'
This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so unorganized, still surviving for thousands of years, even after onslaught from foreign forces.
'I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?'
What can I tell to this American girl? I said: 'I do not go to temple regularly. I do not make any regular rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it sometimes'
‘Enjoy? Are you not afraid of God?' She countered.
'God is a friend. No- I am not afraid of God. Nobody has made any compulsions on me to perform these rituals regularly.'
She thought for a while and then asked: 'Have you ever thought of converting to any other religion?'
'Why should I?. Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning. I remain as a Hindu never by force, but choice.'
I told her that Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. It is not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by any one person or does not have an single organized controlling body like the Church or the Order, I added. There is no single institution or authority.
'So, you don't believe in God?' she wanted everything in black and white.
‘I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scripture, or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or he might not be there. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority (Para Brahma) that is the creator of this universe.'
'Why can't you believe in one personal God?'
'We have a concept - abstract - not a personal god. The concept or notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling us irrational stories through few men whom he sends as messengers, demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor who wants others to respect him or fear him.' I told her that such notions are just fancies of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal gods. The entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The philosophical side of Hinduism negates all superstitions.
'Good that you agree God might exist. You told that you pray. What is your prayer then?'
I recited the following short prayer:
'Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!'
'Funny,' she laughed, 'What does
it mean?''May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.'
'Hmm ..very interesting.. I want to learn more about this religion. It is so democratic, broad-minded and free' she exclaimed.
'The fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.'
'How does anybody convert to Hinduism?'
'Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but a set of beliefs, practices and a way of life and culture. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no single authority or organization either to accept it or to reject it or to oppose it on behalf of Hinduism.'
‘For a real seeker’, I told her, ‘the Bible itself gives guidelines when, it says Kingdom of God is within you.' I reminded her of Christ's teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life. Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real. 'Isavasyam idam sarvam' Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every living being and non-living things as God.
That's what Hinduism teaches you. Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas.- It is open to all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity. Ancestors of today's Hindus believe in eternal truths and cosmic laws and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. But there is a section of Hindus who are either superstitious or turned fanatic to make this an organized religion like others. The British coin the word 'Hindu' and considered it as a religion.
I continued: 'Religions have become an MLM (multi-level- marketing) industry that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today's world is Spirituality. Hinduism is no exception'
I am a Hindu primarily because it professes Non-violence - 'Ahimsa Paramo Dharma' - Non violence is the highest duty. I am a Hindu because it doesn't conditions my mind with any faith system. A man/ woman who change 's his/her birth religion to another religion is a fake and does not value his/her morals, culture and values in life. Hinduism was the first religion originated. Be proud of your religion and be proud of who you are.
Om Namah shivaya!
Bal vihar
Bal vihar is a
Non-Profit Community Learning Center inside Sanatan Mandir Temple, San Bruno,
California for Kids of All Ag
Contact us
Email: sanatanmandir1@yahoo.com
Phone: (650) 794 - 1294
Phone: (650) 921 - 3468
Program Outline:
9:55 - 10:00 Arrival/Sign in
10:00 - 10:45 Language Class
10:45 - 11:00 Break Time
11:00 - 11:45 Religion/Culture Foundation
11:45 - 12:00 Assembly/Group Prarthna Time
12:00 Noon: Program Ends/Sign Out
Classes runs every Sunday except on scheduled holidays
Check Balvihar Event Calender on YahooGroup for holidays
Join Balvihar Yahoo group:
Group email address: SanatanMandirBalvihar@yahoogroups.com
For Free Registration/More Information Contact:
Nilesh Cahudhary, Email:
nileshwar@gmail.com
Teachers:
Mrs Rashami Kaur, Mrs Anila Prasad, Mrs
Kritika Prasad, Mrs Nandana Datta, Mrs Seema Singh & Nilesh Chaudhary
Food & Supplies Manager:
Mrs Usha Chandra
Yoga Every Sunday from 11 AM to 11:45 AM,
Yoga Co-ordinators:
Mrs Ashika Prasad & Mrs Raju Amin
Health Clinic
Health Clinic
Happens Once in a month. Doctors and Nurses will be at our temple on Sunday
March 31 at 10AM-noon for a FREE service. Please invite others.
Prayer Ingredients
Ingredients are listed for Satyanarayan Katha, Nau Garah, Grah parvesh, Durga Pooja, Weeping and funeral Home pooja, Dashwan, Gharwan and Bharwan poojas. Please scroll down to check ingredients of desired poojaSatyanarayan Katha Prayer Ingredients
1 yard yellow cloth
1 lb white rice (wash and dry)
1lb yellow rice (use food color)
1lb green rice
2 lb red rice
1 lb or 2 big packets white sesame seeds
1 packet black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
Rose Water bottle
1copra coconut
Panchamrit (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar)1 gola moli
1 gola yellow dora
2 pieces Janeu
Yellow chandan powder
Haldi powder (1 small packet)
Kumkum powder
Sindoor powder
Abhir powder
Gulal powder
Mixed Fowers (red, yello, white etc.)
Kush grass
Green grass (Doop grass)
Small perfume
2 miti diyas
Ctton
1 bottle ghee
Campher
1 packet agharbatti
1 packet Havan Samagri
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Nau garah lakadi (9 planet woods)
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
Beetle leaves (20 pieces)
Supari (15)
1 packet long
1 packet elaichi
1 packet raisins
1 packet almonds
Fresh fruits (Banana is compulsory)
Panjiri
Kheer, puri, halwa
2 yards white cloth
1 lb white rice (wash and dry)
2 lb red rice (use food color)
1 packet black sesame seeds
1lb yellow rice
1 lb green rice
Ganga water bottle
Rose Water bottle
1copra coconut
Panchamrit (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar)1 gola moli
1 gola yellow dora
1 dora each of green, white, black and red
Haldi Powder- 1 packet
Kumkum Powder- 1 packet
Sindoor Powder - 1 Packet
Yellow chandan powder
Mixed Flowers (red, yello, white etc.)
Kush grass
Green grass (Dhoop grass)
Small perfume
2 medium size miti diyas
Cotton
1 bottle ghee
Campher
1 packet agharbatti
1 packet Havan Samagri
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Aluminium Tray
Nau garah lakadi (9 planet woods)
Nau garah yantra(copper)
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
Beetle leaves (20 pieces)
Supari (15)
1 packet long
1 packet elaichi
1 packet raisins
1 packet almonds
Fresh fruits (Banana is compulsory)
Kheer, 2 puri
Tulsi Leaves
Yellow Mustard Seeds- 1 packet (only for grah pooja)
1 yard yellow cloth
1 lb red rice
1/2 lb yellow rice
1/2 lb green rice
1/2 lb white rice
Durga Picture (murti)
1 packet black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
Rose Water bottle
1copra coconut
1 coconut with waterPanchamrit (milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar)
1 gola moli
1 gola yellow dora
1 dora each of green, white, black and red
Haldi Powder- 1 packet
Kumkum Powder- 1 packet
Sindoor Powder - 1 Packet
Yellow chandan powder
Mixed Flowers (red, yello, white etc.)
Kush grass
Green grass (Dhoop grass)
Small perfume
3 medium size miti diyas
Avir powder
Durga Mala
Durga Shinghar Samagri (saree etc)
Cotton
1 bottle ghee
Campher
1 packet agharbatti
1 packet Havan Samagri
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Aluminium Tray
Nau garah lakadi (9 planet woods)
Nau garah yantra(copper)
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
Beetle leaves (20 pieces)
Supari (15)
Small bottle mustard oil
1 packet long
1 packet elaichi
1 packet raisins
1 packet almonds
Fresh fruits (Banana is compulsory)
Kheer, 2 puri
Tulsi Leaves
1/2 lb rice powder
1/2 lb barley powder
2 packets black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
Rose Water bottle
1 small honey bottle
1 gallon milkWhite Chandan - 1 packet
10 plastic bowls
15 plastic spoons
Paper towel
7 small pieces of gold
Picture of deceased
Mixed Flowers (red, yellow, white etc.)
Kush grass
Green grass (Doop grass)
Small perfume
3 big size miti diyas
Abhir powder
Cotton
1 bottle ghee
1 box Campher
2 packets agharbatti
1 big matchbox
1 white dhoti, 2 janeu for person performing sharad
Aluminium tray -4
Water Bottle -2 or 3
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
Person performing sharad should shave, take a shower and then wear dhoti etc..
1/2 lb rice powder
1/2 lb barley powder
2 packets black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
1 small honey bottle
1 gallon milkWhite Chandan - 1 packet
100 plastic bowls
7 big plastic glasses
White Flowers
Kush grass
2 miti diyas
1 small bottle of sesame oil
Cotton
1 small bottle ghee
1 box Campher
2 packets agharbatti
1 big matchbox
Agarbhatti
Dhoop- 1 packet
Beetle leaves -30
Supari -11
For gents -Janeu (11)
White dora
Yellow Mustard seeds
1 small packet of campher
1 gola white dora
Aluminium tray - 3
Water Bottle -2 or 3
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
1/2 lb rice
Gahrawan (11 days) pooja ingredients
1/2 lb rice powder
1/2 lb barley powder
2 packets black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
1 small honey bottle
1 gallon milkWhite Chandan - 1 packet
50 plastic bowls
10 plastic spoons
5 big plastic glasses
White Flowers
Kush grass
1 gola white dora
1 gola white wool
4 miti diyas
1 small bottle of sesame oil
1 lb white rice
Cotton
1 small bottle ghee
1 box Campher
2 packets agharbatti
1 big matchbox
Agarbhatti
Dhoop- 2 packets
Beetle leaves -40
Supari -18
For gents -Janeu (17)
White dora
Yellow Mustard seeds
1 small packet of campher
Aluminium tray - 3
Water Bottle -2 or 3
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
2 lb rice (1 lb for kheer)
1 packet barley seeds
1 lb barley powder
3 packets black sesame seeds
Ganga water bottle
1 small honey bottle
1 gallon milkWhite Chandan - 1 packet
80 plastic bowls
10 plastic spoons
5 big plastic glasses
White Flowers
Kush grass
1 gola white dora
1 gola white wool
5 miti diyas
1 small bottle of sesame oil
Cotton
1 small bottle ghee
1 box Campher
2 packets agharbatti
1 big matchbox
Dhoop- 2 packets
Beetle leaves -50
Supari -21
Kaphoor - 1 packet
For gents -Janeu (17)
Perfume
White dora
Yellow Mustard seeds- 1 packet
1 small packet of campher
Aluminium tray - 4
Water Bottle -2 or 3
Mango Sticks or oak woods (1 big packet)
Aluminium foil
Wood for havan (Mango woods or any fruit wood/oak wood)
Contact Us
Sanatan Mandir, 205 Angus Avenue West, San Bruno, Calif. 94066 Telephone: (650)794-1294. Email:sanatanmandir1@yahoo.com
Contact Panditji
For astrolgical predictions/car/home poojas/kundli or any such issues please contact Pt. Jaleshwar Upadhyay (Shastri) at 650-794-1294 / (650) 921-3468
Mandir Timings
Tuesday : 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM ; Other Days : 07:00 AM to 08:00 PM
Free public parking lot is located behind Mandir. Street parking is also available.
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My humble salutations to the great devotees , wikisources
and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )
