Newsletter from the TriState Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, Newburgh, IN
Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye, Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri, Narayani Namostute
It’s an exciting time at the Tristate Hindu Temple with several ongoing events and projects, and we would like
to introduce you to some of them through this newsletter.
Shardiya Navratri:
A message from Panditji, Shri Surendra Mishra: Navratri is a festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navratri
in Sanskrit means nine nights. During these nine nights and ten days, Goddess Durga is worshipped in nine
different forms, known as Navdurga. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami when idols of Goddess
Durga are immersed into the water body.
Navratri is celebrated in all Indian states and is very popular in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. On the
first day of Navratri, Goddess Durga is invoked into a Kalash with full Vedic rituals, with chanting of Mantras.
The invocation and dwelling of Goddess Durga into the Kalash is known as Ghatasthapana or
Kalashsthapana.
In West Bengal, Navratri is celebrated as Durga Puja on the last three days of Navratri famously known as
Durga Saptami, Durga Ashtami and Durga Navami. It would be correct to say that Durga Puja in West Bengal
is a smaller version of the nine days Navratri.
In other news:
Kids Playground: A kid’s playground was installed last month. Children are the most important part of our
community and many of you had suggested inclusion of a playground in the expansion plans. We are
extremely thankful for your suggestions and contributions to this project.
Temple Membership: And a big thanks for your membership this year. For the first time ever, we have
more than a hundred members in the Tristate Hindu Temple community. Your membership makes it
possible to take care of the day to day expenses, plan more projects and enhancements, and prepare for the
temple expansion project.
New Temple Signboard: After many years of service, the old signboard was blown away in the rains. Hope
you noticed the new signboard in front of the temple.
Other temple events:
Golf fundraiser: Our biggest fundraiser was another tremendous success this year as well. The Golf
tournament was played on September 11 at Quail Crossing Club in Boonville, IN. We wish to thank all the
organizers, the participants and sponsors for making this event a great success.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations:
Congratulations to the Scholarship recipients:
Congratulations to Ruple Jairath and Harsh Moolani, the recipients of Tristate Hindu Temple College
Scholarship for 2016. The scholarships are given to applicants who have attended and volunteered at the
temple, and paid towards tuition at the college of their choice. And congratulations to all graduates this year,
we are really proud of you guys.
Sunday School:
The Vedic Heritage Sunday School is back in session. The school focuses on educating children on the basics
of Vedic heritage and Hindu culture. The schedule includes yoga, crafts/art/coloring session, shloka and
bhajan lessons, basics of the Hindi language, and their most favorite part – stories and snack session. A long
term curriculum is being worked on with inclusion of Bhagavad Gita and other activities.
The students are currently working on presentations at the Global Crossroads Cultural and Music Festival at
New Harmony, IN and preparing their performance at the Cultural Society of India Diwali function in
Owensboro, KY.
Please bring your children for the classes and introduce them to our cultural and religious heritage. The
school is in session at the Tristate Hindu Temple on Sundays from 5-6.30 pm.
Other events in October:
Navratri begins October 1
Dushahara October 10
Sharat Poornima October 15
Karva Chawth October 18
Diwali October 29
And yet to come:
The Temple Construction Committee and the Temple Executive Committee are in final discussions to finalize
a New Temple Building Plan. Of course, this is a matter of great excitement for all, and we have to make
sure all the finer details and building concerns are addressed and sorted out. The plans will soon be
presented for approval to the Board of Trustees and we hope to bring out the details to you in the near
future. And, Board of Trustee members – a reminder for the meeting on October 22nd. Stay tuned.
This newsletter is a humble attempt to keep the community updated on the events and activities at the Tristate Hindu Temple and
Cultural Center. We would like to hear your suggestions and comments. Please feel free to write to us at