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Sadharmic Brothers and Sisters,
Jai Jinendra
Nearly 400 days ago, we had the glorious Consecration Ceremonies for our temple at the Ithaca St. New York. We waited for years and years to have our own Shikharbandhi Temple, and spent years of manpower and tons of money. We were given the date of 18" June 2005 - as The Auspicious Day for Pratishtha. We planned elaborate Pratishtha Celebrations for eight days of unbelievable activities. Of course the 19" June 2005 became the very First Day for the fully functioning Dream Temple.
We had many committees to oversee various aspects of the Pratishtha Mahotsav. My co-conveners worked very hard overseeing each and every detail from all the committees, made valuable suggestions, rulings, and even involved themselves in day-to-day workings of some committees. Some members loaned us the funds necessary to enter into commitments. Indeed on behalf of our Center, I am ever so grateful to them.
In May 2004, many of us made a pilgrimage to Surat to participate in the 'Anjanshalaka' 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony, at the end of which we greeted Suratwasi with a 'Rath Yatra' with "Indra Indrani" on Elephant back, through the streets of Surat. Our fifteen hundred members celebrated Nagar Pravesh in New York, with our Lords in a grand Rath Yatra from our 74" Street Temple to the Ithaca St. Temple. During the Pratishtha Mahotsav, we had yet another Rath Yatra adorned by our distinguished guests and over thousand members including 151 ladies carrying the Kumbh, circumscribing the Ithaca Street Temple. Hats off to our Procession Committee!
We started with Lord's Janmakalyanak celebration with Indra Indrani Ballet, at the Hindu Temple Auditorium. We had multiple Poojans and Rituals, on all the floors of the Temple during the week of Pratishtha, followed by religious discourses from our learned guests. Some evenings we had elaborate cultural programs, while some were reserved for Garba Raas. Our Swamivatsalya Committee was on over drive and provided feasts fit for the royalties, each and every morning and evening, for all the ten days.
None of the committee's role was less than others. They all performed very well. The credit for the Grand Success of the Pratishtha Mahotsav belongs to each and every member of all the committees, and to all our members for their seamless co-operation. I am grateful to you all. My heartiest thanks also extend to your family members who put up with all the inconveniences, for all those months prior to the Pratishtha.
Our distinguished guests, we were honored by your presence, and by your blessings. Thank you all very much, for coming and to make our experience so meaningful. Please excuse us for our shortcomings, they were unintentional. "MICHHAMI DUKKADAM"
I end quoting: as aptly expressed by W. Wordsworth in his poem on 'The Daffodils"
For oft, when on my couch I lie, in vacant or in pensive mood; They flash upon that inward eye,
Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the {daffodils.
{my Sahadharmic members celebrating the Pratishtha
Dilip Mukhtyar MD Convener Pratishtha Mahotsav 2005 New York, USA
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