RE: Digest Number 255

[Guest guest]

Topic: Houston Vikasa Tarangini Vijaya Dashami Bhhomipooja

 

Vijaya Dashami (Dussera) on Friday October 26 was a great day, a day of a

great Beginning for the devotees of Houston area. We performed the Bhoomi

Puja at our 6-acre land. A Vedaashramam with Asthalakshmi temple is planned

with great enthusiasm. Our Swamiji has blessed this project. The plans are

still preliminary and as details emerge we will inform JETUSA members. The

ambitious plan is for the Vedaashramam and the temple is being considered

for the initial focus and a place of worship for the devotees.

The land is located at a choice location in Houston, on a street populated

by Buddhist temple, Chinmaya Mission, mosque, and churches. Our immediate

neighbor is the SwamiNaraaran Temple. The project will be challenging in

light of the fact that two to three more temples are coming up in the

Houston area.

 

These are some of the details of the Bhumi Puja and the celebration:

 

1. Approximately 80 adults and children assembled by 6:30 P.M.

2. Prasad Jasti, one of our members did an admirable job in getting the site

ready for the function.

3. Priests from SwamiNaraayan Temple performed the Bhoomi Puja by sprinkling

the land with Ganga Jal and reciting the Vedic chants and the Lakshmi

Stotram.

4. The assembled group chanted Sri Sailesha Dayapatram, Lakshmi Ashtotram

and the Vishnu Sahasra Naamam. The group chanting was an uplifting

experience.

5. Renu and Srinivaas Chary Tamirisa welcomed the group and they have

received Mangalashasanams from Swamiji on behalf of Houston Vikasa Taragini.

Swamiji's message was tape recorded earlier and the message was played for

the group. Swamiji explained the concept of Lakshmi as Srimannarayana's

compassion for the devotees. He also elaborated on the significance of

Vijaya Dashami for starting any auspicious activity.

6. We thanked everybody for participating in the function. Ghanshyam Patel

of the SwamiNaraayan Temple was thanked for their continued support.

7. The function was concluded by Garbha music and prasad was served.

The atmosphere was festive and a great start for our project.