A MASSIVE SPIRITUAL RESERVOIR IN THE MAKING IN FLORIDA

A painting of the mandir

The mandir sits on huge landspace.

Veda Vyasji was one of the greatest saints of Sanatan Dharma. This great spiritual personality simplified and combined our hundreds of scriptural texts and made it easier for us lesser mortals to understand our real purpose on earth.

One of the great teachings of this great saint and of Sanatan Dharma is that the goal of life is happiness and the purpose of life is to gain moksha or liberation. As human beings, two important questions we ask are: "How do we find this elusive happiness?" and "How do we gain moksha?"

A lake by the mandir ..

The answers are as simple as they are complicated; starting with trying to live a life that is detached from worldly things, entertain little or no desires and thoughts. This philosophy is easier said than done. But, read the Bhagavad Gita, become a student of this Celestial Song of the Divine and it will help you reach your goal in life, one step at a time.

One way to start this beautiful spiritual journey is to help in the building of a huge mandir that will become a massive spiritual goldmine for people all over the world and for generations to come.

The Sanatan Mandir of Florida, located in Orlando, is currently under construction, but if you visit this place, already it feels like a "teerth" or like taking a holy pilgrimage; not only can you feel the "shakti" or spiritual vibrations that is emanating from this holy place, but the sheer magnitude of this mandir will take your breath away.

The Sanatan Mandir of Florida is located at 3473 Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744. Visit it if you're in Orlando, Florida and take the dharshan from this holy land.

When completed, the Sanatan Mandir of Florida will be a one-of-a-kind mandir. The 18,000 square-feet mandir sits on spacious land mass of 5.5 acres of land. It will be designed with 4 tall domes of 16-feet and 8 shorter domes of 8-feet. The mandir will have a walk away all the way around the mandir with about four entrances.

Pandit Baljit Ramnarain who is spearheading this gigantic project is doing an extremely, extremely great job. Pandit Baljit, who is the father of Pandit Yoga Ramnarain fo New York, should be relaxing now instead of taking on such a huge venture head-one. His indomitable spirit, resilience, courage, devotion, humility and love for his dharma is unshakeable and contagious at the same time. It is reminiscense of our brave ancestors who were brought from India to toil and sweat in the sugar plantations of the colonial masters over 171 years ago.

PanditJi is leading this great cause for the benefit of the community in Florida and around the globe.

Pandit Baljit celebrated his birthday on Sat. 13th Nov. His "dharam patni" and 94-years-old mother sat with him for Puja.

Sanatan Mandir of Florida has such great potential that not only will it transform lives into higher spiritual beings but it will become the spiritual reservoir of our time that people from all walks of life will journey there to absorb the pure divinity emanating from this holy place within the core of their beings.

The majestic walls of the mandir..

The construction for this mandir is a bit slow, because funding has been slow in the coming. But, we Hindus can change this situation. There is a number of ways you can help to complete this mandir: you can make a monetary donation; you can loan the mandir some of your money ( with interest or without interest) for a number of years and the mandir will repay you back and you can sponsor the building of sections of the mandir, like the Shiva Mandir or the Devi Durga Mandir, the roof, the doors, windows, etc. If you desire to make a significant donation, and would like to have a plaque of your family name installed, that can be done.

Let's do the right thing and start living for the purpose we were put on earth and that is, to gain moksha and not be too attached to worldly possessions. Let's help to create a place of holy pilgrimage right in our backyard where we could go spend time to learn to become one with God.

A section of mandir ..

If you're interested in helping in this great project, contact Pandit Baljit at: 407-856-4383 or Pandit Yoga at: 917-302-3813. Visit the website at: http://www.sanatanmandirflorida.com/.

Below are some photos taken of the Sanatan Mandir of Florida.

Walls of mandir ...

One of the entrances ..

A section of the mandir ..


The walls of the mandir..

Inside mandir ..

The walk-away around mandir ..

The sheer space in mandir ..

MAY GODDESS LAKSHMI DEVI BLESS EACH PERSON IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD

Hindus throughout the globe will be celebrating Deepavali or Diwali, which is commonly known as the Festival of Lights, on Friday 5th November. Diwali is a very special celebration in the Hindu calendar and in the lives of Hindus.

Diwali is an observation dedicated solely to the divine worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the remover of Darkness in the form of ignorance and the bestower of Light in the form of knowledge, peace, good health and prosperity.

Deepavali is a 5 days of celebration which is noted below:

--- Wednesday 3rd November - Pradosh Dhan Teras - Devotees light 2 diyas, place one at the altar and the other one outside of the door. Offer prayers to Yam Bhagwan (yes, the God of death). This prayer helps to remove untimely deaths (like suicides) from the family for this lifetime and subsequent births. Prayers to Yam Raj means he will only come when it is needed.

--- Thursday 4th November - Narak Chaturdasi - Devotees light 2 diyas, place one at the altar and the next outside the door. Again, prayers are offered to Yam Raj. Devotees ought to wake up very early and fetch water on their heads in a "ghahri", a large "pot" to take a bath. This bath will protect the devotees from hell.

---Friday 5th November - Maha Lakshmi Puja - Deepavali -This is the darkest night of the month. Devotees wake up in the wee hours of the morning, take a bath and prepare to perform Maha Lakshmi Puja. Milk, dhahee, ghee, honey and sugar are used to make prasadam for Goddess Lakshmi. Maha Lakshmi Puja is also conducted in the evening and many diyas is lit and placed all over the house. This all merciful, loving Mother Lakshmi destroys the enemies, old age and pain of the devotees. Mother Lakshmi also showers all kinds of blessings upon Her children.

---Saturday 6th November - Amawasya - Goberdhan Puja -This is the first day of the bright half of the month. On this day Puja is performed for Lord Krishna who lifted the huge Goberdhan Mountain to protect His devotees and all mankind for that matter. Pray to Bhagwan Shri Krishna on this day.

--- Sunday 7th November - Bhai Dooj -End of Deepavali - This is a celebration for sisters and brothers. The sister invites her brother to her house, cook all sorts of delicacies with her own hands and offers them to her brother. Both sister and brother prays for God's protection and grace.

More than ever, all of us need Maa Lakshmi's grace in our lives. Let us collectively on Deepavali Day pray to this all Merciful Universal Mother with unflinching faith, sincerity, love and devotion to bless all, especially our less fortunate sisters and brothers around the world. Let us also take a stand that in our own little ways, we will learn to share our riches to the less fortunate people however way we possibly can.

Shubh Diwali to one and all. May Jagajanani Maha Lakshmi Devi showers Her blessings to all in this world.

The all Merciful Mother Lakshmi

DIVINE PERSONALITY GRACES MANDIR IN RICHMOND HILL, QUEENS

SwamiJi, H.H. Maha Mandaleshwar Dr. Swami Avsheshanand from the holy city of Vrindavan, India, graced the Sanaatan Dharma Mandir of New York with his divine presence, during the 9 nights of Nauratri observation, just concluded on Saturday October 16.

Devotees at the mandir were truly blessed to be in the holy presence of SwamiJi and to listen to SwamiJi's vibrant discussions on three nights of the Fall Nauratri season - a celebration strictly dedicated to worshipping, praying, meditating and conducting Pujas for the Universal Divine Mother, the Shakti and the power that is responsible for and upholds this creation.

SwamiJi graced the mandir on three nights, Sunday - 10/10; Monday - 10/11 and Friday 10/15. On each night, SwamiJi delivered powerful, divine messages to the devotees. In essence, SwamiJi adviced us to strive to live a life that will help us gain God's dharshan or blessings and eventually to achieve moksha or liberation, the real purpose of life. God's blessings only come our way if we make a conscious effort to think of God, develop a love for God and to live a life that reflects the teachings of the scriptures. Attending satsang, performing Pujas and doing good deeds, performing our duty perfectly and chant the name of God are some of the ways to increase our Bhakti (devotion) for God.

It was a real treat to have SwamiJi among us and to listen to him patiently advising us on how to gain God's or Seeta Ram's grace.

SwamiJi is a truly Godly personality who at the tender age of 10-years old, left his home, family and the world of materialism to begin his long journey on the spiritual path among saints and sages.

Listening to SwamiJi talk and observing his graceful, kind, loving, warm
and affectionate interaction with the devotees at the mandir, one's heart flows with such spiritual joy that it feels right to take on all SwamiJi's burdens, pain, hardships and anything of that nature, if he has any. SwamiJi is such a great Bhakta of God, so humble, so spiritually beautiful yet his greatness is known far and wide in India and abroad. SwamiJi is also extremely knowledgeable on the Hindu texts.

SwamiJi manages several temples in India and the famous Geeta Ashram in Gandhi Marg, Vrindavan. He devotes a part of his time to raise funds to maintain these holy places and to provide meals and clothing to hundreds of swamis and children in India. At the Geeta Ashram, a visistor can go there and stay free for several days with hot meals provided at no charge.

This was SwamiJi's annual trip to the USA, rasing funds for this great work he is continuing from the rich legacy of his GuruJi. SwamiJi also went to the Durga Temple in New Jersey, where he normally spend more time. This time he spent more in the New York area.

Pandit Yoga Ramnarain met SwamiJi in India when he went there with his family for a six week teerth to holy places. He being in close contact with SwamiJi, introduced him to us. Pandit Yoga is also a big contributor to SwamiJi's charity work in India, where he said USD$200.00 can feed over 300 swamis and the blessings thereof will last for all eternity.

We're going to document SwamiJi's great charity work in India on this website: http://www.sanatanmandirflorida.com/ with photos and articles for all to see. We're also going to provide contact info for anyone who would like to contribute to SwamiJi's great charity work or if you would like to sponsor the feeding of 300 swamis in India for your birthdays, anniversaries or any special ocassions, you're free to do so. It is just one phone call or email away. The blessings thereof will follow you for all eternity. Think about it.

Below are some photos of SwamiJi at the Sanaatan Dharma Mandir.

SwamiJi sitting at the alter, in the presence of Jagajanani Durga Devi.



Devotees and SwamiJi performing the sacred aarti..


SwamiJi contemplating ...


SwamiJi with Pandit Yoga at mandir


SwamiJi delivering one of his lectures.

SwamiJi distributing gifts to devotees he brought from India

SANATAN DHARMA MANDIR OF NYC PRESENTS 5TH DINNER & CULTURAL SHOW & DINNER

Members of the Sanatan Dharma Mandir of New York presents its 5th Dinner & Culural presentation - 2010 on Sunday 12th September at the popular Fairfield Pavilion in Richmond Hill, Queens. Funds were raised for the buying of a new property to house the mandir in Richmond Hill, which has the largest concentration of Guyanese in the USA.

Despite the inclement weather condition, the spacious hall was packed to capacity, a tangible testimony that the folks in the community really enjoy the dinner and cultural show put out by the Sanatan Dharma Mandir.

The cultural show was very well coordinated with a sprinkle of oldies, sizzling dances, a skit and a first-timer item of a sari show. The sari show seemed to be one of the most favorite items on the program enjoyed by the lively audience. The young ladies from the mandir, ranging from age 8-years-old to teenagers, did a fabulous job, displaying their lovely saris.

The very talented singers and musicians thrilled the crowd with their songs; the snack and food were all delicious and were ravished by the audience. Everybody had a good old time.

Below some snapshots of the kids doing their thing in the evening.


A group song by the children of the mandir.


Parveen beautifully displaying her 'peach color' sari.


Divya displays a beautiful smile and pretty pink sari.


Little Pooja dazzling the crowd with her orange sari.

Savitrie is really ejoying displaying her lovely blue sari.

Alexa confidently walks the cat-walk with her pretty rose pink sari.

This young model excellently executing a striking pose with her pretty sari.

All the models stike a group pose after show.

A group dance in color costumes.

HAPPY SHRI KRISHNA JANAM ASHTMI 2010

Hindus globally observed Shri Krishna Janam Ashtmi 2010 for two days in grand style and with the degree of spirituality that the celebration embodies. On Wednesday 1st September, those devotees who are Smaartans celebrated Shri Krishna Janam Ashtmi and on Thursday 2nd September, devotees who are Vaishnavs celebrated Janam Ashtmi.

The Smaartans are devotees who worship God in many manifestations, for instance, in the forms of Lord Krishna, Shri Ram, Durga Devi, Lord Shiva and so on. Those devotees who are Vaishnavs worship the Lord in the for of Lord Vishnu alone. Either way, all devotees were engaged in intense prayers, fasting and pujas to one God.

Janam Ashtmi is the celebration of the appearance of the Supreme Being in the form of Lord Krishna on earth. It is observed on the 8th day (Ashtmi) of the second forthnight of the month of Sravana which corresponds to the month of Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha (August-September).

Shri Bal Krishna is the Eight Avatar of Lord Vishnu. He made His appearance at mid-night on a dark, very stormy night to royal parents Devaki and Vasudeva who were chained and locked up in a highly guarded prison cell by the evil King Kansa in Mathura. Soon after, Lord Krishna
instructed His father Vasudeva to carry Him across the Yamuna River to the house of Nand Baba and Yashoda in Gokula. They also had a new born baby. Vasudeva exchanged the babies and brought the girl baby from the Nand Baba household back to the prison cell.

Shri Krishna's arrival heralded the permanent end of the evil Kansa - His maternal uncle. The Lord's sole purpose on earth was to eradicate evil and establish a kingdom of righteousness for all mankind.

Like all the avatars of Lord Vishnu, Shri Krishna's manifestation is a very special. Lord Krishna starts performing His duty from the Little Baby form, Bal Krishna. When the atrocious King Kansa learnt that his enemy was born and well in Gokula, he sent the evil demoness Putna, to kill Him. Putna nursed the babies and in the process because of her illusive power, she was able to change her milk to poison. When the babies drink from it, of course, they die. Eventually, she arrived at Nanda Baba and Yashoda's house. She went in secretly and started nursing Bal Krishna. Little Baby Krishna nursed from her and killed her.

Anyways, there will be no end if one starts relating all the leelas (stories) of Shri Krishna.

But, at the Sanatan Dharma Mandir of New York, in Richmond Hill, Pandit Yoga Ramnarain did an excellent job of performing the 'Abhishek' puja of Bal Krishna. The obervation of the festival was done outside in the yard, which was beautifully decorated and transformed into the household of Nand Baba and Yashoda Maiya, who when they woke up the next morning and learnt that they were blessed with a boy baby, went absolutely crazy with love and devotion. And to find that their son was so celestially beautiful, with big brown eyes intently staring at back at them. Their hearts just melted with happiness and joy. Such was the ambience of the celebration on Wednesday night at the mandir yard.

There is something magical and divine about performing pujas under the night's sky and especially, if it is Janam Ashtmi Puja being performed under the dark, blue sky, sprinkled with tiny stars from high up and afar. And to have a extremely knowledgeable, sincere and devoted spiritual leader like Pandit Yoga, who pores his entire being when he is engaged in worship, it creates a soulfully blissful atmosphere which is very difficult to transform back to the earthly plane.

Janam Ashtmi celebration was a marvelous night at the Sanatan Dharma Mandir and everyone enjoyed the festivities and partook in the observation.

A very happy Janam Ashtmi 2010 to all Hindus and may Lord Krishna work within us to help eradicate the negative qualities within us.

Below are some beautiful pictures of Bal Krishna gathered on-line.

Bal Krishna seen licking dahi from His fingers



Bal Krishna blissfully sits in Yashoda Maiya's arms.


"Abhishek" being performed on Bal Krishna at Nand Baba's household.


The Lord was loving known as the "makhanchor" - the dahi thief. He loves dahi!


Shri Krishna instructing Arjuna at the battlefield of Kurushetra, the Bhagavad Gita - the song of life.