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Page 1: December 2014 - S. V. Temple · Srī Annamāchārya, Sri Purandara Dasa, Sri Azhwars as well as Swathi Thirunal were celebrated, with renowned artists performing. Upcoming artists
Page 2: December 2014 - S. V. Temple · Srī Annamāchārya, Sri Purandara Dasa, Sri Azhwars as well as Swathi Thirunal were celebrated, with renowned artists performing. Upcoming artists

Sri Venkateswara Temple Pittsburgh, PA Sri Venkateswara Temple Pittsburgh, PA

SV Temple Pittsburgh

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mārkaṇḍēya uvāca |mārkaṇḍēya said

nārāyaṇaṁ parabrahma sarvakāraṇakārakam |prapadyē vēṅkaṭēśākhyaṁ tadēva kavacaṁ mama ||1||

I offer my salutations to the name of Vēṅkaṭēśwara, Lord Narayana Himself, the Supreme Lord, cause of everything, and this serves as my protective armor.

sahasraśīrṣāpuruṣō vēṅkaṭēśaśśirō:'vatu |prāṇēśa: prāṇanilaya: prāṇan rakṣatu mē hari: ||2||

May my head and life be protected by the thousand-headed Lord Vēṅkaṭēśwara, Lord Hari, Lord of the life force, abode of all life forces.

ākāśarāṭ sutānātha ātmānaṁ mē sadāvatu |dēvadēvōttamō:'pāyāddēhaṁ mē vēṅkaṭēśvara: ||3||

May Lord Vēṅkaṭēśwara, consort of the daughter of the king of the sky, best of the divine beings, protect my soul, and my body from any danger.

sarvatra sarvakālēṣu maṅgāṁbājānirīśvara: |pālayēnmāṁ sadā karmasāphalyaṁ na: prayacchatu ||4||

Everywhere, at all times, may the consort of Alamelu Manga, take care of me, and confer on us success in our efforts.

ya ētadvajrakavacamabhēdyaṁ vēṅkaṭēśitu: |sāyaṁ prāta: paṭhēnnityaṁ mr̥tyuṁ tarati nirbhaya: ||5||

Whoever recites this Vēṅkaṭēśwara Vajrakavacha Stōtraṁ to Lord Vēṅkaṭēśwara daily in the morning and evening will confront death fearlessly.

|| iti śrīvēṅkaṭēśvaravajrakavacastōtraṁ sampūrṇam ||Thus, concludes the Śrī Vēṅkaṭēśwara Vajrakavacha Stōtraṁ

SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLELocation: 1230 South McCully Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235

Postal Address: P. O. Box 17280, Pittsburgh, PA 15235Phone: (412) 373-3380; Fax: (412) 373-7650

Website: www.svtemple.org, Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/SVTemplePgh

December 2014Dear Devotees,

The Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, Trustees, Employees and Volunteers of the Sri Venkateswara Temple, Pittsburgh wish you and your

family a peaceful and prosperous 2015!

At this time of the year, it is customary for S. V. Temple Management to pause and reflect on events of the year gone by and to thank the numerous devotees of the Temple who have made generous voluntary donations during the year enabling us to maintain the stature of this Temple as one of the foremost Indian Temples in the Western Hemisphere.

We are indeed humbled by the outpouring of financial support via mail, online and in person, from devotees in North America and beyond. This is a clear indication of the confidence that devotees have in the S. V. Temple Management to utilize resources wisely, provide authentic Hindu religious services, thus ensuring total devotee satisfaction. In this regard, we, the Management, would like to reassure our devotees that every donation received is strictly accounted for, independently audited, and conforms to sound accounting principles in the USA.

Religious activities according to established Agamic rites and rituals continued to be our focus during the year. The year 2014 was a unique one, with the celebration of two Brahmotsavams and two Vishesha Kalyana Utsavams to the Lord. Vaikunta Ekadasi saw devotees chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam, while enjoying the beautifully flower decorated Vaikunta Dwaram. Vasanthotsavam was celebrated with the inauguration of the new silver Pallakki. For the July 4th weekend, a special Sita Rama Kalyanam was performed much to the delight of out-of-town devotees. Annual events such as Tiruvadipuram, Varamahalakshmi Vratam, Krishna Janmashtami, Vinayaka Chaturthi, Teppotsavam and Rathotsavam were conducted with the usual pomp and religious fanfare. Deepavali, accompanied by fireworks and sparklers for children once again witnessed a large gathering of devotees. Community leaders were invited for this occasion.

The new S. V. Temple Religious Outreach Program is gaining much appreciation. This involves performing puja by S. V. Temple priests at an outside location within a 100-mile radius. Thus, Yathra Murthys were sent to Morgantown, WV for a Kalyana Utsavam and a Sathyanarayana Puja was performed in Erie, PA. Both events were well attended and appreciated by the local sponsors.

Labor Day Weekend witnessed a grand celebration of Sahasra Kalasabhishekam and Sudarshana Homam for a period of five days culminating in the consecration and dedication of the sacred Swarna Sahasranama Mala to Lord Venkateswara. At the same event, necklaces for Sridevi, Sri Bhudevi and Sri Venkateswara were also dedicated. Priests from other Temples in the region were invited to this well attended event. We now await the arrival of the Hamsa and Simha Vahanas to add to our complement of

Śrī Vēṅkaṭēśwara Vajrakavacha StōtramThe diamond armor prayer to Śrī Vēṅkaṭēśwara

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Sri Venkateswara Temple Pittsburgh, PA Sri Venkateswara Temple Pittsburgh, PA

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Vahanas used during the Navarathri festival. The above religious activities would not have been possible without the outpouring of donations to the Jewelry Fund from ardent devotees from all over the country.

On the cultural front, S. V. Temple continues to invite artists well known in the world of music and dance, to perform in the newly upgraded auditorium. The new wooden flooring, new curtains and improved audio and video all enhance the enjoyment pleasure of devotees. The five major annual Aradhanas for the saints Sri Thyagaraja, Srī Annamāchārya, Sri Purandara Dasa, Sri Azhwars as well as Swathi Thirunal were celebrated, with renowned artists performing. Upcoming artists are also encouraged.

As a leading Hindu religious institution, S. V. Temple continues to promote education in areas of Hindu philosophy. The Education Committee carries out this mission by organizing religious discourses, and awards scholarships through its Education Endowment Fund to graduating seniors and deserving students entering the University. Recently, the Education Committee completed the cataloging of all books and will open the library to devotees on weekends, enabling easy access of books to readers. Generous contributions to our Education Endowment Fund enabled us to provide additional scholarships, with a total of $12,500 being distributed among six recipients, all on need based criteria. Continued donations will enable the S. V. Temple to offer more scholarships to deserving students.

Introduction and exposure to the teachings of Hindu religion for children is achieved through Junior and Senior Balavihar classes taught by volunteer teachers who inculcate Hindu religious teachings to the children. In addition, children are also offered classes in the Indian languages of Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. S. V. Temple conducted a 7-day Youth Camp which was attended by over 70 students. S. V. Temple’s Indian Youth Organization (IYO), under guidance from the Youth Committee, has been active in raising funds for charities, organizing food drives for the local Food Bank, serving food at the Jubilee Soup Kitchen, participating at the Annual Youth Camp, and the annual Fall cleanup of the Temple.

An important role of the S. V. Temple is the support of Humanitarian causes throughout the world. A portion of the Temple revenue is utilized to fund various organizations that promote humanitarian issues in the USA and in India. New avenues of generating income for humanitarian causes are being explored. Thus, S. V. Temple was one of the primary sponsors of a Charity 5K Walk/Run event held in Sep 2014. The event was well attended by our Temple devotee community, and raised a significant amount benefitting two well deserving Pittsburgh based non-profit organizations.

Devotees to the Temple continue to enjoy sumptuous prasadam available at the Temple kitchen. Open 7 days a week, the Temple kitchen, with its complement of accomplished paricharakas, and admirably supported by the Mahila Seva Committee and its band of volunteers, packs and distributes nearly half-a-million prasadam packets throughout the year.

Communication of S. V. Temple activities to the outside world has been on the forefront during the year, with the streamlining of Sapthagiri Vani, the S. V. Temple weekly newsletter, and the now popular S. V. Temple Facebook. Display monitors have been installed in strategic areas of the Temple that alert devotees to events occurring in the Temple. The security level of S. V. Temple servers was recently enhanced to enable devotees to make online donations in a safe and secure manner.

Maintenance and security of the facilities of the S. V. Temple is a major responsibility of our Office Staff and that of the Management. We now have an efficient Security Service that ensures safety of devotees and protects the assets of the Temple. All Temple

employees have been provided Fire Drill training and Disaster Drill Training by the local township Fire Station and Paramedics. Installation of new HVAC systems, maintenance of lawns and gardens surrounding the Temple buildings, and other maintenance items are now routine. The Temple has embarked on a big maintenance project to re-surface the entire parking lot starting in Spring 2015.

While much has been accomplished during the year, the S. V. Temple Management sees a growing need to provide additional facilities to visiting devotees. With the motto of total devotee satisfaction, a Long Range Planning Committee has been formed to address the future needs of the Temple. Thus, a master list of prioritized projects has been created, a survey of all existing and newly acquired Temple properties completed, and a digitized 3D model of Temple property developed in consultation with architects proficient in Temple architecture. These tools will be used in the design and construction of an integrated multipurpose devotee facility within the Temple campus, while aesthetically enhancing the exterior façade of the Temple. An ambitious project such as this is possible only through sustained and generous financial support from our devotees.

Targeted devotee needs for the future

1. Parking: Additional parking spaces on Temple campus

2. Multipurpose Hall: Accommodation for 500 people and with a Dining Facility

3. Class Rooms: Five to ten rooms each with 50 student capacity

4. Welcome Center: Reception area, Front Desk Registers, Lobby for devotees to rest and relax

5. Gift Shop: Resale of temple literature and other religious items

6. Front Enclosure: To provide entrance to the Temple through Rajagopuram

7. Facility: To perform last rites(Aparakarmas)

8. Additional devotee resting area: With shower & nursing facilities

9. Yagasala: For conducting major Temple religious events

10. Additional storage space: For documents,supplies etc.

11. Green House: For growing flowers, tulasi plants, herbs, etc.

12. Seven Hills Concept: Steps/walkway for devotees to climb from bottom of the hill

Your generous tax-exempt donations can be earmarked to support a variety of projects already underway and planned future projects. These include the Education Endowment, Infrastructure/Facilities Projects, Humanitarian, Jewelry Fund, etc. “Planned Giving” of a donor’s estate is another avenue that devotees are encouraged to consider. All donations will be judiciously utilized for the purpose intended. Please use the sponsorship form on page 13 for your generous tax-exempt donations.

May the blessings of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Sri Padmavathi always be with all of us!

Chairman, Secretary Treasurer PresidentAshok M. Sarpeshkar Rajasekhar Gudapati GK Balasubramani Prabhanand Yedla Board of Directors Board of Directors Board of Directors Executive Committee

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Swarna Sahasranama Mala

Sahasra Kalasabhishekam

Brahmotsavam Ashwa Vahana Seva

Sri Lakshmi Kalyanam

Utsava Ganesha

Teppotsavam

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Sri Saraswathi Puja

SV Temple Youth Camp

Amuktamalyada

Administrative Staff

Paricharakas

Priests, Stapathy and Nadaswaram

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Sri Venkateswara Temple Statements of Financial Position

September 30, 2013 and 2012

2013 2012AssetsCurrent Assets Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 2,178,483 $ 1,306,423 Prepaid Insurance 16,428 16,407 Employee Loan 6,317 14,361 Inventory ___35,853 ____47,718

Total Current Assets _2,237,081 _1,384,909

Fixed Assets Property, Plant and Equipment 16,310,434 16,232,281 Accumulated Depreciation _(6,986,724) _(6,280,845) Net Property Plant & Equipment __9,323,710 __9,951,436

Other AssetsNotes Receivable 728Mortgage Notes Receivable 3,875 9,819Investments _15,091,952 __12,533,135

Total Other Assets _15,096,555 __12,542,954

Total Assets $ _26,657,346 $ __23,879,299

Liabilities and Net AssetsCurrent Liabilities Accounts Payable $ 86,777 $ 112,051 Accrued Payroll 41,404 43,058 Grant Payable - Current Portion ___11,666 ___11,666

Total Current Liabilities __139,847 __166,775

Long-Term Liabilities Grant Payable _______- ___11,666

Total Liabilities _139,847 __178,441

Net Assets Unrestricted 1,714,656 869,423 Unrestricted Net Assets-Designated for Fixed Assets 9,323,710 9,951,436 Unrestricted Net Assets-Designated for Investments 15,091,952 12,533,135 Temporarily Restricted 201,082 168,527 Permanently Restricted ____186,099 ___178,337

Total Net Assets __26,517,499 _23,700,858

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ __26,657,346 $ __23,879,299

Sri Venkateswara Temple Statement of Activities

For the Year Ended

September 30, 2013

Temporarily Permanently Total Operating Restricted Restricted Revenue: Donations $ 2,737,866 $ 47,019 $ 7,762 $ 2,792,647 Religious Items 959,586 - - 959,586 Temple Activities 99,017 - - 99,017 Net Assets Released from Restrictions ___18,062 _(18,062) _____- ________-

Total Revenue _3,814,531 __28,957 __7,762 _3,851,250

Expenses: Scholarships 16,350 - - 16,350 Executive Committee 635,331 - - 635,331 Special Projects 100,469 - - 100,469 Staff Expenses 810,627 - - 810,627 Overhead 776,637 - - 776,637 Depreciation __705,879 _______- ________- __705,879Total Expenditures _3,045,293 _______- ________- _3,045,293

Other Revenues and Expenses Interest and Dividends 402,215 1,684 - 403,899 Gains/Losses on Investments _1,604,871 __1,914 _________- _1,606,785

Total Other Revenue _2,007,086 __3,598 _________- _2,010,684

Change in Net Assets 2,776,324 32,555 7,762 2,816,641

Beginning Net Assets _23,353,994 __168,527 ___178,337 _23,700,858

Ending Net Assets $ _26,130,318 $ __201,082 $ ___186,099 $ _26,517,499

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Sri Venkateswara Temple Statements of Cash Flows

September 30, 2013 and 2012

2013 2012Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Change in Net Assets $ 2,816,641 2,901,050

Adjustment to reconcile Increase in Net Assets to Net Cash Provided:

Depreciation 705,879 705,708Increase in Accounts Receivable (730) -(Increase)Increase in Prepaids (22) 4,474Decrease in Accounts Payable (25,275) 27,963(Increase)Decrease in Inventory 11,866 (30,931)Decrease in Accrued Liabilities (1,650) 7,061Increase in Grants Payable ___(11,668) ___(11,668)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities __3,495,041 __3,603,657

Cash Flows from Investing ActivitiesMortgage Note Receivable 5,944 20,653Employee Loans 8,044 (13,451)Fixed Assets (75,252) (335,262)Construction In Progress (2,900) (157,923)Investment (2,558,817) __(2,417,413)

Net Cash Provided(Used) by Investing Activities (2,622,981) __(2,903,396)

Net Increase(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents 872,060 700,261

Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents ___1,306,423 _____606,162

Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 2,178,483 $ 1,306,423

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

Interest Paid During the Year $ - $ -Taxes Paid During the Year $ - $ -

Donations

General Donation - Fund activities as determined by management.................. _______

Swarna Peetam for Utsava Murthys & Vahanas for Brahmotsavam............. _______

Endowment for Education - Fund scholarships, educational loans, etc........... _______

Prasadam Donation - Annadanam during special occasions during the year. _______

Religious Fund - Flowers, tulasi mala and other supplies required for religious services.............................................................................................................. _______

Construction and Maintenance Fund - New construction on Temple property, general repairs, repairs prior to religious functions such as Kumbhabhishekam and landscaping around Temple properties........................ _______

Humanitarian Fund - Donations to needed organizations in India and USA.. _______

Abhishekam or Pūlangi Seva*......................................................................................... $101.00

i) Śrī Venkațeśwara: All Sundays, ii) Śrī Ganeśa- 1st Saturday, iii) Śrī Lakshmi-2nd

Saturday, iv) Śrī Āndāl -3rd Saturday, v) Śrī Āňjaneya (with vada Māla) -4th Saturday & vi) Śrī Sudarśana -5th Saturday ($101 Each)

Annadanam/Pongal $ 35.00 Archana (Śrī Venkațeśwara, Śrī Ganesa, Śrī Lakshmi, Śrī Āndāl or

Śrī Āňjaneya)...................................................................................................................... $ 8.00 each

Kalyāna Utsavam................................................................................................................ $ 51.00

Muthangi Seva*.................................................................................................................. $ 51.00

Nitya Seva (Abhishekam, Kalyāna Utsavam, Satyanārāyana Pūja, Sahasranāma

Archanās for Śrī Lakshmi & Śrī Venkațeśwara, and Sayanotsavam)................................. $ 151.00

Rathotsavam or Teppotsavam*..................................................................................... $ 101.00

Sahasranama Archana (Śrī Lakshmi, Śrī Venkațeśwaraor Śrī Ganeśa **)................. $15.00 each

Satyanārāyana Pūja .......................................................................................................... $ 51.00

Ekantha Seva....................................................................................................................... $ 15.00

Swarna Puspha Archana* ............................................................................................... $ 51.00

Vāhana Seva* (Garuda, Gaja, Ashwa, Shesha etc.)................................................. $ 51.00

Brahmotsavam (All Vahana Sevas)............................................................................... $251.00

Vasanthotsavam*(All Vahana Sevas)........................................................................... $151.00

Pavithrotsavam *................................................................................................................ $151.00

•Please check with the Temple Office for Dates ** Only once every month on Sankatahara Chaturthi

SRI VENKATESWARA TEMPLE Pittsburgh, PA

Puja Sponsorship/Donation Form

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Control Number (if known)_______________________________________________

Last/Family Name: ______________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Phone/Email: ____________________________________________________________

Old Address, if moved: ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Gotram: ________________________________________________________________

Names for whom sponsored Nakshatram

_______________________________ ________________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

Name of Puja Date/s of Puja

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

_______________________________ _______________________________

_______________________________ ________________________________

Bequest: The temple is actively pursuing engagement with its donor base towards developing a process of "Planned Giving" as part of the donor's estate planning process.The temple herewith request the donors that are interested in pursuing "Planned Giving" to the temple to get in touch with the temple office, to be able to expand this further to suit specific individual situations.

Please make checks payable to S.V. Temple, and mail to:

P.O. Box 17280, Pittsburgh, PA 15235Temple Tax ID: 25-1307095

website: www.svtemple.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORSAshok Sarpeshkar ChairmanRajasekhar Gudapati SecretaryG.K. Balasubramani TreasurerUsha Gumpalli Vice ChairmanJayasheela Murthy Joint SecretaryJayashree Rao Joint Treasurer

Priya Abiraman Shankar Basa P. Balakumar Prasad DabbalaArwind Koimattur Leelavati MurthyMurali Muruguswamy Ranga ReddySaraswathy VasudevanPrabhanand Yedla President of EC

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPrabhanand Yedla PresidentB.S. Nanjundappa Vice PresidentN.S. Srinivasa Associate SecretaryArundhati Mandava Associate Treasurer

Asha BashyamSaraswathi ChannapatiMurty HariSudha Krishnasamy Babu Narayan Usha RaghuShobha Rao SHK ReddyChandra Sekhar Venkataraman SundararamanMurali Tumuluru Rajasekhar Gudapati Secretary of BoardG.K. Balasubramani Treasurer of Board

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Page 9: December 2014 - S. V. Temple · Srī Annamāchārya, Sri Purandara Dasa, Sri Azhwars as well as Swathi Thirunal were celebrated, with renowned artists performing. Upcoming artists

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