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Powai Bengali Welfare Association (PBWA), a charitable organization formed with the purpose of enhancing cultural and social harmony, will be organizing its fourth Durga Puja festival – Sarvajanin Durgotsav 2009 – at Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, during September 23rd to 28^th, 2009. The Durgotsav was first organized in 2006 and within a span of just four years, it has emerged as one of the biggest and most popular pujas in Mumbai.

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Nagara Panchami was celebrated with religious fervour at Pancha Kuteer Sri Mahashesha Rundamalini temple, located at Powai, Andheri (East), on Sunday July 27.  The temple is dedicated to the serpent god Naga. Innumerable devotees from all over the metro, arrived to offer puja and prayers on the auspicious occasion of Nagara Panchami.

Temple managing trustee Suvarna Baba led the Vedic rites on the occasion.
A large number of devotees, including bollywood actors, politicians, distinguished entrepreneurs, social workers and police officers, arrived at the temple here, to offer puja to appease the serpent god on Nagara Panchami, on Sunday.

Sourced from: http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=63287&n_tit=Nagara+Panchami+Celebrations+at+Sri+Mahashesha+Rundamalini+Temple,+Powai

Original article sourced from http://pracha2004.blogspot.com/2008/10/durga-pooja-in-powai-goes-green-this.html

This Year’s Pandal Theme – Belur Math

Powai – 28 September 08 :Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav 2008 is being organized during October 4th to 9th, 2008 in a big way. Within a short span of time, it has emerged as one of the biggest and most popular Durgotsav in Mumbai.

Sarvajanin Durgotsav at Powai has won the hearts of Mumbaikers for its uniqueness and sense of community. One of the major and unique attractions the first of its kind in Mumbai is the novel theme “Natmancha” that is constructed every year by master craftsmen. Following up on replicating the famous Dakshineswar Temple and the Lotus Temple, respectively, in the first two years of the Puja, the craftsmen are busy recreating the much venerated Belur Math this year. Approximately 40 artisans & craftsmen are working overtime for the past 45 days to recreate this novel theme structure.

Belur Math is the head quarter of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, twin organizations which form the core of a worldwide spiritual movement aims at the harmony of religions, harmony of the East and the West, harmony of the ancient and the modern, spiritual fulfilment, all-round development of human faculties, social equality, and peace for all humanity, without any distinctions of creed, caste, race or nationality.

It was founded by Sri Ramakrishna’s chief apostle, Swami Vivekananda, one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age, who is regarded as one of the main moulders of the modern world.

The glorious deity of Goddess Durga this time will be adorned with “sholar shaaj.” The other unique attraction of the Powai Puja, again a first of its kind, is the illumination of the Puja venue and the streets in and around Hiranandani Gardens by internationally acclaimed lighting experts from Chandan Nagar. Each year, Mumbaikars are mesmerized by the brilliant theme lighting, the marvelous Puja pandal, and the gorgeous idol, which together help to showcase the socio-cultural platform that the organizers intend to create for the people from all walks of life.

Topping it all, the Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav has become synonymous with the delicious community lunch (bhog) that is served with great enthusiasm on the three main days (Saptami, Ashtami and Navami) of the Puja to tens of thousands of visitors.

In line with the true spirit of the festival, the association has planned various cultural programs to fill the mornings and evenings with high quality entertainment. Along with the evening programs, in line with the ethos of the Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav to involve the community at large in the festivities, various cultural programs are being planned in the morning as well through the “Mukto Mancha” that serves as a platform to showcase the talents of one and all present in the Pandal; extempore, skits, drawing competitions are few of the exciting events planned for the mornings of Saptami, Ashtami and Navami.

The spirit of community will also be amply on display during the “Dhunuchi Naach” competition, an integral component of any Durgotsav celebrations, that brings about every year the enthusiastic participation of a large cross-section of visitors to the Puja premises.

A key initiative of the Durgotsav this year is to take the first steps towards conducting a “Green Puja” to contribute to the larger cause of arresting environmental degradation. Specifically, arrangements are being made to minimize the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable and toxic materials during the Durgotsav.

In keeping with the primary objective of the association that of taking up social initiatives to make a difference where it matters the most the association has initiative called Mission Swayam Siddha (MSS). Its objective is to empower economically and socially disadvantaged women of our society. Its core program is to recruit, train and motivate increasing numbers of women to work for MSS to achieve significant improvements in their overall living standards and social standing in life.

During Durgotsav, the products made by MSS trainees will be exhibited so as to familiarize and reach out to a wider section of people and motivate them to support the noble cause of women empowerment. The association’s commitment to social causes is also evident from the support it provides to several NGOs by inviting them to showcase their activities free of cost during the festivities.

The overwhelming success of the Powai Sarvajanin Durgotsav in such a short period would not have been possible without the active and enthusiastic participation and support of one and all. Like every year, Durgotsav 2008, will be an event to remember for Mumbaikars.

Link: Jain Tours: IIT Powai Jain Temple Celebrating 32nd Anniversary.

IIT Powai Jain Temple Celebrating 32nd Anniversary

By: Pramod Chavan

Powai – 17 February 08 : When we hear the name Powai our mind immediately conjures up images of a the famous IIT, tall and imposing buildings, a beautiful and self sufficient township called Hiranandani Gardens, L&T and many other such aspects which are typically Powai. This bustling suburb of Mumbai houses a population mix of all religions and corresponding to it also as many temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras etc. The Jain Mandir of Powai is celebrating its 32nd Anniversary this year so let’s find out a little about this place of worship in our neighbourhood.

In the year 1972 Jain Guru Vijay Dharam happened to pass through the area of old Powai and being tired started looking around for a place to rest for a while. That was the time he spotted this Jain kutir, he rested there for some time and told the people of Jain samaj present there that there should be a Jain mandir at this place. There were some Jain-Kacchi families who had been living in Powai since more than 45 years took it upon themselves to build a Jain temple there. When the mandir was completed in 1975-76 they installed a statue of Jain Guru Shantinath and marble statues of 7 Gurus especially brought from Rajsthan. The Mandir is made of marble and its walls are adorned with the various religious places of the Jain community.

Presently the Jain Temple and Kacchi Bhavan built over a fairly large area, comprises idols of Adya Guru Shantinath Ki pramukh Pratima and also idols of Parshvnath Swami, Mahavir Swami, Neminath Swami, Vasupuj Swami, Adeshwar Swami, Munisurat Swami. The gates of the temple opens with the first rays of the sun light, early in the morning, and remains open till 12 noon, then it is closed from 12 noon till 4 in the evening and closes its gates finally at 8pm. They have the Swetambar Puja first thing in the morning and the work of the temple begins after that. After this devotees keep pouring in for their daily prayers and blessings.

Another special feature of this Jain Mandir is the four storeyed Kacchi Bhavan which was built as a result of the inspiration of the Jain-Kacchi Acharya. This Kacchi Bhavan was built 9 years back and every day there is some programme or the other for the benefit of the samaj. This Mandir and Kacchi Bhavan is open to everyone but there are some rules and regulations which have to be followed once you enter their premises. These have been laid out to protect the religious sentiments of the community. No edible items are allowed inside the temple, even when there is any programme or puja the Prasad is also supposed to be brought outside the premises and had.

About three years back this Mandir has started a Medical Trust called the Shantinath Medical Trust. All the medical services in this Trust are made available to the general public at the least cost possible. It has been formed for the poor and less fortunate who would other wise not be able to bear the high medical expenses.

In the monsoon they have a variety of programme for eight days during which a number of Jains hold fasts and don’t partake anything except water. They have grand pujas in the Mandir at that time and people from all over participate in it. Besides the Mandirs Anniversary is celebrated every year in a grand way and the flag on top of the dome of the temple is changed. This is called ‘Chadhava’. The Jain community attaches a lot of significance and importance to this ceremony and every year this honour is specially given to different families.

Presently more than 60 Jain families reside in Powai who enjoy the facilities, benifits and the joy of worship at this Temple but besides them families from Chandivali, Mulund, Bhandup, Sakinaka also come here for worship. When the Jain sadhus are traveling they make it a point to stop at this temple and take the blessings of their Gods. The trust of this Mandir is sending out an open invitation to one and all to come and visit the Mandir on the occasion of its 32nd Anniversary.