Temple Blog

KRISHNA - EK ANOKHA NRIYAVISHKAR(A Fundraiser event)29th August 2026 | Saturday | 6:00pm - 8:30pm🌸✨ The Hindu Temple of Central Indiana ✨🌸warmly invites you to its special fundraiser presentation:Krishna – Ek Anokha NrityavishkarA dance drama by Sharayu Nritya KalamandirPresented in collaboration with our community partners Swar Indy | Nrityangan Kathak Inc. | Nupoor School of KathakLink: https://myapp.htci.org/serviceopen?g=138&dt=2026-09-29This is more than just a one-of-a-kind dance drama depicting the timeless life and leelas of Lord Krishna 🦚🙏It is an opportunity to experience, learn, and be inspired through the beauty of kathakIn addition to the spectacular performance, workshop participants can choose from three engaging streams designed for Beginners, Intermediate dancers, and those who wish to explore the expressive art of Kathak. Whether you’re taking your very first dance steps, refining your Kathak technique, discovering the beauty of storytelling through dance, or learning choreography to a favorite romantic song, there is something for everyone.Join us in celebrating the spirit of Krishna through the universal language of dance while supporting HTCI’s mission to serve our community. 🌺📞 For more information:Sanjay Vinze 3175174392KP  3172585356Priyesh Kheradia 3179669033Rishma Chauhan 3179910575Tejas Hajirnis 8642700571

Dear Devotees, Patrons, and Visitors, We are delighted to welcome you to our Hindu Temple. To ensure a safe, respectful, and meaningful experience for you and your family, please review the following important Temple policy, safety and risk-awareness guidelines. Voluntary Participation Participation in Temple pujas, events and other activities is voluntary. Please take part only in activities appropriate for your health, age, and physical condition. If you or a family member is unwell or unable to participate safely, please refrain from participating. General Event Risks As with any public gathering, attendance involves inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to, illness, slips and falls, crowd dynamics, adverse weather, traffic or parking accidents, and unforeseen emergencies such as natural or man-made disasters. Individuals are encouraged to exercise good judgment and take reasonable care for their own safety and that of their families. Minors, Elders, and Family MembersParents, guardians, and family members are responsible for supervising minors, elders, and others in their care during the convention. Please ensure that children and family members participate only in activities suitable for them.Photo and Video Notice Individuals are NOT allowed to take photographs, videos, or recordings inside the Worship Hall. The Temple may record photos or videos for promotional, archival, and organizational purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, please notify the Front Desk or Temple Management, and reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate your request. Emergency and Safety Cooperation Please follow Temple rules, posted signs, and instructions from Temple Management, Temple staff, volunteers and emergency personnel. If you notice a safety concern, immediately inform Temple staff or volunteers. Facility Rules No firearms or sharp weapons No pets (service dogs permitted) No smoking, vaping, alcohol, or drugs No drones or aerial photography on Temple premises Camera monitoring is enforced - Security cameras in use Parking not allowed after Temple hours - vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense Conduct & BehaviorKeep mobile phones on silentMaintain silence or speak softlyRespectful conduct expected at all timesBe kind and respectful to our Temple staff, volunteers and to the fellow Individuals Children must remain with an adult - Do not leave child unattended Do not touch the deities or sanctum Respectful Conduct Toward Temple Staff & Volunteers To maintain a peaceful and respectful Temple environment: Individuals must treat all priests, staff, and volunteers with courtesy and respect at all timesIndividuals must not confront, argue with, intimidate, harass, or verbally abuse Temple personnelStaff, priests, and volunteers must not be pressured or criticized regarding Temple schedules, rituals, procedures, or the manner in which ceremonies are conductedAny concerns, complaints, or suggestions must be directed only to Temple Management, not to individual staff, priests, or volunteers Spreading misinformation, insulting, or bad-mouthing Temple personnel is strictly prohibited Harassing behavior in person, by phone, electronically, or through social media may result in immediate removal from Temple premises and temporary or permanent restriction from Temple activities Temple personnel perform their duties under Temple Management and established religious traditions. Homemade or store-bought Prasad Policy Homemade or store-bought prasad may NOT be distributed to Individuals Prasad is allowed only for personal family use Food PolicyOutside food, snacks or drinks are not allowed inside the temple. Only strictly satvik food is permitted inside the temple. Dress Code Traditional Hindu attire encouraged. All clothing must be modest and respectful. Not Allowed: sleeveless or low-cut tops; tank tops; shorts, skirts, or dresses above knee length; clothing revealing shoulders, chest, back, or knees; clothing with offensive language or imagery Footwear Shoes, sandals, and boots must be left in the designated shoe racks outside the worship hall. Acceptance of Terms Your visit to the Temple constitutes automatic acceptance of the above terms. No separate signed agreement is required. We request all Individuals to help us maintain a safe, respectful and spiritually focused atmosphere for everyone. Temple Management reserves the right to remove any Individuals or volunteers who do not follow Temple policies and may restrict future entry if necessary.

From Pillar to Presence: The Roar that Protected Devotion By: Sharmila Sanka There are moments in creation when the Divine does not merely bless, it erupts to restore balance. The incarnation of Lord Narasimha stands as one such unparalleled moment, where divinity took a form never seen before, to destroy the wicked and protect unwavering devotion. The tyrant king Hiranyakasipa, driven by insatiable greed and a relentless desire for immortality, performed severe penance, and secured powerful boons. Armed with these protections, he believed he had conquered death itself. His arrogance grew boundless. He defied the cosmic order, forbade the worship of Lord Narayana, and demanded that all revere him as supreme. Yet, within his own palace lived a quiet revolution-his son, Prahlada. Prahlada, untouched by ego or fear, was immersed in the divine name of Sri Hari. No teacher had instructed him; no circumstance had influenced him. His devotion flowed naturally, as though every cell in his being resonated with Narayana. Despite repeated warnings, and punishments from his father, Prahlada remained steadfast. His faith was not defiance; it was truth. “How can one harm the one who lives in God?” “How can fear enter a heart where the Divine resides?” Time and again, as Hiranyakasipa subjected Prahlada to unbearable trials, an unseen force protected the child. That force was none other than Sri Hari Himself, responding not to ritual, but to pure, unshaken devotion. In a final confrontation, Hiranyakasipa, consumed by rage, challenged Prahlada’s belief in Sri Hari's omnipresence. Pointing to a pillar, he demanded, “Is your Hari present here too?” With unflinching conviction, Prahlada replied, “Yes.” In that very instant, the king struck the pillar and what followed was not just a revelation, but a cosmic declaration. From within the pillar emerged a form that transcended all definitions—a being neither man nor beast. With the face of a lion and the body of a human, Lord Narasimha manifested-fierce, radiant, and unstoppable. At twilight, neither day nor night On the threshold, neither indoors nor outdoors With no weapon, but His own nails Neither human nor animal In perfect alignment with the boon’s conditions, Narasimha destroyed Hiranyakasipa, tearing apart not just a body but the very illusion of invincibility born of ego. Yet, even after the demon was vanquished, the intensity of Narasimha’s form shook the universe. The devas trembled, and even Goddess Lakshmi hesitated to approach Him. The fury was not mere anger. It was the cosmic force of righteousness unleashed. Who, then, could calm the Lord? Only the one for whom He came. Prahlada, the child-devotee, approached Narasimha with folded hands and a heart overflowing with love. With a series of heartfelt prayers as described in the Bhagavata Purana, he did not seek to pacify the fierce protector, but lovingly awakened the compassionate Lord within. Ugram Vīram Mahāviṣṇum Jvalantam Sarvato Mukham Nṛsiṁham Bhīṣaṇam Bhadram Mṛtyor Mṛtyum Namāmyaham “I bow to Lord Narasimha-fierce, heroic, and all-pervading; the blazing one who protects from all directions; the terrifying yet auspicious Lord who is the destroyer of death itself.” It was his pure devotion, humility, and surrender that transformed the Lord’s fierce form into compassion. And in that moment, the roar softened into grace. Narasimha’s eyes filled with affection, His expression transformed into serenity, and He lifted Prahlada onto His lap granting him blessings beyond measure. The Divine, who had appeared in unimaginable ferocity, now revealed His boundless tenderness. Since that sacred moment, Lord Narasimha has been worshipped as the remover of deep-seated fears, protector against unseen adversities, and the embodiment of divine justice. Participating in or performing the Narasimha Homam is believed to invoke His grace bringing peace, protection, and prosperity. But beyond the ritual lies a deeper message. The Avatar does not descend merely to destroy evil but to awaken humanity. To remind us that devotion, when pure and unwavering, becomes a force that even the Divine responds to. That the Divine is not distant but present, in every pillar, every breath, every heartbeat. Prahlada did not just witness God. He lived God. And Narasimha did not just emerge from a pillar. He revealed that the Divine resides everywhere… waiting to manifest when faith calls without fear.

Speaker Panel: on Invitation letter1) A brief glimpse of Vedanta in Vishnu Sahasra Nama (JNANA)by Dr. Prasad Mantravadi.2) The Vishnu Sahasra Nama-An Easy Tool Towards God (BHAKTI)by Sri Natarajan Chandramouli.3) “WORK IS WORSHIP”-The Basic Path for attaining Moksha (KARMA YOGA) by Vedavaradhi Sri C.L. Prabhakar 4) Keynote Address on “EKAM SAT VIPRAHA BAHUDA VADANTI” by Surya Chandra Ananda

🌍 YOGA FOR HEALTH, HAPPINESS, PROSPERITY & GLOBAL PEACE 🧘‍♀️A Transformative Wellness Experience✨ Reconnect • Rejuvenate • Realign ✨Join us for a powerful and holistic yoga program designed to enhance physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and inner peace.🌿 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS🧘‍♂️ Session 1: Yoga Practice (90 Minutes)Gentle Warm-Up & Body PreparationAsana Practice (Strength, Flexibility & Balance)Pranayama (Breathwork for Calm & Focus)Mudra & Bandhas (Energy Activation Techniques)Guided Relaxation & Meditation

We have a very useful and informative panel discussion with leading legal practitioners scheduled at HTCI with curated topics that will address current concerns and anxieties of immigrants. Do not miss this opportunity and invite family/friends and circulate amongst groups and people who would benefit from this very timely presentation.

MAHAVIR JAYANTI: 31st March 2026 | Tuesday On this sacred day, let us honor Lord Mahavir’s teachings of Ahimsa and compassion. May we live by his message of “Live and Let Live”, spreading peace and kindness to all. Jai Jinendra! MAHAVIR JAYANTI CELEBRATIONS: 4th April 2026 | Saturday As we welcome the season of Spring, this year’s Mahavir Jayanti will be observed on Tuesday, March 31st. Our community will come together to celebrate this auspicious occasion on Saturday, April 4th, 2026, at the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana (HTCI). To honor the birth of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami, both the Digamber and Swetambar traditions will hold Prakshal and Pooja ceremonies: Swetambar Snatra Pooja • Preparation starts at 10:00 AM • Pooja begins at 10:30 AM Digamber Pooja/ Prakshal • Begins at 10:00 AM near the Jain section of the temple Following these poojas, we will join together for a combined Aarti and Swami Vatsalya (community meal). Those participating in the Swetambar Vidhi Pooja are welcome to bring: • Fal (fruits) • Navadhya (mithai) • A few flowers Please wear clean pooja attire (clothes that have not been worn while eating). We are also seeking volunteers to assist with setup and arrangements. If you’re available to help, please let us know! We look forward to celebrating together in devotion, peace, and unity. 🙏

Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam: The Divine Union That Blesses Kali Yuga By: Sharmila Sanka In this age of Kali, when the world is filled with uncertainty and the six inner enemies often cloud our thoughts and actions, the greatest refuge is the divine name of Lord Venkateswara, Srinivasa. Holding on to His name brings peace, strength, and clarity in times of confusion. In moments of both material and spiritual poverty, the supreme blessing is the grace of Goddess Padmavathi, the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. Chanting the divine names of Srinivasa and Padmavathi together is itself a great boon in this age of Kali, bestowing peace, prosperity, and inner fulfillment. Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam is the sacred celebration of the divine union of Prakrithi and Purusha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Vishnu, manifesting as Padmavathi and Srinivasa. This celestial wedding represents cosmic harmony, balance, and the sustaining principle of creation itself. In this divine confluence, love becomes eternal, dharma is established, and prosperity and peace flow into the lives of devotees who witness and participate with devotion. The sacred story of Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam is a reminder of divine love and destiny. King Akasa Raja, who had no heirs, once performed a sacred yagna. While preparing the land, his plough revealed a radiant lotus, within which lay a divine child. The king lovingly named her Padmavati, the one born of the lotus. In time, Lord Srinivasa expressed to His mother Vakuladevi that only by marrying Princess Padmavati would His purpose be fulfilled. He revealed her divine origin and His promise from a previous birth to wed her. With divine will and sacred effort, their celestial wedding was performed, a union destined and blessed. Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam is not merely a wedding celebration. It is the sacred union of Prakruthi and Purusha, the coming together of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu in this Kali Yuga. It symbolizes eternal love, harmony, and the balance that sustains life. Witnessing this divine union is believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and harmony in family life, and to remove obstacles in marriage and relationships. When Brahma, Shiva, and all the devas themselves gathered with joy to witness this celestial wedding, should we not feel equally blessed to be part of it? Let us come together with devotion and enthusiasm to participate in the Padmavathi Srinivasa Kalyanam at HTCI. Let us offer our prayers at their divine feet, chant their sacred names, and immerse ourselves in this celebration of grace. In doing so, may we cleanse our hearts, invite divine blessings into our lives, and experience true joy, peace, and fulfillment.

Navagrahas: The Cosmic Guides of Our Inner and Outer Journey Ups and downs, the rise and fall in one’s life, are understood in Vedic astrology as being influenced by the anugraha -grace of the Navagrahas, the nine celestial forces. Moving through the twelve houses at different phases of our lives, these grahas shape our joys and sorrows and influence how we respond to life’s circumstances. More than mere planets, they are subtle cosmic energies that play a profound role in guiding human life and destiny. It is said that when one is blessed with the Lord’s supreme grace, even the Navagrahas cannot disturb one’s life. This is indeed true. But the question is, have we reached that unwavering state of absolute faith and surrender? Until we arrive there, we strive to earn the grace of the Navagrahas so that we may live with peace, health, prosperity, and spiritual progress. Why do we seek the grace of all the grahas? What role do they play in our lives? How do we benefit from their blessings? Who are these Navagrahas? What is that simple yet powerful shloka that invokes all nine celestial forces governing our existence? Adityaya cha Somaya Mangalaya Budhaya cha Guru Shukra Shanibhyas cha Rahave Ketave Namah Aditya (Surya) is the giver of life, health, and vitality. His rays shine endlessly, teaching us the essence of selflessness. His grace is ever available; it is for us to become deserving enough to receive it in abundance. Chandra (Moon) represents the mind. “Chandrama manaso jatah.” The Moon is born of the Cosmic Mind. Our emotions, thoughts, and mental stability are governed by Him. Even the crops we grow and the food we consume are nurtured under His influence. Mangala (Kuja or Mars) embodies energy, strength, and courage, the driving force we need to face the challenges of everyday life. Budha (Mercury) blesses us with intelligence, communication, and discrimination, enabling us to think clearly and make wise decisions. Guru (Jupiter) is the planet of wisdom and knowledge, the remover of ignorance. Even when other grahas are unfavorably placed, Guru’s grace can uplift and protect. Faith in the Guru and surrender to His guidance lead to victory and inner expansion. Shukra (Venus) grants prosperity, comfort, beauty, and the finer joys of life. He governs material well-being and harmonious relationships. Shani (Saturn), often misunderstood, is a compassionate teacher. He refines us through discipline and life lessons. When ego arises, when wealth blinds us, or when we forget humility, Shani gently reminds us. If we remain unaware, those reminders may become stronger. Yet every lesson from Shani ultimately leads to growth and inner maturity. Rahu and Ketu, the shadow grahas, move in an anti-clockwise direction unlike the other seven. Though they do not possess physical form, their influence is profound. Rahu represents desires, ambitions, and worldly attachments. He amplifies cravings and can create confusion, yet also drives growth through experience. Ketu represents detachment, spirituality, and liberation, guiding us inward and reducing our attachment to the material world. Together, they reveal karmic patterns and shape our evolution, Rahu through engagement with the world and Ketu through detachment from it. These cosmic energies exist within us as subtle centers called nava grandhis, reflecting the universe within the human body. When we align ourselves with the Navagrahas outside, we harmonize the energies within. It depends on how we respond to their blessings and life lessons. When we live consciously, learn from our experiences, replace pride with wisdom, serve selflessly, and offer ourselves with humility and reverence, the grace of the Navagrahas naturally flows into our lives. One of the most powerful rituals to earn their grace is by participating in the Navagraha Homam. More than a ritual, it is an opportunity to align with these divine forces through prayer, gratitude, and surrender. Let us do our part with sincerity and devotion. As we offer our prayers, may we gain resilience in challenges, wisdom in our actions, and the strength to walk forward with purpose and spiritual awareness. -by Sharmila Sanka