GO Green Drive

The Go Green drive held jointly by Utkal Samaj with Rotary Club, Hadapsar was held on September 20 2009. The purpose of the drive was to plant trees on the Shree Shree Jagannath temple site. The planting of trees had to carefully planned, as each tree was selected for a particular temple. The long term benefit of increased water level by planting trees, along with the beautification of the land, seemed to drive everyone to participate. The plantation was followed by a delicious Lunch.



Utkal Samaj THANKS the Rotary club of Hadapsar to spend the Sunday morning by the whole hearted participating in kind and spirit for the "Go Green Drive".

Jagannath Temple Work has started!

The work at the Jagannath temple has started! Yes! It has. The excavation work started on August 14th. Utkal Samaj blog site will now bring weekly updates on the progress of the the construction work.

For those who believe in seeing than hearing, here are some pictures! And please please do visit the temple construction site to get the feeling of what is being built.

We know that you are also willing to contribute. On how you can, please call 9823252848, Utkal Samaj number.

We are now in a drive to collect funds. Please do contribute generously so that we all can have the temple constructed as soon as possible.

A very high level plan is to now have the temporary temple built, while the main temple work will take place in parallel. The main temple (whose details will be posted soon), will take about 7 to 10 years to build. In the meanwhile the temporary temple will function.

For more details please call 9823252848, Utkal Samaj number. or email utkalsamajpune@gmail.com

Ganesh Puja - Cancelled

The Ganesh Puja that was planned to be held on Aug-23 has been cancelled. With the spread of swine flu, large gathering needed to be avoided, and hence this Puja function has been cancelled. We understand that so many Oriyas and others were so excited to attend the function, as we in Utkal Samaj were, but if this is was the wish of Lord Ganesh, we go by it.

Swine flu link (India Government website) : http://india.gov.in/citizen/health/h1n1.php

Utkal Samaj Minutes of Meeting - July 05 2009

After the Jagannath Temple puja in April, there has been no activities on the temple land. It was urged to members to involve themselves in activities which would help in expediting the construction work.

The target date of the temporary temple is October end. To achieve this, and to kick start the construction of the Main Temple, the following points were discussed.

• Creation of the trust : The Jagannath Temple Trust has to be created before beginning any activity. Dr L.K Tripathy read a draft version of the trust. The final version of the trust will be shared once it is reviewed by Shri N Mahapatro.
• Main vision: One of the additions that was suggested was that the puja conducted in the Jagannath temple would be as per the Puri Temple rituals.
• Timeline for Trust: The trust registration needs to be completed within one month. Dr L.K Tripathy to follow up on this matter.
• Trustee members: The maximum number of trustees can be 15. Hence, it was decided that the about 5 members from Utkal Samaj would be included as trustees. These members need to contribute significant amount of their time towards the construction of temple. Another 5 trustees would be prominent and eminent Oriyas in Pune, who could bring in significant amount of financial and other help towards the construction of the temple. The remaining 5 members would be from the land donors and other donors (ie temple construction / land / material contributors) or anyone who the Land Owner wishes to include.
• Utkal Samaj members who would be trustees: Shri Ajay Mohanty, Shri Sisir Mahapatra and Shri Amulya Kumar Bal.
• Eminent Oriyas who could be approached are Shri Kailash Mishra, Shri Ravindra Behera, Shri Bhujbal, Shri Achyuta Samant.
• Temple founding members: Other Utkal Samaj members and others who can contribute Rs 1 Lakh or more would be termed as Founding Members. Any member who has also significantly contributed towards the cause of the construction of the temple would also qualify as founding member.
• Temple members: any other person who donates an amount (yet to be finalised) would be a member of the temple. Benefits to founding members and members would be decided later.
• Brochure and hand outs: Once the trustee members are decided, the temple architects would finalize the plans, and would create a brochure of the temple.
• The temple land excavation work would begin from Thursday, July 9th.

Ganesh Puja plans were also discussed.

• Puja money to be collected will be RS 200/- for family (4 members) and Rs 100/- for Single/Bachelors. Rs 50/- would go towards the construction of the Jagannath temple. However, participants would be encouraged to donate more.
• Money collected for the function would be handed over to Shri Sisri Mohapatra, who would be the new treasurer for Utkal Samaj Pune.
• Shridhar Sahoo and Krishna Rath would be in charge of the cultural activities and also on spot fund collection.
• The Puja would be held in the morning and should finish by 11 PM following which a cultural program would be held. Lunch will follow the cultural program.

Jagannath temple Website

With the launch of the Sri Sri Jagannath temple website at www.punejagannath.com, it is now possible for the devotees to access and know any information about the temple. Designed and promoted by Sri Sisir Mahapatra, this website will have details about the temple progress and also list any Oriya Cultural festival or event that is scheduled to held in and around Pune.

The website is building up and we would , as always, expect any suggestion and support to ensure that the devotees of Lord Jagannath can have presense of the Lord at Pune!

Invitation - Oriya Cultural Program & Jagannath Temple Bhumipuja - Utkal Samaj Pune

Please click the below images for larger picture

Directions for reaching Jagannath Temple:

1. From Magarpatta junction move towards Hadapsar. After crossing Vaibhav Theatre (on the right) do not go on the flyover, keep left and after about 100 meters prepare to turn right.

2. After turning right, enter into Hadapsar Market road. Keep going straight

3. After approx 1 km, cross the railway crossing and take the right road.

4. Keep travelling straight crossing Hadapsar, Mohammedwadi, Corianthian Club reaching Undri Toll Naaka.  (8 kms)

5. Take the road adjecent to the Toll Naaka road, travel about 2 kms reaching "kacha road". There would be signboards on the way indicating the direction to reach the temple plot.

RSVP

Utkal Samaj Pune

9823252848

Also Contact:

D Bahalia: 9860073654

K Rath: 9922943372

Sridhar Sahoo : 9823234342

Maa Saraswati Puja

Maa Saraswati Puja held at Junior Staff Club, Range Hills, Pune, was a phenomenal success. Here is a video clip from the puja. Stay tuned for more details and photos.