Date: 1^st November 2007

Respected Elders, Brothers and Sisters,

Jai Ganeshaya Namah!

Welcome to our third newsletter.  On behalf of the management committee and our pujaris I would like to start by wishing you all a happy Diwali, and a prosperous New Year.  May the Lord Krishna fulfil all of your wishes and dreams.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your valued support and participation in the functions held at the temple over the past few months, notably the celebration of Ganesh Utsav and Visarjan Shobha Yatra.  This year Shobha Yatra was celebrated from the temple to the River Aire and had a huge following as well as the support of local councillors, Mr Kabir Hussain and Mr John Illingworth.   

Navratri celebrations this year were extremely well attended even in the absence of a group.  In true Indian spirit this turned out to be a blessing in disguise and an opportunity to discover our local talent who played the music and sang to a very high standard.  The committee and I would like to take this opportunity to also extend our thanks to all the members who helped out at the celebrations ensuring the events ran smoothly.  Due to everybody’s valuable support, this year we have raised nearly £4000 for the temple.

Durga pooja was also held at in community hall thanks to the Durga Pooja committee and was enjoyed by all who were fortunate enough to attend.

The temple facilities have been improved by the completion of the disabled persons’ access ramp to the community hall and it is now fully in use. The small kitchenette next to the ground floor hall is still in the process of completion and when completed will provide a valuable complement to the facilities already in situ.

As you will remember from the previous newsletter the Namaste group are holding events in the community hall and to build on this, venture discussions are taking place to open a luncheon club.  We hope to be able to bring you dates and more details in the near future.

With regards to the redevelopment, we hope to be able to progress with the first phase as soon as possible. I am pleased to announce that we have received verbal assurances from the planning authority that our application is likely to pass without complication.  Architects acting on our behalf (P S Riyat & Associates) have drawn up plans and a copy is displayed at the temple for your perusal. Our construction is approximately 3700 square feet, and will involve a two-story building.  Current estimates of the building cost stand at approximately £80 per square foot, and our anticipated total costs will be in the region of £300,000.  Mandir funds already accumulated will provide around 50% of the costs and we hope the remainder can be easily raised with the help of our 350 member families. If we can raise £500 per family (which in our opinion is not an over ambitious target) we will be able to furnish the kitchen and dining hall to a high standard. Please note we will still have our old community hall to use until we begin the second phase. Please continue to pledge your support to the temple.

Forthcoming events to make a note of are chopda pooja on Friday 9^th November followed by a firework display at 7pm at the temple to celebrate Diwali, and on Saturday 10^th November there will be the ankot at midday at the temple.

On Saturday 17^th November, there will be a celebration of Jalaram Jayanti at the temple followed by bhojan prasadi. 

This year, once again we have been kindly offered the hall of the Grammar School at Leeds to hold our Diwali cultural programme.  The event will be on Sunday 18^th November and tickets priced at £5 per adult and £3.50 for under 16s, OAPs and students.  Please note the ticket prices will include refreshments. Any members who wish to participate in the performances should contact our secretary Mrs Chiragi Solanki as soon as possible.  Part of the funds raised will be donated to Hindu society of the school with the remainder going towards the first phase of the mandir construction project.  Tickets for the Diwali show are available from Village Video (Cardigan Road, Leeds), committee members or direct from the mandir.

On Friday 23^rd November, the Sai group have cordially invited everybody to join in the joyous celebrations of the birthday of Shree Satya Saibaba at our community hall, which will be followed by bhojan prasadi. The function will start promptly at 19.30.

On Saturday 24^th November, there will be a celebration of Tulsi Vivah.  Any members wanting to be Yajmans should contact Amrishbhai or Jagdishbhai to register their interest.

At the time of printing this newsletter, a number of members have still not renewed their membership for the coming year.  The committee urge you to renew it without further delay to show your support and to ensure you continue to receive our newsletters.