Balaji Temple’s annual banquet makes its mark

CHICAGO (IL) — Sri Venkateswara Swami (SVS) Temple (Balaji) located at 1145 Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL celebrated its annual Appreciation Banquet at Waterford Banquet & Conference Center in Elmhurst, IL on October 4.

The evening started with the Social Hour emceed by Dr. Sanjay Rao. Balaji Vidya Pitham students sang a prayer song followed by the national anthems of India and the US.

Dr N S Rao, vice-chairman of SVS Temple, who delivered the welcome speech, said that the temple had been in existence for nearly 30 years ever since it opened its doors to devotees for worship and for participation in social and cultural gatherings.

Chairman Athimoolam Naidu said the temple enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the most beautiful and truly authentic Hindu Temples outside India, and one which was also involved in youth education, cultural activities, summer camps, health fair, Balaji Garden, Yoga and Meditation programs and so on.

He also announced future plans to build additional class rooms, bigger auditorium and a separate dining area which, he said, would require additional funding, and appealed to devotees for their generous support.

A video presentation comprising of temple religious activities during the past year was shown to highlight the authentic manner in which temple priests conduct religious celebrations.

The temple’s new web portal was introduced by Anu Agnihotri on the occasion.

Awards were given to 3 temple volunteers–Anu Agnihotri from Volunteer and Public Relations Committee; Usha Pariti from Cultural Affairs and Banquet Committee and Jayashree Parthasarathy of Youth and Education Committee for their untiring efforts to help with the growth of the organization.

Keynote speaker Vasudha Narayanan, who was introduced by the Religious Committee Chairperson Ranganathan Hemmige, described the role of the temples in society and in promoting Hinduism all over the world.

Panchavadyam (rendered by Chicago Kalakshetra) is an essential part of the Kerala Temple tradition. It consists of five different instruments called Thimila, Maddalam, Eddaka, Kombu and Ilathalam. This melam is considered as a Deva Vadyam, and most of the instruments are played inside the temple.