Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQ will provide brief answers to many frequently asked questions by the community members. For more details and/or any other question, please contact members of the Executive Committee.

Mission

Q. What is the mission of the HCV?

A. The mission of the HCV is:

To promote the teachings and discussions of the religious and cultural heritage of Hinduism; To organize and practice activities of value and interest to the Hindu community; To initiate and obtain contacts with similar centers in and outside the U.S.; To facilitate and support community outreach efforts.

Pooja Sponsorship

Q. How can I sponsor a pooja: a) at the temple b) at my residence?

A. (a) To sponsor a pooja at the temple, contact the Religious Director, Sudhir Jain (754-2755) or Priest Subramanyam Kannan (672-2254). All community members are urged to sponsor any Sunday pooja at the temple. A sign- up sheet is posted in the lobby. Write your name and phone number for the Sunday of your choice, and also confirm the same with the Religious Director. Many devotees celebrate their family's special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversary, graduation etc. by sponsoring a pooja at the temple. Please decide early and sign-up for that special Sunday. Co-sponsoring are encouraged when a specific Sunday is already has a sponsor.

(b) To conduct a pooja at your residence contact priest Subramanyam Kannan either at the temple (346-9954) or at his residence (672-2254).

Q. What are the rights and responsibilities of a person sponsoring a pooja at the temple?

A. All community members are encouraged to sponsor any temple pooja. Sponsors provide the pooja material, prasad (one sweet and fruits) and food. Sponsors must arrive at the temple by 11:00 am or earlier if they need to cook that morning. Food Committee members assist the sponsors in the kitchen with the distribution of prasad and/or food and the clean up of the kitchen and hall. All paper supplies are provided by the temple. It is

extremely important to follow safety instructions posted in the kitchen. NO CHILDREN ALLOWED IN THE KITCHEN WHILE COOKING for their own safety.

It is the sponsor’s responsibility to ensure that the kitchen, lobby and hall are left clean after the prasad and food distribution. All garbage bags should be removed from the lobby and properly disposed off in the parking lot garbage bin. For more details contact the Religious Director Sudhir Jain (754-2755) or Adish Jain (360-3925).

Q. Why is there a charge for the food that is served as Prasad?

A. There is a no charge for prasad and food for regular Sunday pooja’s. On certain Sunday’s there may be a $3.00 charge for food for special pooja’s or major pooja’s as established by the Executive Committee.

Q. What if I do not want that people should be charged for food at the pooja I sponsor?

A. In some cases even for special pooja’s or major pooja’s as established by the Executive Committee, the $3.00 food charge can be waived, provided the sponsors donate $500.00 in lieu of a charge to the devotees. The revenue such generated is used to meet various temple-related expenses.

Membership

Q. Why should I become a member, and what does the membership do for me?

A. The most important reason to become a member is to be a part of the temple family, and to feel pride in sharing in the expenses of running the temple. In the course of a year, a lot of expenses are incurred to run the temple. It is a good feeling to know that one is sharing in this. Secondly, as a member you have the ability to participate in the decision-making process to run the temple. Thirdly, members are offered discounted rates for hall rental, educational classes, library and other fees. Overall, benefits of having the membership are worth more than the dues paid for it.

Q. What are the different levels of membership that the HCV offers?

A. There are four levels of membership: (a) Regular Membership: Open to all community members who subscribe to the objectives of the HCV. Regular members are eligible to be nominated to some roles in the Executive Committee. The annual membership fee currently is $51 per calendar year for a family.

(b) Life Membership: The fee for Life Membership is $1,000 per person. Life Members are eligible to be nominated to voting positions in the Executive Committee. The spouse will become a life member for an additional $1.

(c) Corporate Membership: Members who have held Life Membership for at least three years can be nominated to become Corporate Members. Nominees will have provided substantial service to the Center, and be active participants in all HCV activities. Nominees will be on the ballot for election by the Corporate Body at its annual meeting. Nominees receiving at least 4/5 of the votes will become Corporate Members. Corporate Members are eligible to be nominated for all voting positions in the Executive Committee. Dues are $101 for a couple per calendar year.

(d) Honorary Membership: Conferred upon distinguished individuals over the age of 65, who have made special contributions to the HCV. For more details, contact Membership Committee – Harindran Theruvath (744-8578), Bina Shah (527-6564) or Rakesh Chug (762-8532).

Q. Do I have to be a member to visit the HCV?

A. No. The Center is open to all. It is a place of worship, and no membership is required to visit. It is a non-profit organization, and its doors are open for every one having regard and respect for Hinduism, irrespective of caste, religion or race. Visitors are requested to abide by the rules of the Center: cell phones should be turned OFF, please observe silence and follow the proper dress code. There should be no disturbance during the services and programs of the Center.

Hall Rental

Q. How can I rent the Center hall?

A. The hall will be rented in accordance with the rental policy of the Center. It can be rented only during such times when it is not being used for a pooja or other Hindu Center related activities. Members of the Center rent it at a discounted rate. For further details on fees, policy and booking schedule, contact the Operation Committee (Rental), Venkat Chettiar (346-8238).

Community Involvement

Q. I would like to get more involved with the HCV. How can I do that?

A. The temple needs volunteers throughout the year for various religions, cultural, cleaning and many other tasks. Contact Volunteer Committee Director, Badri Pulavarthi (306-1494) and indicate your area of interest.

Q. I have some good suggestions about improving the HCV. How do I convey my ideas to get them implemented?

A. Ideas and/or Suggestions are always welcome.

If you have one, please drop it in the suggestion box or email it to the Secretary, Vijay Ramnarain: secretary@hinducenterofvirginia.org and/or the President, Adish Jain: president@hinducenterofvirginia.org. Also, you can submit ideas/ suggestions via Center’s website.

Q. How is the Hindu Center managed?

A. The Center is managed by two units: the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. The Board of Trustees, a policy making body is responsible for the long-term activities, fund-raising, health and viability of the Center. The Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Center, and executes the policies. The Center is governed by its Constitution and the By-Laws approved by the corporate body.

Q. Where can I learn about the Center's constitution and by-laws?

A. There are five copies of the constitution and by-laws in the Center's library. Interested readers can get them issued to learn more about them. You can also contact our Center Secretary, Vijay Ramnarain (674-5054).

Q. Is there a membership vote on issues that affect the entire community?

A. Corporate body meetings and general body meetings are held annually. Major issues are discussed and voted upon by the corporate members at these meetings.

Q. How does the Executive Committee make decisions?

A. The Executive Committee meets once a month to discuss issues that are on the agenda. The Committee discusses the issues at length and makes decisions based on the merits of each case. If you have a suggestion, drop it in the Suggestion Box located in the lobby or send it to the Secretary and/or President in writing. You may also submit suggestions via the website.

Q. How is the money spent in the temple, and is the financial statement of the temple published? If yes, how often?

A. The annual report of the temple contains the financial information (income and expense statements). A balance sheet is also provided. The report is available from the Treasurer. For details, contact the Treasurer, Brij Mago (271-0248 or bmago@comcast.net).

Q. Why do we spend so much on our newsletter? Can't this be done more cost effectively by using technology i.e. internet, less expensive paper etc?

A. We are always trying to publish Bharatvani in the most cost effective way, as practically can be done. For any suggestions, please contact the Publication Co-Director, Muthu Veerappan: smvee@hotmail.com

Future Expansion

Q. Why has the temple not changed much in the past several years? Are there any future expansion plans?

The HCV was built in 1988 to serve the religious, cultural and educational needs of the community. As of September 2007, a Fund Raising & Expansion Committee is aggressively working on approving contracts to build a new Temple at our Hindu Center property. The designs and preliminary plans have mostly been approved. A new Temple Initiation Ceremony will be held in a grand way on September 15 & 16, 2007 along with the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. If everything works out as planned, we should have a new huge Temple that the community will be proud of by the later part of 2008.

General

Q. What are the temple opening hours?

A. Temple timings are posted at the main door, and also published in Bharatvani:

Mon - Fri: 7:00 am -9:00 am; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm; Sat - Sun: 11:00 am-1:00 pm. The Temple is open at other times also for any scheduled poojas or spiritual discourses. Please check the monthly newsletter regularly.

Q. Will there be a Hindu Temple sign, and an Indian flag at the temple entrance? When?

A. As of September 2007, a new permanent beautiful sign and entrance gate have been installed at the Hindu Center. Flying the Indian flag on the main entrance raises many issues, and hence we are not planning to do that at this time.

Q. Is there a recommended dress code to visit the temple? What happens if I do not follow the dress code?

A. All devotees are expected to be in proper attire while visiting the temple. Adults (15 years and above) are requested not to wear shorts while visiting the pooja hall. If someone is not appropriately dressed they could be respectfully asked to leave.

Parents are requested not to let their children run around on the stage and the pooja hall. Silence has to be maintained during pooja hours.

Note: If you have any further question, please submit it in the Suggestion Box or send it to the Secretary, Vijay Ramnarain: secretary@hinducenterofvirginia.org, and/or the President, Adish Jain: president@hinducenterofvirginia.org of the Hindu Center, or via the web address www.HinduCenterOfVirginia.Org.

Thank you for visiting the Hindu Center of Virginia.