Introduction: This document provides the necessary information for the sponsors of the monthly pooja or bhajan. If any one wants to sponsor a monthly pooja please feel free to contract any SMS Executive Committee members. The monthly pooja can be sponsored by one family or co-sponsored by two families as far as both families are in agreement.

Venue: The monthly pooja takes place at the Calgary Hindu Temple at 2225 - 24th Avenue NE, Calgary.

Date: The dates for the poojas are fixed according to a yearly schedule. The pooja falls on a Saturday to avoid conflict with the Hindu Temple's Sunday pooja.

Time: The Bhajan starts at 5pm and finished by 6pm. The sponsors must be present at the Temple by 4 pm to help with setting up the Altar in the main floor and arrange.

Pooja: The sponsors are responsible for aranging the Punditji / Iyer for the pooja. If the sponsors with to conduct the pooja by themselves, it is also allowed. If you are requesting the Punditji to perform the pooja, please ensure that he is present at the Temple by 5:45pm and inform him to complete the pooja within 20 minutes.

Bhajan: Monthly bhajans are arranged by the SMS Bhajan Coordinator. The bhajans follow a certain format and all lead singers are arranged well in advance. If the sponsors want to include any special bhajan for their pooja, please contact the Bhajan Coordinator two weeks prior to the pooja.

Pooja: For the pooja, the sponsors need to bring the following main items:

• Pongal (sakari / sweet pongal)
• Fruits
• A cup of warm milk (can be warmed up in the Temple).
• Flowers

Any additional items of your choosing can be included.

Number of People: SMS expects about 125 - 150 devotees to attend the monthly pooja. The sponsors may feel free to invite their families and friends for the monthly pooja.

Items for Dinner: After the pooja, a pot luck dinner takes place in downstairs dining hall. The sponsors need to bring the following items:

• 150 paper plates
• 150 paper cups
• 100 forks
• 100 spoons
• 2 rolls of paper towels
• 100 serviettes
• 1 bag (5 kg) Basmati rice (SMS's rice cooker will be used)
• 1 bag of percolator coffee (SMS's coffee maker will be used)
• 1 bag (1 kg) sugar
• 2 Litres of milk

Food items: 1-2 main curries - Sambar, dhal and/or any vegetable curries.

Please feel free to get support from friends and families. Sponsors can expect that some devotees also bring food items to reduce the burden on the sponsors.




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