A Hindu-Jain temple serving the Greater Philadelphia region is set to donate $100,000 to support relief and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by the recent disaster in Nepal.
Bharatiya Temple will present the ceremonial check to Sewa International, a humanitarian nonprofit organization, on Saturday, Sept. 19, during the Philadelphia Ganesh Festival.
The check presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time at Bharatiya Temple in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania.
The funds were raised during a multi-faith prayer gathering held at the temple on September 3. Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Christian faith and community leaders came together for the gathering in prayer and solidarity with the people of Nepal.
According to the temple, the gathering “raised approximately $100,000 for Nepal relief and rehabilitation efforts.”
The funds will be presented to Sewa International, which will use the donation for its relief and rehabilitation efforts in Nepal.
The September 3 gathering brought together leaders from different faith communities at a time when disaster relief has also become a point of connection for the broader community.
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The temple described the effort as part of the Greater Philadelphia Hindu community’s “longstanding tradition of supporting humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts both in the United States and around the world.”
That history includes community support for relief efforts following the Kargil conflict, the September 11 attacks, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Gujarat earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, the Nepal earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $100,000 donation will be presented during the Philadelphia Ganesh Festival, which is being organized by Bharatiya Temple in collaboration with Indian community organizations from across the Greater Philadelphia region.
The festival, now in its 22nd year, is being held from Sept. 14 through Sept. 25, bringing together thousands of community members for religious and cultural celebrations, music, dance and community service.
The temple said the festival “brings together thousands of community members to celebrate Indian religious traditions, culture, music, dance, and community service.”
September 19 will also feature Outdoor IndiaFest, with religious, cultural, civic and community leaders expected to take part in the day’s activities.
Along with the Nepal relief check presentation, the day’s programming will include Shri Ganesh Maha Abhishekam, Children’s Ganesh Puja and the daily Rajopchar Aarti of Lord Ganesha.
The cultural program will feature the Ganrang Dance Competition, Rajasthani folk music by visiting artists from Rajasthan and a Bharatanatyam recital by Guru Shweta Prachande.
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A Kathak dance drama by Mumbai-based artist Aditi Bhagwat from Mumbai will also be presented in support of the Support a Child charity. The evening will feature a Bollywood orchestra by Kalamanch as a tribute to legendary singer Asha Bhosle.
The program will also include a special Shehnai presentation by Pandit Lokesh Anand for Lord Ganesha.
For the Greater Philadelphia Indian American community, the Sept. 19 event will bring together cultural celebration and humanitarian support, with the Nepal donation serving as one of the day’s central moments.
Members of the media have been invited to attend the check presentation, meet participating faith and community leaders and cover the Philadelphia Ganesh Festival.
The event will take place at Bharatiya Temple, 1612 County Line Road, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania 18936. The check presentation is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, Sept. 19.