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Inaugural Charlotte asian Film Festival The Memorial Day weekend saw a novel addition to Charlotte’s cultural landscape with the first-ever film festival with an Asian theme. Creative Yatra and the Charlotte Asian Heritage Association (CAHA) organized the new film festival on May 26-27. Charlotte Asian Film Festival (CAFF) was a joint effort of different local Asian-American community
ISSo Shree Swaminarayan Hindu temple Murti Praan Pratishtha Murti Praan Pratishtha is the most important ritual for any Hindu temple, wherein Vedic rituals are performed to invite the Supreme Deity to be resident in the Temple. By the grace of Supreme Lord Swaminarayan and divine blessings of His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharajshree and respected Pujya Saints, the Murti Praan Pratishtha event and inauguration ceremony were successfully completed on May 28 at ISSO Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Cary, NC. Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan, Shree Radha Krishna Dev, Shree Nar Narayan Dev, Shree Laxmi Narayan Dev, Shree Siddheshwar Mahadev, Shree SiddhiVinayak Dev (Ganapati-ji) and Shree Kashtabhanjan Dev (Hanuman-ji) are now resident in the Temple. Murti Praan Pratishtha of ISSO Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple was performed by His Holiness 1008 Acharya Shree Koshalendraprasadji Maharajshree, who is the 7th descendent of Supreme Lord Swaminarayan and His Holiness 108 Lalji Shree Vrajendraprasadji Maharajshree. The most divine moment of Praan Pratishtha happened according to the principles of Original Shree Swaminarayan Sampradaya, amongst chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras, in presence of several Saints and hundreds of devotees from all over the USA, UK, Canada and India.
Photo by Vasu Komanduri.
organizations in partnership with UNC Charlotte College of Arts and Architecture and local businesses and organizations. The Festival took place at UNC Charlotte Center City in Uptown as part of Asian/Pacific Heritage Month celebration. Among selected guests, the event hosted NC House Representative John Autry, County Commissioner Fuller, Councilwoman Mayfield, and Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera. During the opening speech, Representative Autry reaffirmed the significance of such events in promoting Charlotte as a world-class city. He shared the sentiment that cultural diversity and opportunities for all ethnic communities is what the city of Charlotte and the great of state North Carolina can be proud of. There were nine movies of varied genres screened during the festival. This included full-length feature films, shorts and documentaries, with the goal to provide a window on various facets of Asian society, culture and history both in the native lands and in the diaspora. There were several filmmakers and movie critics who shared the spotlight during post-movie panel discussions. The opening night documentary Holy (un)Holy River on the river Ganges generated a lot of interest and left the audience with the appreciation of man-made challenges to the fresh water crisis. The viewers admired the spectacular cinematography in the Tibetan film Soul on a String while uncovered a complex terrorism plot in a yet-to-be-released Hindi movie, Sameer. Prof. Eddy Souffrant of UNC Charlotte and Prof. Henry Schwarz of Georgetown University were among the panelists who took part in the Q&A sessions. CoChair Phin Xaypangna attributed the success of the first Asian Film Festival to the partnership with Charlotte Film Society, Light Factory, the City of Charlotte Economic Development, and Saathee magazine among others who provided support. Saathee.com
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As part of this auspicious occasion, Shrimad Bhagwat Saptah (7-day) Parayan Katha was performed from May 20 - 27 by Shastri Shree Yogendrabhai Bhatt. Shree Maha Vishnu Yaag (Yagna) was performed for three days in preparation of the Murti Praan Pratishtha. Respected Saints and spiritual leaders of various Shree Swaminarayan temples across USA and India visited and graced this event. The inauguration ceremony was graced by community leaders: Mayor of Morrisville Mark Stohlman, Mayor Pro tempore Steve Rao, HSNC President Girish Amin and TAHTS leaders Jaylan Parikh and Prasad Vanguri. More than 1000 people of Indian American diaspora attended this occasion. Shastri Shree Vishwaviharidasji Swami has been appointed as the new “Mahant Swami” in residence. ISSO Shree Swaminarayan Hindu Temple is now open, seven days a week 8am-12pm and 4pm-8pm. Daily Sandhya Aarti is at 7pm followed by Vachanamrut Katha by Shree Mahant Swami-ji. Every Saturday there is a “Satsang Sabha” from 5pm to 8pm, which includes Kirtan Bhakti, Katha, and Mahaprasad (dinner). July 2017