BAPS - Flushing, NY

BAPS Refers to Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha.

The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is a spiritual, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to improving society through individual growth by fostering the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and selfless service. The organization was established on 5 June 1907 by Shastri Yagnapurushdas or Shastriji Maharaj (1865–1951), a Sanskrit scholar and sadhu who left the Vadtal Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday in 1905. An interpretation of Swaminarayan's teachings led to the formation of this organization. This interpretation is known as Akshar Purushottam Upasana. Shastriji Maharaj's successor was Yogiji Maharaj who was succeeded by present head Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

“In the joy of others lies our own.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj
“True spirituality speaks the language of love.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj
“Better the world around you by bettering yourself.” – Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir New York was the first Swaminarayan Mandir in North America. Inaugurated in 1974 by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, this mandir had been center of the Sanstha's activities for many years.

Murtis of this mandir have a great history. First installed in 1974 by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the murtis were painted on canvas. When the mandir was first renovated, the murtis were re-installed by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj on August 28 1977. In July 1984, new murtis of marble were installed and the fourth murti pratishtha was performed in May 2004 as new marble murtis were consecrated by Swamishri in a majestic sinhasan.

The BAPS temple has the below idols to worship
Shri Sita-Ram Dev and Shri Hanuman
Shri Akshar Purushottam Maharaj
Shri Radha Krishna Dev
Shri Guru Parampara
Shri Shiv-Parvati Dev and Shri Ganesh

How to reach this Mandir :
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 
43-38 Bowne Street 
Flushing, NY USA 11355. 
Ph : (718) 539-5373

Temple Timing :
Week Days  :  7:00 am to 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Week Ends :  7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Central Park Running

Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live. The huge park, 341 hectare large (843 acres), is located in the center of Manhattan. Its design has served as an example for city parks around the world. Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States. It was designated a USA National Historic Landmark in 1962 . Central Park is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in New York.

My Running Snaps in Central Park

Central Park

Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live. The huge park, 341 hectare large (843 acres) is located in the center of Manhattan. Its design has served as an example for city parks around the world. Central Park is the most visited urban park in the United States. It was designated a USA National Historic Landmark in 1962. Central Park is one of the most famous sightseeing spots in New York.

The park boasts several lakes, theaters, ice rinks, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. It is also home to the Central Park Zoo and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

The park, which receives approximately thirty-five million visitors annually, is the most visited urban park in the United States. It was opened on 778 acres  of city-owned land and was expanded to 843 acres (3.41 km2; 1.317 sq mi). It is 2.5 miles (4 km) long between 59th Street (Central Park South) and 110th Street (Central Park North), and is 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West.

Places you should check out in the Central Park
1. The Sheep's Meadow and the Great Lawn
2. The Central Park Zoo
3. The Lakes and Reservoir 
4. Turtle Pond
5. Shakespeares Garden
6. Strawberry Fields and John Lennon's Imagine 
7. Central Park Conservatory Garden
8. Bethesda Terrace
9. Cleopatra's Needle
10. The Carrousel 
11. The Boat House
12. The Belvedere Castle
13. The Willmans Ring

The ING New York City Marathon is one of the world’s most iconic races. During the 26.2-mile journey through the five boroughs of New York City,  Nearly 48,000 runners will experience the sights and sounds of the city, cheered on by more than two million spectators, entertained by hundreds of bands, and be inspired every step of the way. On November 3 as the entire city transforms into the world’s biggest stadium.

Snaps of ING New York City Marathon in Central Park

Central Park is open daily from 6:00 am until 1:00 am.

Entry is FREE  for everyone since 1858.

Guru Raghavendra Temple NYC

In New York City, there is a temple built for Guru Raghavendra on Bowne Street in Flushing (Very Near to the famous Flushing Ganesh Temple).

Sri Guru Raghavendra (1595-1671) is a famous  and a respected 16th century Hindu saint who lived in South India.  Guru Raghavendra advocated Madhva philosophy (worship of Sri Vishnu as the supreme God) and Sri Madhvacharya’s dualism philosophy attained jeeva samadhi (voluntarily stopped His breathing in deep meditation) and entered Brindavana (a specially constructed stone enclosure) in Mantralaya in Andhra Pradesh on Dwitiya Day of Sravana Krishna Paksha in the year 1671. This date is celebrated each year as Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana at Brindavanas all over the world. 

Shree Raghavendra stotram (Slogam)

Pujyaya Raghavendraya Sathya Dharma Rathayacha

Bajatham Kalpa Vrukshaya Namatham Kamadehnave

The Main Guru Raghavendra's samadhi (final resting place) is located in Mantralayam, a small town in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Hindu Temple Society of North America
Raghavendra Swamy Temple
(Opp Ganesh Temple) 45-57  Bowne St, Flushing, New York


LIFE HISTORY OF GURU RAGHAVENDRA IN TAMIL PHOTO

Geeta Temple

Geeta Temple is a center for spiritual enlightenment for the people in New York. Swami Jagdishwaranand established this temple in 1979 with the help of devotees. It serves the Indian community in New York with weekly programs and Hindu festivals on regular basis.

The deities at the temple include Geeta Mata, Lord Shiva & Parvathi, Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayan, Radha Krishna, Rama Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman & Sai Baba.

How to Reach : 
Geeta Mandir (Geeta Temple Ashram)
92-09 Corona Ave
Elmhurst, NY 11373
(718) 592-2925

Wall Street

Wall Street in Manhattan New York City

Wall Street is the financial district of New York City, running from Broadway to South Street on the East River in Lower Manhattan. Over time, the term has become a metonym for the financial markets of the United States as a whole, the American financial sector, or signifying New York-based financial interests. 

Wall Street is the home of the New York Stock Exchange, the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies.

Wall Street Christmas Tree - 2013

Federal Hall, built in 1700 as New York's City Hall, later served as the first capitol building of the United States of America under the Constitution, and was the site of George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States. It was also where the United States Bill of Rights was introduced in the First Congress. The building was demolished in 1812.

Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street was built in 1842 as the United States Custom House, on the site of the old Federal Hall, and later served as a sub-Treasury building. It is now operated by the National Park Service as a national memorial commemorating the historic events that occurred there.

Charging Bull, which is sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, is a 3,200-kilogram (7,100 lb) bronze sculpture by Arturo Di Modica that stands in Bowling Green Park near Wall Street in Manhattan, New York City. Standing 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and measuring 16 feet (4.9 m) long, the oversize sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, leaning back on its haunches and with its head lowered as if ready to charge. The sculpture is both a popular tourist destination which draws thousands of people a day, as well as "one of the most iconic images of New York" and a "Wall Street icon" symbolizing "Wall Street" and the Financial District.  The bull statue is actually not on Wall Street, it is on Bowling Green which is a park near Wall Street. The bull was removed from Wall Street and installed in its new location in 1989.

Trinity Church

The congregation of Trinity Church is one of the oldest in America, having been established in 1697 under charter by King William III. At that time, the crown granted them a prime piece of real estate at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street. 

Trinity Church, which was burned during the Revolutionary War. The current Trinity Church is the third building to stand at that location. It was designed by American Institute of Architects co-founder Richard Upjohn and was consecrated on Ascension Day in 1846. Upjohn was known as a leader of the American Gothic Revival movement. His magnificent design made Trinity one of the first and finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its architectural significance.

The basilica plan church is built in the English Perpendicular Gothic Style of the 14th century, signaling the arrival of Gothic Revival ideals brought from England to New York in the mid 19th century. The church's stained glass windows recall medieval models, while its ornate bronze doors echo the doors of Florence's Renaissance Baptistery. The use of brownstone signals a popular interest in locally available materials.

Trinity Wall Street focuses on three major components of the journey of faith: Faith Inspiration, Faith Formation, and Faith in Action. 

Architectural style: Gothic Revival architecture
Height: 284' (87 m)