Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 12 CITY VIEWS September 26, 2025 Kashi Vishwanath Mahotsav Comes To New Jersey T he Sri Guruvaayoorappan Temple in Morgan- ville, New Jersey, is set to host a rare and historic celebration, the Kashi Vishwanath Mahotsav, honoring the revered Shri Kashi Vishwanathji. For devotees who have long wished to visit Kashi in India, this event offers an unprecedented opportunity to experience its sacred rituals right here in the United States. For the first time in 5,000 years, Chief Priest Shri Srikant Mishra Ji, along with his team of assistant priests from Kashi Dham, will travel to the U.S. to officiate the pujas and aaratis in strict accordance with the centuries- old traditions of Kashi. The ceremonies will include Abhishekam, Mangala Aarati, Bhog Aarati, Sandhya Aarati, Shringar Aarati, and Shayana Aarati. Each evening will culminate in a solemn Ganga Aarati by the reflect- ing pool, performed with sacred waters from the holy Ganges. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in India, one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is considered the spiritual heart of Sanatana Dharma and a destination for seekers of liberation. The Mahotsav in New Jersey aims to recreate that profound spiritual experience, offering devotees the chance to connect deeply with Lord Shiva without crossing oceans. This momentous religious gathering will be held at the Sri Krishna Temple in Morganville, NJ, on Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12, bringing together devotees and spiritual seekers from across the Indo- American community. Organizers say the celebration symbolizes the deep spiritual bond between Kashi Dham and the Sri Guru- vaayoorappan Temple and marks an unparalleled mo- ment of devotion and cultural unity. All members of the community are invited to attend and participate in the sacred rituals, honoring Lord Shiva and elevating their spiritual journey. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:Sri GuruvaayoorappanTemple Leap to Shine Gala Raises Over $125,000 to Empower Children in India Through Digital Learning L eap to Shine (leaptoshine.org ), a Platinum-rated nonprofit recognized by GuideStar, hosted its annual fund- raising gala on September 13, raising more than $125,000 to expand digital learning opportunities for underserved children in India. Leap to Shine directs 95 cents of every dollar raised toward its programs, ensur- ing maximum impact. Its innovative model provides students with digital tab- lets preloaded with educational curricu- lum, eliminating the need for constant internet access. Progress can be tracked via a simpleWi-Fi connection once every two weeks. Over time, the organization has shifted from a classroom-based initia- tive to a scholarship program, and now to a growing mentorship model that aims to create sustainable educational pathways. The gala featured the popular dance competition “Dancing for a Cause,” where 13 community leaders paired with choreographers to perform after weeks of rehearsals. The competition was judged by Amit Shah, Bhumit Patel, and Savitha Anand, with performances led by cho- reographers Krish & Krutika of Unnati Dance Academy, Dr. Devang Modi of Sim- ply Dance, Shivani Badgi of Gurukul, San- gita Das and Chinmay Ashar of Shehnaz Dance Academy, and independent artists Pavitra Jayakanth, Reshika Balayan, and Shweta Karhadkar. Star participant Shraddha Agarwal and choreographer Sangita Das. | Photo Credit : Leap to Shine Adding to the evening’s inspiration, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Adam Graves (Anuja) delivered the keynote ad- dress, emphasizing the global importance of organizations like Leap to Shine in the fight against child labor and in bridging the educational divide. The event’s success was supported by sponsors including HSBC, ParikhWorld- wide, Innova Solutions, and Charter Glob- al, along with individual sponsors Shefali & Shah, Natasha & Indranil Bagchi, and Megha Bhouraskar. “We are deeply grateful for the unwav- ering support of our donors, volunteers, and partners,” said Keyur Shah, Director at Leap to Shine. “This year, we’re excited to scale our mentorship model and ex- pand our volunteer network to reach even more children in need.” Leap to Shine continues to work toward its mission of empowering un- derprivileged students in India through access to digital tools and mentorship, aiming to help them achieve academic success and envision brighter futures. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Leapto Shine Participants Shyam & Sumita Rao with HSBC VP Doug Gallardo and Emcee Nisha Mathur. Particpants and Choreographers Leap to Shine Dancing for a Cause 2025. Star participant Shraddha Agarwal and choreographer Sangita Das.