PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SERVICES (PUJAS) POLICY AND MINIMUM DONATIONS

Approved by HTNEW Board 10-2-2015. Revision1: 4-24-2016. Revision2: 12-16-2017. Revision3: 5-12-2021. Revision4: 3-26-2023

Private Puja can happen at TEMPLE or outside (away from TEMPLE) at a devotee’s place. Pujas can be arranged by calling/e-mailing HTNEW This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 920-462-4273. In case of no response from the above contacts within 48 hours, devotee may contact a HTNEW Board Member.

Devotees may contact TEMPLE Priest for consultation of auspicious days/time (muhurtham). Devotees can contact Priest to enquire about items needed for the puja.

Priest shall inform the HTNEW board for all private pujas scheduled at TEMPLE or outside. Priest to maintain a calendar listing all scheduled pujas.

Pujas date & time can be confirmed only after payment is made to TEMPLE. If a puja is canceled after payment is made, the devotee may use the payment for future services at temple. 

Private Pujas at HTNEW: 

1. Minimum donations for various pujas are listed in TEMPLE and on the website www.HTNEW.org. Devotees to pay TEMPLE thru cash/check/credit card.             

2. Devotees shall pay separate Dakshina to priest directly (cash/check) as indicated. 

3. Devotees to make all arrangements for any food they intend to serve to their guests who come for puja. Any TEMPLE items used such as tables, chairs, utensils shall be cleaned and put back in their place. TEMPLE shall be reimbursed for any disposable supplies used. 

4. Devotees who like to use the Temple Multipurpose hall, for snack/lunch/dinner as part of puja, please refer to a separate rental form for charges. 

5. Timings for puja: can happen anytime the temple is scheduled to be open, but cannot coincide with temple events. 

6. Any pujas or rituals with the picture of a person shall not be conducted in the main temple hall housing deities/vigrahas. 

7. Shraddh/death anniversary etc., with or without the picture of a person shall not be performed in the main temple hall where the deities (vigrahas & pictures of Gods) are present. These services can be performed in the adjacent multipurpose room or classrooms. TEMPLE Board understands the sensitivity of the devotees who would like to perform the Shraddh/death anniversary in the temple, but the sanctity of the main temple hall housing Gods need to be maintained as per hindu shastras. Please consult our priest for advice on when to perform the Shraddh/death anniversary. 

8. Shanti Path, Death in family, Birth in the family. Please consult the temple priest regarding any pujas that the devotee may want to perform.

OUTSIDE Private Pujas away from TEMPLE:

1. Minimum donations for various pujas (away from TEMPLE) are listed in TEMPLE and on the website www.HTNEW.org. Devotees pay TEMPLE thru cash/check/credit card. Check shall be payable to “HTNEW”. 

2. Devotees shall pay separate Dakshina to priest directly by cash or check for at least the minimum amount indicated in the following chart (or confirmation e-mail). Devotees shall also reimburse the priest directly for transportation cost at IRS mileage rates ($0.535/mile in year 2017, from temple to devotee’s place both ways). 

3. If the Devotee’s place is more than 25 miles from TEMPLE, then there may be additional charge of $25/Hr for priest time payable to HTNEW. 

4. Timings for puja: We request you to schedule outside pujas when temple is not scheduled to be open. In some rare situations, it may happen when temple is scheduled to be open with BOD authorization, but cannot coincide with temple events. If a priest is required to stay beyond allotted time, there will be additional charges of $35/hour. 

5. If the priest is utilized for Bhajans or other activities other than the confirmed puja, there will be additional time charges of $35/hour (payable to HTNEW) and additional Dakshina shall also be paid to the priest. This may be done only if time permits. 

Minimum Donations below do not include Priest transportation charges.

Contact Priest or Temple board member if the puja you want to perform is not listed above.

Dakshina: In Hindu tradition, it is customary to give dakshina (offering) to the priest and get his blessings. The rates listed above are minimum amounts. We encourage you to be generous and help support the Priest and Temple.