Community Notices for Newcastle and surrounding areas

Ballroom and Line Dancing

Ballroom and line dance classes started in February at the Nofta Service Centre. Classes take place on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Contact Rajesh on 082 321 7150 or Shirley on 034 315 2534 or 082 576 0806.

Paradise Temple Maha Shivaratri Prayers

February 24 – Paradise Hindu Temple will hold its annual Maha Shivaratri Prayers at the temple from 6.30pm.

Ramakrishna Centre Maha Shivaratri Prayers

February 24 – The Ramakrishna Newcastle Sub Centre will observe Maha Shivaratri at the centre. Satsang will start at 6.30pm and end at midnight.

The programme includes rituals, chanting, bhajans, kirtans, discourses, hawan and aarti.

Conact Mrs R. Singh on 083 232 7948.

Hindi Pracharni Sabha (HPS) Temple celebrates Maha Shivaratri

February 24 -Newcastillians are invited to the Maha Shivaratri celebration at the HPS temple starting at 6.30pm and continue until late. The officiating priests will be Pundit Suresh Maharaj and Pundit Magan Maharaj. Contact Nirvashni Singh on 083 277 9336 or Ramesh Seeberath on 082 885 1190.

Sat-Chit-Ananda Temple Maha Shivaratri Prayers

February 24 – Sat-Chit-Ananda Temple will host Maha Shivaratri prayers and a night vigil from 6pm to 6am. The hoisting of Shiv Jhunda will take place at 6pm, with four three hourly sessions of kirtans, bhajans and discourses. The prayer will end with a hawan at 6am.

For more information contact A.D. Singh on 060 7638 461 or 034 317 63130.

Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti

February 28 – The Ramakrishna Newcastle Sub Centre will celebrate Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti (Tihthi Puja) at the Green Street Ashram. Satsang will begin at 6.30pm.

The programme will also include rituals, chanting, bhajans, kirtans, discourses, hawan and aarti.

For more information, contact Mrs R. Singh on 083 232 7948.

42-Day Hanuman Chalisa Recital and Hanuman Jayanthi

March 1 to April 11 – Sat-Chit-Ananda Temple society will host a 42-day Hanuman Chalisa Recital and Hanuman Jayanthi, starting on March 1 until April 11. The programme starts at daily 6.30pm, except on Thursdays when it starts at 7pm, and weekends when it will start 5.30pm.

Interested organisations, individuals and Hanuman devotees are invited to render bhalisa recitals.

Devotees will pray for world peace, health, prosperity and personal upliftment.

For more information, contact A.D. Singh on 060 7638 461 or 034 317 63130.

Hindi Pracharni Sabha (HPS) Blood Camps

March 19 – HPS will host a blood camp at Wonderland Pre-Primary School from 12pm to 3pm.

May 28 – A blood camp and wellness day will be held at Wonderland Pre-Primary School from 12pm to 3pm.

August 6 – HPS will host a blood camp at Wonderland Pre-Primary School from 12pm to 3pm.

October 22 – HPS will host a blood camp at Wonderland Pre-Primary School from 12pm to 3pm.

For more information, contact Ash on 082 685 6332 or Mona on 073 756 2480.

Wedding, Health and Beauty Expo

March 24 to March 26 – The Wedding, Health and Beauty Expo will at the Newcastle Show Hall. For stall bookings and more information, contact Adam

on 060 525 1527.

Gurukul Classes

Iskcon Temple offers Gurukul classes every Friday for children between the ages of three to 12, from 3pm to 4pm. Contact Vilasa Majari dasi on 034 317 2333.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Youth Group

Youth meetings will be held at the temple for youngsters from the ages of 13 upwards. Contact Sevanandi devi dasi on 083 538 0468.

Iskcon Love Feast

Iskcon will hold a Sunday Love Feast, which is a free vegetarian supper, every Sunday from 4pm at the Iskcon Temple, 20 Toucan Place.

Newcastle Organisation of The Aged (Nofta) Portuguese/Bhangra cruise

March 24 to March 27 – Nofta will embark on an exciting four-day Bhangra cruise. The cruise will cost R 5 500, which includes port and baggage, mandatory insurance, service charges and entertainment fee.

An immediate deposit of R3 000 will secure a place. Transport expenses to the harbour are excluded. Contact Rajesh Ramdaw on 082 321 7150, Ram Sivpersad on 072 125 2809 or the Nofta office 034 317 2251.

Hindi Pracharni Sabha (HPS)

The community is invited to attend satsang every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm. Ramayan recital classes are held every Sunday from 9am to 10.30am. Contact Ramesh on 082 885 1190 or Vinod on 072 258 9992. Hindi classes for children and adults are taught every evening. Students are registered with the Hindi Shiksha Sangh, should they wish to write the National examinations. Contact Shamilla on 076 933 0655 for details.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings take place every Thursday at 7pm at the Methodist Church on 64 Harding Street. Contact Des on 079 503 1075, Ina on 034 318 1108, Morris on 083 310 2309 or 034 326 4718 (A/H), Raj on 082 669 9140 (A/H) or t the National Helpline on 086 143 5722.