Community notices

Fire Walking Ceremony and Marriaman Pooja

July 29 – The Shanthi Nivas will host its annual fire walking ceremony, Marriaman Pooja and Karagam Pooja at the temple, 102 Montague Street, from 6pm. The Marriaman Pooja will take place on July 31 at 10am. During the service, the community is invited to join Shanti Nivas in sacred chants and devotional chants, as well as offering prayers to God in the form of the Divine Mother Marriaman.

For more information, contact Sri Sarverson on 078 648 1577.

Masthani Shaan

August 6 – Sat-Chit-Ananda Temple society will be hosting Masthani Shaan on August 6.

The event is set to start at 6pm at Style and Grace Hall (above Parts People).

Tickets are available ar Rocky’s, Jayshree’s, Parts People and S&S Mini Market at R100 per person

For more information, call Pam on 034 317 3130.

Entertainment on the evening includes Dharam Maharaj, Mona Maharaj, Anand Maharah and comedian Mr Chedie, as well as dancers.

A lucky ticket draw will also be held oin the night.

St Oswald’s Class of 1979 reunion

August 6 – The St Oswald’s Secondary School Class of 1979 can renew old acquaintances at a reunion, planned for August 6, at Blackrock Casino.

Planning for the occasion is at an advanced stage, with the working group based locally pulling all the stops to ensure the event is well attended and memorable. Contact Sangeetha on 082 612 2405.

NAON excursion to South Coast

August 6 – New Age Of Newcastle (NAON) will host a weekend getaway to the South Coast from August 6 until August 10.

During the four-day trip, guests will visit Sun Coast and Wild Coast casinos, as well as temples.

The trip will cost R1 850 and a R1 000 deposit is required to secure a booking.

The price of the trip includes transport, accommodation and meals. Contact Radhika Maharaj on 071 412 8617 or Krish Ramdhani on 082 889 6128 for more information.

Lakshmi Pooja

August 12 – The Ramakrishna Newcastle Sub-Centre will be observing Varalakshmi Vratam (Lakshmi Pooja). The event will start at 6.30pm, and the programme for the celebrations will include chanting, rituals, bhajans, kirtans, discourses, hawan and aarti. For more information contact R. Singh on 083 232 7948.

August 19 – Krishna Ashtami

The Ramakrishna Newcastle Sub-Centre will be host Krishna Ashtami, set to start on August 19 and culminate with Sri Krishna Janmashtami on August 25. Satsang will commence at 6.30pm during the week and at 4pm during weekends.

The programme for the celebrations will include chanting, rituals, bhajans, kirtans, discourses, hawan and aarti. For more information contact R.Singh on 083 232 7948.

Annual Maha Yagna Pooja

August 21 – The Shree Sanathan Dharma Purohit Mandal will host the 16th annual Maha Yagna Pooja for rain, grain, peace, prosperity and unity.

The event will commence at 8am, at the corner of Dixon and St Thomas streets, Lennoxton.

A peace walk will start at 7am, and the youth are encouraged to participate. Special blessings and prayers for students, including Saraswathie Pooja, will be conducted by the presiding priest. Pundits will recite 1008 mantras on the day.

Parsadh will be served. Any form of donation may be handed to Pundit Ram, Pundit Suresh, Pundit Panday, Pundit Mohan Maharaj, Pundit Muggan Maharaj and Pundit Roshan Maharaj. Contact Pundit Mohan Maharaj on 034 317 1889 or 082 658 5782.

Diwali Show

October 15 – The Newcastle Diwali Show committee has begun planning, and with an exciting vision and lots of new ideas, this year’s Diwali Show will be one of the best ever.

As the event is one of the biggest highlights on the cultural calendar, it offers a terrific platform to showcase local talent and allows people of all ages to come together.

The show will reflect cultural vibrance, and community groups and religious institutions are invited to participate in the celebrations. Food and shopping stalls, children’s entertainment and a car sound competition will be available. Evening entertainment will be provided by a show band.

For more information, contact Ishwar Singh on 082 464 2344, Pravesh Sewlal on 082 859 9284 or Sheriza Singh on 082 856 1970.

Hindi Pracharni Sabha

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 for more information.

Hindi classes are held every evening for children and adults. Students are registered with the Hindi Shiksha Sangh, should they wish to write the National examinations. Contact Shamilla on 076 933 0655.

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 contact the National Helpline on 086 143 5722.