India Tribune Newsdesk

Roselle, IL: Faith, fellowship, music and generosity came together on October 10, 2026, as Hari Om Mandir hosted its Annual Fundraising Dinner at Pearl Banquets, 1490 W. Lake Street, Roselle, Illinois. The gala brought together hundreds of devotees and community members for an evening of spiritual blessings, cultural performances, recognition of dedicated volunteers and fundraising for the temple’s future needs. By the end of the celebration, contributions and pledges had brought the total close to $170,000, inspiring organizers to raise their goal to $200,000.

The program began shortly after 6 p.m., with master of ceremonies Mona Sharma welcoming guests and inviting them to settle in for an evening combining devotion, entertainment and a shared commitment to the temple. Acharya Ram Naresh Vajpayee opened the formal proceedings with Vedic mantras and blessings, reminding the gathering that the occasion was about more than fundraising. It was an opportunity for devotees to come together through faith and service.

Brij Sharma, chairman of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the audience and offered prayers for those unable to attend because of health or personal circumstances. He expressed gratitude to the Board of Trustees and Executive Board for their year-round dedication, giving special recognition to President Vipan Wadhera and Sangeeta Wadhera for their leadership and commitment.

“The world cannot move without Shri Ram, Ram cannot move without Hanuman, and Hari Om Mandir cannot move without Vipan and Sangeeta,” Sharma remarked, drawing warm applause from the audience.

He highlighted the successful completion of the Hanuman Murti installation and the construction of a protective covering around it. The projects, he said, were made possible entirely through community contributions, without resorting to outside borrowing.

Looking ahead, Sharma identified two important infrastructure priorities. The first is improved lighting for the temple’s parking lot, estimated to cost approximately $100,000. The second, a longer-term project, is bringing city water to the temple to provide a safer and more reliable drinking-water supply, with an estimated cost of $500,000.

Quoting the poet-saint Kabir, Sharma reminded devotees that generosity does not diminish the giver’s capacity to give. His appeal set the stage for an evening in which contributions, both large and small, became expressions of collective responsibility.

Anil Saxena, chairman of the fundraising committee, followed with an upbeat address that combined humor, appreciation and ambition. Recalling that the previous year’s event had raised $150,000, he challenged the community to aim higher in 2026. He praised the Hanuman Murti project, which cost nearly half a million dollars but was completed under budget through careful planning and collective support. Saxena also acknowledged the substantial responsibilities shouldered by Vipan and Sangeeta Wadhera, particularly during a personally challenging year for him.

The evening’s cultural program began with Falguni Rana’s graceful Ganesha Vandana, a devotional dance offering that brought prayer to life through movement and expression.

Pratibha Jairath and Raju Bankapur, affectionately known as the “Kishore Kumar of Chicago,” then entertained the audience with nearly an hour of musical performances. Their repertoire included romantic classics that drew couples onto the dance floor, along with tabla and bansuri performances by Bankapur and a memorable Mukesh medley. Lighthearted exchanges between Jairath, Bankapur and Vandana Bankapur added humor and warmth to the program.

The celebration continued with a fashion walk choreographed by Priya Raheja, with support from Vijay Raheja. Devotees of different ages took to the stage, walking confidently to popular Hindi film songs. The presentation transformed the runway into a lively expression of cultural pride, participation and community togetherness.

A major highlight came when President Vipan Wadhera presented an update on the fundraising campaign. He acknowledged the GRAND DONORS, each contributing $10,000 or more: Brij Sharma, Dr. Manav Salwan, Kalsi Builders, Saurabh and Ruchi Srivastava, Nalin Shah, Dr. Arun Verma, Usha Singla, and Archana and Sudhir Agrawal.

PLATINUM DONORS, who contributed $5,000 or more, included Anup Saxena, Anil Saxena, Navin Paul, Ashish Shukla, Anil Gulati and Vipan Wadhera. Numerous additional contributors were also recognized for donations ranging from $250 to $1,100.

As collection boxes filled and pledges continued to arrive, the total approached $100,000 during the program. By the end of the evening, the amount had climbed to nearly $170,000, prompting Wadhera to announce a new target of $200,000.

“Every penny is used for a cause and the devotees,” he said, emphasizing that the temple’s priorities remain improving facilities and serving the community.

Wadhera also highlighted the work of Hari Om Gurukul, led by Anurag Awasthi and Prerna Awasthi. The Gurukul’s young students had memorized all six stanzas of Vande Mataram in just 15 days and performed at the Consulate General’s office, earning appreciation for their preparation and dedication. Youth Night, planned and organized entirely by the next generation, was another example of the temple’s efforts to keep younger members actively connected to their cultural heritage.

Asha Mehta brought fresh energy to the stage with a vibrant Bollywood dance to “Ghoomar.” Raffle drawings added excitement, with lucky participants winning Amazon and Visa gift cards. Mona Sharma later entertained the gathering with lively Punjabi tappay, reinforcing the evening’s spirit of combining generosity with enjoyment.

The program also recognized individuals whose contributions to Hari Om Mandir extend beyond financial support. Sangeeta Wadhera hosted the awards segment, assisted by former secretaries Sneh Chaudhary and Anita Rawal. Guests including Anil Loomba, Yogi Bhardwaj, Anu Malhotra, Om Dhingra, members of the Agrawal family, Asha Oraskar and Rakesh Malhotra presented awards to Ashok and Shma Sharma; Ramesh and Indu Bhardwaj; Deepak and Mona Sharma; Dinesh and Varsha Patel; Raju Bankapur; Anurag and Prerna Awasthi; and Acharya Ram Naresh Vajpayee. The honors recognized their dedication, service and lasting contributions to the temple community.

The gala concluded on a spirited note with a qawwali performance featuring Pratibha Jairath, Om Dhingra, Raju Bankapur, Dr. Bhupendra Berry, Ashwini Mahajan, Vipan Wadhera, Vandana Bankapur, Poonam Mahajan, Anita Berry, Kanan Dhingra and Sangeeta Wadhera. Their songs of love, devotion and celebration filled the banquet hall, bringing the evening to a memorable close.

Reflecting on the gathering, Suresh Bodiwala, chairman and founder of Asian Media USA, observed that Hari Om Mandir represents far more than a building or religious institution.

“In an age when communities too often fracture under the weight of distance and distraction, the Hari Om Mandir family reminds us what collective faith can still achieve,” Bodiwala said. He described the October 10 gathering as a demonstration of how devotion, disciplined service and open-hearted giving can sustain institutions and preserve cultural traditions for future generations.

From improving parking-lot lighting and securing a safer water supply to educating children in Indian traditions and honoring longtime volunteers, Hari Om Mandir’s priorities reflect a continuing commitment to religious and community life.

As guests departed after an evening of prayers, performances, fellowship and shared meals, the nearly $170,000 raised stood as a testament to the generosity of the devotees. The larger $200,000 goal remains a challenge for the community to pursue, but the gala demonstrated the strength of a shared purpose.

For Hari Om Mandir, the message of the evening was simple: a temple is sustained not merely by its walls, but by the faith, service and generosity of the people who call it their spiritual home.