Regular Events and Activities

The Samaj has been pursuing its various regular activities with sincerity and devotion. The activities of the Samaj are being undertaken by dedicated group of volunteers who plan for each program and carry out all tasks required to make it a success.

Bhajana Seva

The Bhajana Sevas have been most important and prominent activity. Weekly Bhajana is conducted every Saturday evenings from 7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at Samaj office. It is also conducted during other special occasions / festivities. Many of our regular members and Shaswat Sevadars offer their Sevas during this day. Besides the Shashwat Sevas where Bhajan is offered on one day of devotees choice in a year there are presently three Shashwat Sevas offered by Devotees on all Saturdays plus three special days ( 55 sevas a year) and one Seva on every Saturday being offered by a devotee. We appeal to all of you to participate in the weekly Bhajana Sevas and be blessed by Lord Venkataramana. The Samaj also participates in various Bhajana Programs according to on-going practice and / or in response to requests from other GSB institutions or from individuals.

Foundation Day

The foundation day of the Samaj is an annual event celebrated on Gudi Padava day. Special Bhajana Seva and Ashtavadan Seva is offered to Lord Venkataramana & from our Guru Peethas for the continued prosperity and well being of the members

Righupakarma Day (Suttha Punav)

Righupakarma day is observed in the Shravana Month, Poornima Tithi, Shravana Nakshatra. Samaj arranges to distribute the sacred threads to meet the needs of the local community members. 'Homa' is performed early morning by our Vaidikas which is followed by rituals to change the sacred threads. 'Pitra Tarpana' is also offered by individuals to remember and pray for the departed souls.

HaldiKumKum Programme

The HaldiKumKum programme is conducted on Dassera Day each year. The programme is celebrated with special Bhajana Seva by our ladies group in front of photo of Goddess Saraswati. It is followed by Sabha programme and distribution of prizes to those students who have distinguished themselves during the previous academic year. This programme is presided over by a well known Mahila personality from the community.

Kartika Deepotsava

Kartika Deepotsava programme is held every year on following the Kartik Poornima by arranging a grand phalavali and Deepa Alankar to Lord Venkataramana. Many of devotees actively participated in the Phalavali auction that follows.

Annual Get-Together & Satyanarayana Mahapooja

Annual Get-Together meeting is one of the most important annual function generally held on 26th January (Republic Day). Sri Satyanarayana Mahapooja is performed praying for the welfare of the Samaj followed by grand Mahasabha in the evening. The Mahasabha is generally graced by prominent personality from the community as Chief Guest. Fancy Dress Competition, Drawing Competition, Bhajana Singing Competition, Dance Competition are held as part of Variety Entertainment Programme. This function has a very good attendance by over 750 people from our Samaj.

Managing Committee Members

Our Present Managing Commiittee

Member Name	Designation
Shri C.M.Sadasiv Rao	President
Shri Prakash M Kamath	Hon Gen Secretary
Shri Shrikant G Bhat	Hon Treasurer
Shri Ramachandra A. Pai	Vice President
Shri Vivek R Bhat	Hon Jt Secretary
Shri Nandamohan D Shenoy	Managing Committee Member
Shri Dayanand S Kamath	Managing Committee Member
Smt Preeti P Kamath	Managing Committee Member
Shri Ramesh G Joshi	Managing Committee Member
Shri Ramdas G Bhat	Managing Committee Member
Shri Ashok N Pai	Managing Committee Member
Shri Rajaram Mallya	Managing Committee Member

Aims and Objectives

The trust was started by a small group of people with following aims and objectives.

• To bring about the spirit of unity, brotherhood and cooperation amongst the members of Gowd Saraswat Brahman community in general and those residing in the western suburbs of Greater Mumbai in particular.
• To undertake, organise and assist in promoting or sponsoring conventions, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, meetings, religious, cultural, educational and social activities for all around advancement of the community.
• To render and to arrange for timely assistance for the funeral and cremation of the dead persons of the community.
• To render and to arrange for timely assistance of marriages and thread ceremonies of the members of the community on request.
• To render advice, guidance and assistance in securing gainful employment for the members of the community wherever possible.
• To establish and organise well disciplined volunteer corps for implementation and realisation of the aims and objects of the Samaj.
• To organise medical relief and assistance including hospitalisation ambulance service either on its own or in co-operation and collaboration with other institutions
• To promote and develop fine arts viz. drama; dance, music either on its own or in co-operation and collaboration with other institutions
• To establish. and maintain educational institutions like schools, colleges; technical and/or commercial institutes and to conduct refresher and/or vocational guidance courses etc either on its own or in co-operation and collaboration with other institutions.
• To establish and run poor homes, orphanages, industrial homes, dispensaries, hospitals and to carry out such activities for the benefit of poor, ages, orphans, widows and incapacitated members of the community either on its own or in co-operation and collaboration with other institutions.
• To Promote, co-operative housing societies for constructing buildings, hostels, dormitories etc., to house and accommodate members of the community.
• To purchase, take or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire property, movable or immovable and any rights and privileges which may be deemed necessary, convenient or beneficial for the purpose of the community and to improve, develop, manage, sell, lease. mortgage, dispose off, turn to account or otherwise deal with all or any part of property of the Samaj.
• To construct, maintain or alter any house or building and to carry out the works necessary for the purpose of the Samaj.
• To organise and maintain libraries; reading rooms; for making available books periodicals and papers and to publish and/or promote publication of books, periodicals, journals and pamphlets for furtherance of the objects of the Samaj, either on its own or in co-operation and collaboration with other institutions.
• To celebrate the Foundation Day of the Samaj on the Gudi Padva Day every year.
• To collect subscriptions, donations, contributions membership fees and accept gifts, endorsements, bequests, settlements; etc;-
• To borrow and raise money in such manner; and to such extent as may be deemed fit for the furtherance of the objects of the Samaj provided however when the amount to be borrowed exceeds the sum of Rs. 10,000.00 (Rupees Ten Thousand only) approval of the General Body shall be obtained by means of the special resolution.
• To invest monies of the Samaj in such securities and in such manner as may be determined from time to time.
• To affiliate the Samaj and/or to be affiliated with such other institutions the community as have similar aims and, objects provided; however such afiiliation Shall have the Prior approval of the General Body by means of a special resolution.
• To do all such other things as may be conducive and incidental to the attainment of all or any of the aims and objects mentioned herein above.

Membership

If you wish to be a Member of the Samaj please go through the eligibility criteria, Types of membership, Subscription Fees, Application Procedure.

Eligibility

Members of the Gowd Saraswat Brahman Community ordinarily residing in the Western Suburbs of Greater Mumbai and who are above the age of eighteen (18) years and who subscribe to the aims and objectives of the Samaj shall be eligible for the membership of the Samaj.

Types of Membership

The membership of the samaj consists of the following:

1) Patron Members

2) Life Members

3) Lady Membership (Annual)

4) Ordinary Membership (Annual)

Membership Fees

1) Patron Membership - Rs 1001/-

2) Life Membership - Rs 501/-

3) Lady Membership (Annual) - Rs 20/-

4) Ordinary Membership (Annual) - Rs 10/-

Entrance fee of Rs 1/- is charged for all types of membership.