North Brunswick, NJ – August 22, 2025: Sai Pariwar, Inc. successfully hosted its Grand Fundraising Musical Gala on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, New Jersey, drawing hundreds of devotees, community members, and well-wishers. The evening marked a major milestone in Sai Pariwar’s mission to construct a new Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple and Cultural Center in North Brunswick.
The gala featured a captivating Bollywood musical concert performed by talented local singers and musicians, supported by a live band. Over three hours of soulful entertainment delighted the audience with a wide variety of melodies, ranging from golden oldies and devotional bhajans to contemporary favorites. The program began with Guruji Surendra Katthula’s prayer to Lord Ganesh followed by a melodious Sai Bhajan, which set a devotional and joyous atmosphere. Guests not only enjoyed the music but also savored delicious food and the warmth of community fellowship.
The event was choreographed and hosted by Madhavi Bathula, with music direction by Brij Joshi, who together created an engaging and memorable experience. Distinguished guest Upendra Chivukula, New Jersey’s first Indian American State Assemblyman and current Commissioner of Public Utilities, inspired the gathering with an appeal to donate generously, calling the temple a historic development for the large Indian American community in Central Jersey.
Sai Pariwar President Shiv Kolli gave an update on the progress of the temple construction project and highlighted the challenges of the current temple, which has been operating in a leased location for the past 15 years with limited amenities. He shared the vision for the new $5 million Sai Temple and Cultural Center on Route 130 in North Brunswick, which will feature sanctums for multiple deities, modern infrastructure, expanded facilities, and ample parking, ensuring a welcoming space for worship, cultural enrichment, and community service.
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Throughout the evening, the spirit of seva (selfless service), shraddha (faith), and saburi (patience) shone brightly. Guests contributed generously during the event, with many pledging donations and sponsorships for various aspects of the temple project. The sense of community support and shared vision was evident as devotees came together to help create a lasting spiritual and cultural landmark for future generations.
In his closing remarks, Guruji Surendra Katthula expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the devotees, volunteers, artists, and sponsors for their commitment and support. He also extended special thanks to media supporters including ITV Gold, TV Asia, Radio Zindagi, MANA TV, The Indian Eye, The Indian Panorama, Hi India, Akila News, The India Observer, Indus TV, Gujarat Darpan, and others for amplifying the cause and spreading awareness of this noble mission.
Sai Pariwar continues its longstanding tradition of community service beyond temple activities, with weekly medical camps, yoga and wellness programs, food drives, arts and cultural workshops, and festival celebrations that remain open to the public. The fundraising gala not only advanced the temple campaign but also strengthened bonds of devotion, unity, and service, bringing the community one step closer to realizing the dream of a modern Sai Temple and Cultural Center in North Brunswick.