Our Bureau
Toms River, NJ
The annual fundraising musical concert organized by the Siddhi Singers Group was held successfully on May 9, 2026, at the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple and Indian Cultural & Community Center in Toms River, New Jersey. The event brought together community leaders, dignitaries, devotees, and supporters for an inspiring evening filled with music, devotion, and community spirit.
The fundraiser was organized to support the temple’s vision of building a new Community Hall, which will serve as a center for cultural, educational, spiritual, and social activities for the growing Indian-American community in the region.
For nearly three hours, the Siddhi Singers — the temple’s talented in-house musical group led by Dr. Kirit Pandya and Ms. Annette D’Souza Patel, both accomplished singers themselves — captivated the audience with soulful devotional songs, Bollywood classics, and vibrant cultural performances. The concert was accompanied by a live orchestra featuring exceptional musicians on tabla, keyboard, guitar, and percussion. The evening also featured a delicious dinner sponsored by Aarzu – The Modern Indian Bistro.
The temple was honored by the presence of several distinguished guests, including Hon’ble Deputy Consul General of India in New York, Mr. Vishal Harsh, who attended as the Chief Guest. Other prominent attendees included Mr. Ankur Vaidya, Chairman of FIA; Mr. Sreekant Akapalli, President of FIA; Ms. Priti Patel, Vice President of FIA; Ms. Priti Kashyap, President of BJANA; Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh; Mr. Pinakin Pathak; and Dr. Tushar Patel, President of HCNJ.
The dignitaries were welcomed by Dr. Avinash Gupta, Chairman of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple; Dr. Bankim Shah, Co-Chairman; and Dr. Geeta Gupta, Chief Trustee.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Avinash Gupta became emotional while describing the growing need for a dedicated community hall where families can gather to celebrate festivals, cultural events, educational activities, and spiritual programs. He thanked all donors, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for their unwavering commitment and asked the community to continue contributing generously to this noble mission.
In his address, Mr. Vishal Harsh praised the temple’s efforts in preserving Indian culture and heritage and emphasized the importance of community centers in strengthening cultural identity among future generations.
Organizers noted that the Siddhivinayak Temple has evolved into much more than a place of worship. It has become a vibrant cultural and spiritual home where traditions, music, values, and festivals are preserved and passed on to younger generations growing up in America.
The evening concluded with a heartfelt appeal to the community to visit the temple, support its continued growth, and help build a lasting legacy for generations to come.
