Kashmiri Overseas Association Inc.

09/18/2026

Remembering Lall Ded – Lalleshwari on her Jayanti

Lall Ded, also revered as Lalleshwari, remains one of Kashmir’s most cherished spiritual voices, deeply rooted in the non-dualistic tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. Through her Lall Vakhs, she shared timeless teachings on Shiva, self-realization, and the oneness of existence.

To help preserve and carry forward her spiritual legacy, several initiatives are underway:

Lalleshwari Aarti – being professionally recorded as a shared devotional prayer
Lalleshwari J*p Mala – 108 virtues of Lalleshwari, compiled by Dr. Chaman Lal Raina
Dhyan of Lalleshwari – a visual representation being created to support prayer and contemplation

These efforts aim to deepen our connection with Lalleshwari’s teachings and help pass this spiritual heritage on to future generations.

Lall Ded belongs to Kashmir’s heritage and, through the universality of her message, to humanity.

🙏 Please share this message with family, friends, and the wider community so we can collectively honor and preserve the legacy of Lalleshwari.

Acknowledgements

With gratitude, we recognize the individuals and organizations who have contributed to this initiative:

Concept & Coordination
Arvind Shah, Sunita Raina Pandita

Mentor
Dr. Chaman Lal Raina

Associates
Shri Subhash Premi, Shri Dalip Langu, Shri Veer Munshi, Shri Manoj Kaul

Advisor & Sponsor
Prof. Sudhir Sopori – KSS Faridabad

Advisors & Promoters
Shri Ashwani Bhat – Kashmir Bhawan, Khargar
Texas Kashmiri Biradari (TKB) – Houston
Shri Moti Kaul – Mumbai
Shri R. K. Mattoo – Kashmir Bhawan, Bengaluru
Dr. Roop Krishen Bhat – Kashmir Cultural Trust
Shri Dillip Matto – J K V M
Shri Ajay Pandita

We sincerely appreciate their guidance, support, and dedication toward preserving and promoting the spiritual and cultural legacy of Lalleshwari.

09/16/2026

We are grateful to share some heartfelt testimonials from our community members, leaders, and respected seniors.

Your kind words, appreciation, and encouragement inspire KOA to continue doing more for our community and strengthen the bonds that bring us together.

Our Annual KOA Camp was a wonderful success, made possible by the support, participation, and enthusiasm of our KOA family. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making it such a memorable gathering.

We look forward to many more opportunities to come together, celebrate our community, and create meaningful memories in the months ahead.

🙏 Thank you to our entire KOA family for your continued love and support.

09/14/2026

Namaskar,

On the solemn occasion of the death anniversary of Shaheed Tika Lal Taploo ji, also observed as Balidaan Diwas, KOA joins the community in remembering and honoring the brave souls who sacrificed their lives during the years of turmoil and exodus in Jammu & Kashmir.

Today, our community came together to observe Balidaan Diwas at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Cultural Center in Livermore, California. We were honored by the presence of Shri Ashutosh Taploo ji, son of Shaheed Tika Lal Taploo ji, and his family. Ashutosh ji lit the diya and paid heartfelt tribute to our martyrs.

To mark the occasion, the first Tree of Remembrance was planted at the Mata Kheer Bhawani Cultural Center, dedicated to the memory of our martyrs. This tree will stand as a living symbol of their sacrifice, courage, resilience, and our collective remembrance for generations to come.

May we continue to honor our heroes, preserve their memory, and ensure that their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.

Shradhanjali to all our martyrs. 🙏
Om Shanti.

09/04/2026

Namaskar! 🙏

We are so excited and looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow for an unforgettable Labor Day Weekend at Camp Sierra! 🌲🏕️

Get ready for four wonderful days to celebrate our heritage, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, enjoy the beauty of nature, and create lasting memories together.

Our mornings will be filled with activities and movement, afternoons spent enjoying the lake and outdoors, and evenings bringing everyone together for fun, conversations, and celebrations.

This year, we are also excited to introduce the first-ever Kashmiri Football Cup, featuring teams Vwazul Olu and Lyodur Chaman. It will be a fun and spirited addition to our camp weekend!

Additionally, we will have a special pre-screening of the movie Rovmut, written and directed by Villohit Kaul.

📅 Dates: September 4–7, 2026
📍 Location: Camp Sierra, Big Creek, CA

Everything on the itinerary is an invitation—participate as much or as little as you like and enjoy the weekend at your own pace.

We can’t wait to spend this special weekend together as a community.

See you all tomorrow!

08/31/2026

Namaskar! 🙏

We are excited to announce a Special KOA Membership Campaign, effective immediately through December 31, 2026!

Under this special campaign, eligible members will have the opportunity to direct 50% of their membership fee toward a KOA program of their choice, making their membership even more meaningful. ❤️

Who is eligible?
This special opportunity applies to:

New KOA members who are not currently active members.

Existing annual members who upgrade to a Life Membership or move to a new membership type.

Please note that this campaign does not apply to existing Life Members or regular annual auto-renewals.

Choose a Program Close to Your Heart
You can choose to support:

Sponsor A Child (SAC)

Education Assistance Program (EAP)

Medical Emergency Fund

Family Sustenance Program

Heritage Preservation Program

Youth Program

Kheer Bhawani Cultural Center, USA

When completing your new membership or upgrading your membership type, you will have the option to select the program you would like 50% of your membership fee to support.

🗳️ Important Reminder – August 31
To be eligible to vote this year, please ensure your eligible membership is completed by August 31, 2026.

Help Us Reach Our Community! 🤝
Please reach out to your friends and families in our community who are not currently KOA members. Encourage them to join, reconnect with our community, and make an impact by supporting a cause that matters to them.

Join. Choose your cause. Make an impact. ❤️

Become a KOA member—or upgrade your membership—today and help us strengthen our community together! 🙏

https://www.koausa.org/pricing-plans/list

08/17/2026

KOA members visited the magnificent Akshardham Temple in New Jersey during the annual camp hosted in Princeton. We all enjoyed a guided tour of this remarkable landmark of Hindu architecture, spirituality, and culture, making it a truly memorable experience for everyone.

During the visit, KOA President - Uphaar Kotru had the opportunity to address the gathering from the stage. In his remarks, he shared a brief introduction to the Kashmiri Pandit community—our rich cultural and spiritual heritage, our resilience in preserving our traditions despite displacement, and our continued efforts to keep our history and identity alive for future generations. He also reflected on the inspiring experience of visiting Akshardham and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to the KOA members.

akshardhamusa : https://www.instagram.com/reels/Da-UMwCiT_h/

08/16/2026

The Kashmiri Food Fest at the San Jose Independence Day Parade was a tremendous success! 🇮🇳🌸

This was a proud moment for the Kashmiri Pandit community in the Bay Area as we came together to share the rich flavors, traditions, and cultural heritage of Kashmir with the wider community. Beyond celebrating our heritage, the event also helped raise awareness and support for the Kheer Bhawani USA Center in Livermore. Kheer Bhawani USA

The success of this event would not have been possible without the incredible dedication of the volunteers, who worked tirelessly over the past several months. Their hard work, commitment, and passion truly brought this event to life and reflected the warmth and unity of our community.

A sincere thank you to The Avanti Foundation and IACF for organizing this wonderful event, and to everyone who volunteered, supported, and visited the booth. Your encouragement and participation made this celebration a memorable success. Together, we continue to preserve our heritage, strengthen our community, and inspire future generations. 🙏❤️

If you'd like to support Kheer Bhawani USA Center in Livermore, please consider making a donation:
https://www.kheerbhawaniusa.org/donate-page

Every contribution, big or small, helps us build a lasting cultural and spiritual home for our community. Thank you for your support! 🙏

08/15/2026

08/10/2026

Namaskar! 🙏

Don't miss your chance to take advantage of Early Bird Registration, available through August 15!

📅 Dates: September 4–7, 2026
📍 Location: Camp Sierra, Big Creek, CA

⭐ Registration Steps
Step 1: Register for the Camp
Your registration includes meals, entertainment, sightseeing, and all camp activities (accommodation is booked separately).

🎟️ Early Bird Pricing (through August 15)

Adults (14+): $250

Children (7–13): $125

Children (6 & Under): Free

Regular Pricing (after August 15)

Adults (14+): $275

Children (7–13): $135

Children (6 & Under): Free

💙 KOA Lifetime Member Discount
Lifetime KOA Members receive a $50 discount per reservation.

Use the code below during registration:
Member Code: KOALIFEDISCOUNT2026

💳 Save on Processing Fees
Select "Manual Payment" during checkout and complete your payment via Zelle or check. Once payment is made, please email [email protected] so we can finalize your registration.

🏡 Step 2: Reserve Your Accommodation
Accommodation is not included with camp registration and must be booked separately. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to reserve early.

🚌 Step 3: Interested in the Group Bus?
We're exploring a group bus from the Bay Area (one central pickup location). If you're interested in traveling with the community, please complete the interest survey.

We can't wait to welcome you and your family to the KOA West Coast Annual Camp 2026!
google.com/url?q=https://www.koausa.org/events/koa-west-coast-camp-2026-sep-4-7&source=gmail&ust=1786419205995000&usg=AOvVaw0BWGOQUw40vqIYLoyYffuL

https://www.koausa.org/book-accommodation #/search

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6Xodh4H0D302oyostDv5UZNBSnFbYTgyE7ss9PsrN7tjnBQ/viewform