NewsLetter-39

February – March 2014 Newsletter

5 years ago by SVBF

Temple Events in February – March

Ratha Saptami

Ratha Saptami was celebrated on February 5th. It marks the seventh day following the sun’s northerly movement (Uttarayana). Aruna Prashna from the Taittriya āranyaka was recited and Surya Namaskara was performed.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri was celebrated in a grand manner in the temple from the evening of February 27th through the dawn of February 28th. The prathamakāla pūjā started with the chanting of mahānyāsam, followed by chanting of the sacred hymn Sri Rudram 11 times (ekādaśa rudra pārāyaṇam). While the hymn was chanted, abhiṣeka was performed to Lord Chandramouleeśvara using milk, curd, coconut water etc. This was followed by a grand kalaśābhiṣeka, when the sacred waters from 108 kalaśās was used to perform the abhiṣeka. The first kāla pūjā ended with Shiva bhajans, archana and ārti.

Upcoming Events

1. Saint Thyagaraja Day at Sri Bharati Teertha Community Hall — Sunday, March 30th

The annual Thyagaraja Day will be held on March 30th, starting at 10 a.m. at the Community Hall. Pancharatna kritis will be rendered by music teachers and students of the tri-state area. There will also be thematic group rendition of Saint Thyagaraja’s kritis by the teachers and their students. For more details, please go through event announcement.

2.Ugadi — Monday, March 31st

Ugadi will be celebrated on March 31st. This day will mark the start of Jaya nāma samvatsarā.

3. Vardanti of the Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswami — Saturday, April 5th

Whereas an individual’s birthday is celebrated within a family and close friends, the birthday of world leaders is celebrated globally. The Jagadguru is not an ordinary world leader but a spiritual one! So this day is celebrated with much piety and gratitude by all his followers. This is a distinct feature of our religion and heritage where we hold our Gurus in such high esteem.

The 64th Jayanti of the Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswamiji will be celebrated on Saturday, April 5th. Ayushya homam, Mrutyunja homam, Viraja homam and Avahanti homam will be performed. Pāduka pūjā will be performed after a procession of the Jagadguru’s portrait along with recitation of Veda and Upanishad concludes. Sponsorship details are available in the event flyer

4. Sri Rama Navami — Tuesday, April 8th

Sri Rama is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He represents the ideals of both a son and a king. As a son he was absolutely devoted to his parents. He symbolized adherence to one’s father’s words as the ultimate truth, never to be transgressed; even in the face of great hardship to oneself. As a king, he represented his citizens with utmost honor, sincerity ,and trust. The word Ramarajya has come to symbolize perfection!

On April 8th, Sri Rama Navami will be celebrated in the temple. Sita Rama Kalayana mahotsava will start at 5 p.m. For more details, please refer to the event flyer.