Thursday, April 9, 2009

Vishu Celebrations: Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple: April 19, 2009

Dear Devotees,
Swami Saranam!

We will have Abhisekham followed by Bhajans and Aarathi to celebrate Vishu at our Shiva Vishnu temple in Livermore on Sunday, April 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please spread the word around to your friends.

Vishu is a New Year festival held in the state of Kerala, south India (and adjoining areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu). This occasion signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha (Mesha Raasi as per Indian astrology). The word "Vishu" in Sanskrit means "equal". Therefore Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days. The festival is marked with offerings to the divine called Vishukkani. The offerings consist of a ritual arrangement in the puja room of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers konna, and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called uruli. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside. This arrangement is completed the previous night. On the day of Vishu, the custom is to wake up at dawn and go to the puja room with the eyes closed so that the Vishukkani is the first thing one sees. Devotees throng the well-known temples like Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a "Vishukkani Kazhcha" on the early hours of "Vishu" day.

Program Details:
5 PM: Sankalpam, Abhishekam, and Archana
5:45 PM: Bhajan Starts
7 PM: Bhajan Ends with Aarti and Teertha Prasadam

Suggested Donations
Archana: $7
Abhisekham: $51

Swami Saranam!
Prasad Ramakrishnan

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