Dec 18 2010 - Mala Dharanama & Ayyappa Sahasranama/Laksharchana

The Ayyappa Mandala Season is in full swing at our Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple.

This coming Saturday, the puja and bhajans will start at 4:30 PM to give us extra time to handle kids mala dhaarana. If you have not already given your name, please send an email to ravi.devaraj@gmail.com if you are interested in mala dhaarana for yourself and/or your kid. Girls under the age of 10 and women over the age of 50 can do mala dhaarana and perform Irumudi puja which will be performed at the temple on December 26th at 9:00 AM.

Last weekend (12/11) we had 25-30 kids from Sarada Bhajan Mandali perform bhajans. They sang songs for all the gods and the entire temple was reverberating with the positive vibrations from the songs that the kids were singing.

LAKSHAARCHANA

As you all know, we have introduced the Sahasranama during our weekend bhajans. Our priests are doing a wonderful job in conducting the sahasranama.

If we have a 100 people performing Sahasranama at the same time, it is called a Lakshaarchana. If we have 50 people and we perform the Sahasranama two times, that also constitutes a Lakshaarchana. We request all devoteeds to come this weekend and participate in the Sahasranama so we can try and make it a lakshaarchana. Please note that if husband and wife perform Sahasranama, it counts as two people. Please bring your friends and relatives and ask them to participate in the sahasranama/Lakshaarchana.

A few devotees asked about the meaning of Laksharchana. Laksharchana is "Worship with the recital of a lakh of divine names of a deity." The way we are planning to do it is to have 100 (or more) of our devotees recite the Ayyappa Sahasranamam at the same time along with the priest.

I request all devotees to bring flowers to the temple this weekend.

I have uploaded a copy of the Ayyappa Sahasranamam in all four languages (tamil, telugu, malayalam, and english) to our www.ayyappasamaaj.org web site. You will need to register to the ayyappasamaaj.org site to gain access to the link.


http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/apps/links/

Swami Saranam!
Prasad

Ayyappa Mandala Puja 2010

Ayyappasamaaj of San Francisco Bay Area (http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/) will grandly celebrate its Annual Ayyappa Mandala & Irumudi Puja and Makara Vilakku Puja at the The Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore between Nov 13th and January 16, 2011.

With the grace of Lord Ayyappa we are ready to begin this year's Mandalam season on Nov 13th. We invite you, your family, and your friends to come participate in the planned devotional activities and receive the grace of Lord Ayyappa. If you are planning to wear mala this season to observe viratham and/ or take Irumudi, please let us know in advance.


The months of Kaartika / Vrishchika, Maargazhi / Dhanur are most auspicious for Lord Ayyappa, during which period Mandala Puja is celebrated. Devotees observe traditional austerities (vratham), which normally start from the first day of Kaartika/ Vrishchikam (November 16). Devotees initiate the vratham by wearing a Thulasi or a Rudraksha mala. After 41 days (on December 26th) the devotees end their vratham by carrying Irumudi and removing the mala. (Kids can observe short vratham days by wearing mala on December 18th and end it on December 26th). Irumudi is a cloth bag with two compartments containing offerings for the Lord.

Nov 13 4:30 PM - Mandalam begins with Sankalpam, Mala Dharana, Abishekam, Archana, and Bhajans followed by Dinner Prasadam
Dec 18 4:30 PM Mala Dharana for kids followed by Bhajans and Aarathi
Nov 20, 27, Dec 4, 11 5:00 PM - Weekly Bhajan and Sahasranamam followed by Aarti
Dec 26 9 AM - Mandalam ends with Irumudi Puja, Abishekam, Archana, and Bhajans followed by Lunch Prasadam
January 16, 2011: 4:30 PM: Ayyappa Makara Vilakku Puja with Sankalpam, Abhishekam, Archana, Bhajans followed by Dinner Prasadam




This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn Ayyappa bhajans and sing them during the Puja. We will be performing Irumudi Puja on December 26th. Last year we had over 30 Ayyappas do the Irumudi Puja (including over 10 children)

- Please participate with your family on Nov 13 and Dec 26
- Please bring your children to learn Ayyappa bhajans on Saturdays (Nov 20, 27, Dec 4, 11)
- Please forward this email with the attached flyer to at least five of your friends and family. Ask them to sign for Ayyappasamaaj Yahoo Groups. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join)
- If you are interested in taking vrutham (deeksha) this year, please contact us immediately. We can provide you with Thulasi Mala to begin your vrutham. Several other activities are planned as well and we'll update you as we go along.

Please help spread the word by forwarding this to your friends.For more information, please visit the temple web site at http://livermoretemple.org/

For information call: Prasad Ramakrishnan (408) 705-8172, Ravi Shankar (650) 302-3612, Sudhakar Deevi (925) 518-4521, Manoj Empranthiri (408) 309-0695, Usha Namboodri (925) 803-1249

http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/

To join our mailing list, please sign up for our Yahoo Group (groups.yahoo.com/group/ayyappasamaaj/join)

Common Elements Used in Hindu Puja

Common Elements Used in Hindu Puja

This article contains a brief explanation of some common puja items and their usage in a puja ceremony. The list given below, by no means, is an exhaustive one and can be suitably supplemented with further details. Its main objective is to create a general understanding of these puja items and their relevance in a puja ceremony:

PUJA LAMP OR DIYA

By lighting lamp in puja ceremony, we pray that our life is filled with the light of divine grace and wisdom. Burning of ghee or oil signifies that we should burn our negative tendencies (वासना VASNAS) in order to purify our hearts. As ego is the root cause of many human problems, a burning wick teaches us to gradually diminish our ego and serve others with humility. We notice that a lamp always burns upwards. It gives us the message that we should acquire all those qualities which are necessary for a steady and upward progress in our spiritual life.

DHOOPBATTI, AGARBATTI (INCENSE) AND KAPOOR (CAMPHOR)

Burning of these items during puja ceremony emits nice fragrance. These items burn themselves out for making the whole environment peaceful and nice. It teaches us that we should also be ready to burn (sacrifice) our ego in order to spread the perfume of love and compassion for all.

FLOWERS AND FRUITS

Flowers signify beauty, purity, softness and fragrance. They also signify sweetness as bees make honey from their pollen. By offering flowers we pray to God for the beauty and purity of our minds. We also pray for the sweetness in our thoughts, speech and actions so that the fragrance of our good conduct reaches out to other people.
We are all bound by the law of karma. We reap the fruits of our past deeds. These karmic fruits keep us in the cycle of births and deaths. By offering fruits we pray to God to free us from the fruits of our actions, good or bad, that we performed in this life or past lives.

WATER

Water signifies purity. It is kept in a copper vessel during puja ceremony. Later, it is offered as (चरणामृत CHARNAMRIT) to the devotees. By drinking ‘charnamrit’ we pray for the purity of our heart, body and mind. This holy water is also sprinkled all over the place to spread the divine vibrations which it had absorbed during the ceremony.
It is important to understand the significance of water-kalash in a puja ceremony. In mythological churning of ocean by (देव DEVAS) and (असुर ASURS), one of the findings was a kalash filled with (अमृत AMRIT) (nectar of immortality). The water filled in the kalash for puja symbolizes the elixir of life, soul which is immortal. This water has to be pure, preferably Ganga jal (water from the Ganges) or the one obtained from a running stream.

RICE

The unbroken rice used in puja ceremony is called ‘akshat.’ It denotes longevity. Rice is placed near the base of the water-kalash. While holy water symbolizes purity in our life, rice brings blessings for a long life. Like water, rice also receives and transmits divine vibrations received during puja ceremony. Sisters use rice as an important ingredient of (तिलक TILAK) (a holy mark on forehead) for wishing long life for their brothers.

COCONUT

Coconut plays a key role in puja ceremony. It is centrally placed on the water-kalash with its tip pointing upwards. The tip attracts holy vibrations and transmits them back into atmosphere in the form of a fountain. The three eyes on coconut remind us about the three-eyed Shiva (त्रियम्बकेश्वर TRIYAMBKESHWAR).
The breaking up of coconut symbolizes the breaking up of our ego (selfishness, false pride). Therefore, by breaking coconut we remind ourselves to come out of our egotism and realize our true spiritual nature. Coconut has a vast number of uses. It is used as an important food ingredient. Water of a tender coconut is rich in minerals and has a soothing effect on us during summer time. Its outer shell and parts find many uses in rural areas. In fact, no part of coconut is considered wasteful. It teaches us to serve others
in every possible way. Considering its religious significance and usefulness, coconut is called (श्रीफल SHREEFAL) meaning God’s fruit.

TULSI LEAVES

TULSI (तुलसी, Basilica or Basil) is the most sacred plant in Hinduism. It is called (हरि प्रिय HARIPRIYA) meaning, someone who is very dear to Lord Vishnu. Therefore, Tulsi embodies Goddess Lakshmi. Tulsi is also known as Vrinda. Vrindavan, meaning forest (van) full of Vrinda, is the place where Shri Krishna danced with Radha Rani and other (गोपियाँ GOPIYAN) (milk maids) in (रास लीला RAAS LEELAS). So in that sense, Tulsi represents Radha Rani. Also, ‘Tulsi-Vivah’ depicts the wedding of Lord Ram and Sitaji. So, Tulsi also represents Sitaji. Tulsi, therefore, is the true representation of goddesses Lakshmi, (राधा रानी RADHA RANI) and (सीताजी SITAJI). Tulsi leaves have medicinal properties for curing many diseases. They are used in the ‘charnamrit’ for receiving blessings of all goddesses.

MANGO LEAVES

Mango is well known for its sweetness and is called the king of all fruits. According to a mythological story, mango leaves signify (अमरत्व AMARATVA) or immortality. With the use of mango leaves in the water-kalash, we remind ourselves for our actions to be always nice and sweet to others. Mango leaves also serve to remind us that we should not forget the ultimate goal of human life: to strive for receiving ‘amartava’ or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.

BETEL (PAAN) LEAVES

Betel leaves (पान PAAN) are a symbol of freshness and prosperity. It is customary to offer paan as a mark of hospitality. If used in moderation, paan leaves are useful for human digestive system. They kill germs and bacteria and are useful in curing cold. A mythological story portrays paan leaves as (मृतुन्जय संजीवनी MRITUNJAY SANJEEVANI), thus highlighting their usefulness to human beings. Paan leaves are used in puja ceremony for receiving blessings for good health and prosperity in life.

ARECA NUTS (SUPARI)

Areca nuts (सुपारी SUPARI) symbolize strength and blessings for a long life. The use of supari together with paan leaves in puja ceremony is symbolic of our desire to receive blessings for a life full of strength, longevity, good health and prosperity. As supari has a hard shell, by offering it in puja, we surrender our hard, coarse qualities to God and pray for only pure and helpful qualities.

MILK

Milk is a sign of peace and tranquility. Milk is the first food that a mother gives to her baby. So it is associated with motherly love. It is an important ingredient of ‘panchamrit’ (the blessed food). It is also used in Lord Shiva’s Abhishekam (Shivji’s puja).

KESAR (SAFFRON)

Kesar is the symbol of (अग्नि AGNI) or fire, the power of God. Sikhs use saffron color in their religious flag to demonstrate their commitment to fight injustice. Hindu, Jain and Buddhist monks use kesaria robes as a mark of renunciation of worldly life. Therefore, kesar is both a symbol of strength as well as of renunciation for spiritual pursuits.

SANDALWOOD

Sandalwood is well known for its aroma and cooling effect on human body. Sandal incense sticks are an important puja item. Kesar and sandal paste is used in worshiping deities especially for ‘mastak-abhishek’ or applying tilak on the forehead of sacred idols.

HONEY

Honey is one of the five ingredients of panchamrit. The sweetness of honey reminds us to be nice and sweet to others in our speech, thoughts and actions. It is rich with many minerals and supplements which are important for our nourishment.

KUMKUM (VERMILLION)

Kumkum stands for our emotions and inner wisdom. The use of kumkum in puja reminds us to use our wisdom with equanimity so that our thoughts and emotions do not overpower us.

HALDI POWDER (TURMERIC)

Haldi (turmeric) is a common spice used in Indian cooking. It is also a sign of purity and is thus an important part of the puja ceremony. It is also used in ‘haldi-ceremony’ in weddings. Haldi is well known for its great medicinal value for general wellbeing as well as for the treatment of some incurable diseases.

PRASAD (BLESSED FOOD)

Prasad is the blessed food that has been offered to God during puja. The food becomes infused with the deity’s prana energy. Hence the name prasad, which literally means the bestower of eternal life. A specially prepared prasad called PANCHAMRIT (पंचामृत five nectars), which is made of five components: milk (cow milk is preferred), yoghurt, sugar, ghee (clarified butter) and honey. Later, this food is offered to all the devotees. With the distribution of prasad, we convey God’s blessings to everyone. When we eat prasad, we thank God for these blessings.

Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple Mahakumbhabhishekam

The Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple will be celebrating its Maha Kumbhabhishekam between June 16-20, 2010.

Significance of Mahakumbhabhishekam

Though temples are built in the best traditional design with good materials, there may be portions of the temple which need renovation or repair after some time. Such renovations are usually done once in twelve years when Mahakumbhaabhishekams are performed by the devotees to renew their dedication to the temple and to re-vitalize their connection to the divine.

During such Mahakumbhabhishekams, the power of the temple deities is temporarily transferred by the priests to the kumbhas. These kumbhas are placed in the hall of ritualistic worship (Yagashala), where daily worship and rituals as well as special rituals are performed. During this period, the main sanctums and shrines are cleaned and renovated.

This is also the occasion for installing new vigrahas, brass kalashas on the gopuras, and any other special items in the temple. The new vigrahas are sanctified by purificatory rituals with water, milk Venkateshwara have separate Dhwajasthambhas , as laid down in the Agamas (religious texts). As an integral part of the Dhwajasthambha complex, the vehicles for each deity (Nandi for Shiva and Garuda for Vishnu) are situated facing the respective deity.

The three entities stand in line facing the and other ingredients, followed by netronmelana (eye-opening ceremony) for the new vigrahas, homas, and the ritual offering of cooked food. After the installation is completed, the divine energy is transferred back to the moola vigrahas of the temple as well as to the new vigrahas and kalashas by performing the Mahakumbhaabhishekam with the water from the kumbhas accompanied by the chanting of special mantras.

For more details pease visit

http://www.livermoretemple.org/hints/MKA2010/index.htm

2010 Vishu Celebrations: Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple

Dear Devotees,
Swami Saranam!

We will have Abhisekham followed by Bhajans and Aarathi to celebrate Vishu at our Shiva Vishnu temple in Livermore on Saturday, April 17 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 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 Raasi as per Indian astrological calculations. The day is marked with offerings 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 holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku alongside. 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 see throng the well-known temples like Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple and Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple to have a
"Vishukkani Kazhcha" on the early hours of "Vishu" day.

Click here to read more about the significance of Vishu.

Program Details:
5:00 PM: Sankalpam, Abhishekam
5:30 PM: Thalapolli
5:45 PM: Bhajan Starts
7:00 PM: Bhajan Ends followed by Archana, Aarti and Teertha Prasadam

Please join Ayyappasamaaj (http://www.ayyappasamaaj.org/) and our mailing list on Yahoo(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ayyappasamaaj/join) to get notified of Lord Ayyappa's pujas in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Swami Saranam!
Prasad Ramakrishnan