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