| Album |
Description |
| Guru Purnima 2008 Thursday July 17, 2008 |
Guru Purnima 2008 was notable for many reasons. The purnima landed on a Thursday which is Guru's day. It was the 10th Guru Purnima since the pratistha of the temple. It was the first year that the festivities were held in the new hall beside which is the new Parasurama Raudra Lingam. And it falled on the 17th, where 1 + 7 = 8 which is the Guru's number. It was also very auspicious because a crystal pendant with Aiya and Amma's padukas was released. The festival commenced at 3pm with Amma and Aiya's arrival. After they did a brief puja to their Guru Lineage inside the temple, the community puja to Aiya and Amma was held in the new auditorium. The shodasa upachara puja was a combination of Rudram and Durga Suktam with Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and Chandi Navakshari, with alternating chanting by men and women. Dance and singing were interspersed within the puja as an upachara. The program ended with several skits by the Tamil Class students and the release of the crystal pendant and a special Guru Purnima Malar. Aiya and Amma shared insightful comments and then famous Nadaswaram masters lead a wonderful concert while the crowd offered a pada pushpanjali to Aiya and Amma. The night ended with a delicious Maha Prasadam. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2008 Day 3 |
Dattatreya Homam and Dattatreya Alankara Uttsavam, May 18,2008 |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2008 Day 2 |
Annapavadai for Devi, Alankaram and Chapparam, May 17,2008 |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2008 Day 1 |
Maha Ganapathy Puja and Homam and Maha Ganapathy Alankara Uttsavam, May 16 |
|
| Shivaratri March 5, 2008 |
This years Maha Shivaratri was unique from past years in that it was the first time that devotees performed Abhishekham to all Shiva Lingams with real Rudraksha seeds and “Vilva” leaves. In addition to that 108 Valampuri shankus, right-handed chonch shells Stapanam & Abhishekham have been performed for Shivaratri. These were filled with special tirtham, durva grass, flowers and other sacred ingredients and then worshiped prior to commencing an all night abhishekham with Ganapathi, Navagrahas, and Rudra Homams. In between each Rudram, there was Sahasranama Archana for Shiva. |
|
| Tiruvempavai Monday December 24, 2007 |
|
|
| Raja Matangi Homam Sunday December 30, 2007 |
For the third year in a row, the children of the temple organized and performed a Raja Matangi Homam with grand success. |
|
| Skanda Shasti Vratham November 10-15, 2007 |
|
|
| Kedara Gowri Vratham Friday November 9, 2007 |
|
|
| Karthika Deepam Friday November 23, 2007 |
In celebration of Karthika Deepam, volunteers lit 1008 deepams around a central Shiva Lingam with ashta (8) dig lingams in the eight cardinal directions around the main Shiva Lingam. Devotees visualized the great mountain Arunachalam in Tiruvanamalai, Tamil Nadu, India which is considered to be a Shiva Lingam. The annual festival at Arunachalam is renowned for ceremoniously lighting a massive deepam on the mountain peak on this purnima night which is visible for many miles and stays lit for weeks. The 8 directional lingams were also a representation of the ashta dig lingams around Arunachalam. Because this purnima also coincided with Satya Sai Baba's 82nd Birthday, the devotees sang bhajans with each of the 16 upacharas offered to the lingams throughout the puja. |
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 12 Monday October 22, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 11 Sunday October 21, 2007 Dwaja Avaharohanam |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 11 Sunday October 21, 2007 Kasi New Shiva Lingams |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 11 Sunday October 21, 2007 Water Cutting Ceremony |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 10 Saturday October 20, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 9 Friday October 19, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 6 Tuesday October 16, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 5 Monday October 15, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 4 Sunday October 14, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 3 Saturday October 13, 2007 |
On the third night of Navaratri Durga Devi is carried in procession around the temple. |
|
| Navaratri 2007 Day 1 Thursday October 11, 2007 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2007 |
This year's pujas for Navaratri are focused on Raja Shyamala, Maha Varahi and Shodasi. The Navaratri Malar for this year also features a compilation of pujas and stotras for the Devis, called The Bow and Arrow compiled by Sri Atmananda Natha. |
|
| Wandering Horses Visit Temple Friday October 5, 2007 |
The Friday afternoon during noon time puja, the day after the Dwaja Arohanam, a group of wandering horses visited the temple. Recently Ashvarudha, who is in charge of Devi's horses, had been installed at one of the trees on the temple property so the temple felt especially blessed by their visit. One of the horses entered the yagna shala and circumambulated the homa kundam and ate some apples. Because the temple used to be a barn with horses, we knew they felt at home. There were six horses, 2 white, 2 black and 2 brown. They stayed for about 45 minutes, visited Ashvarudha's tree and then left. They were not accompanied by any people and came and left on their own. In the 9 years since the temple was installed in 1998, this is the first time that wandering horses have visited the temple. |
|
| Navaratri 2007 Dwaja Arohanam Thursday October 4, 2007 |
|
|
| Vinayaka Chathurthi September 15, 2007 |
|
|
| Vara Lakshmi Vratham August 2007 |
|
|
| Guru Purnima 2007- Sunday July 29, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 3 - Dattatreya Alankara Uttsavam Sunday May 20, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 3 - Dattatreya Homam Sunday May 20, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 3 - Valampuri Shanku Abhishekham Sunday May 20, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 2 - Alankaram and Chapparam for Devi Saturday May 19, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 2 - Annapavadai for Devi Saturday May 19, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 2 - Kalasa Stapanam Saturday May 19, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 2 - Chandi Homam Saturday May 19, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 1 - Maha Ganapathy Alankara Uttsavam Friday May 18, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 1 - Flute Concert by Shashank and Ensemble Friday May 18, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 1 - Maha Ganapathy Puja and Homam Friday May 18, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 1 - Arrival of Vishnu Durga Friday May 18, 2007 |
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2007 Day 1 - Dig Devata Stapanam Friday May 18, 2007 |
|
|
| Maha Pratyingira Homam April 15, 2007 |
Due to a snow storm, this years annual event was held inside in the yajna shala. 70 KGS of red chillis were offered to Maha Pratyingira Devi by all present. |
|
| Tamil New Years April 14, 2007 |
|
|
| Shivaratri February 15, 2007 |
This years Maha Shivaratri was unique from past years in that it was the first time that devotees assembled the temple's rare collection of 1,000 valampuri shankus, right-handed chonch shells for Shivaratri. These were filled with special tirtham, durva grass, flowers and other sacred ingredients and then worshiped prior to commencing an all night abhishekham. |
|
| Thai Pongal January 14 2007 |
Thai Pongal, Shankaranthi, was held on a Sunday morning with the exact time of Pongal at 10:17am. A large brass Kalasam was placed on top of a kolam in front of the decorative Sri Chakra at the temple entrance. With Aiya out of town Balananda (Shankar) commenced Suryanarayana puja as the pot was placed on the burner. Everyone placed a handful of uncooked rice grains into the pot after the milk had boiled over, auspiciously to the Northeast direction at first. This South Indian and Sri Lankan festival is in celebration of and praise to Lord Surya to bless the land with grains and abundance. |
|
| Arudhra Darshan January 3 2007 |
Arudhra Darshan was celebrated on January 3 commencing at 5am. This marked the completion of the 10 day Nataraja festival Tiruvempavai. All devotees present were able to participate in the maha abhishekham and singing of the devotional songs.
Throughout the 10 day festival Aiya told stories of Saints from Tiruvanamalai and Chidambaram after completing the pre-dawn pujas. Between each stanza of the devotional songs recited during the early morning puja, devotees performed pancha upachara puja to Nataraja and Shivakamasundari. |
|
| Skanda Shasti November 2006 |
|
|
| Swaprakashananda Guru Garu's Samadhi in Anakapalle |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Final Blessings 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Sahasrakshi 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Distributing Merus 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Kalasa Abhishekham 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Purnahuti 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Kamakhya Peetham 2 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 4 Kolam 2 February 2007 |
The kolam decorating the entrances to the Sri Meru temple on the final day, many with fresh flowers, were spectacular. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Musicians 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Hanging Out 1 February 2007 |
The open air cafeteria set up under the trees near the Sri Meru temple was the perfect spot to hang out, drink tea and chat with all the other sri vidya upasakas who had travelled from near and far. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Guruji and Guruji Amma 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Maha Shodasi Homam 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Ritviks 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Sata Meru Puja 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Kamakhya Peetham 1 February 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 3 Sahasrakshi 1 February 2007 |
On the third day, Sahasrakshi manifested Varahi swaroopam. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Musicians 31January 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Ritviks 31January 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Sata Meru Puja 31January 2007 |
|
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Aiya and Amma at Shivalayam 31January 2007 |
Climbing up the steps with Aiya and Amma to the Shivalayam with a group of Rochester temple devotees. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Kamakhya Peetham 31January 2007 |
After Guruji lead the early morning puja to the Khadga Mala Devis of the Sri Meru Temple, Aiya and Amma lead a puja at Kamakhya Peetham. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 2 Sahasrakshi 31January 2007 |
On the second day, Sahasrakshi took the stunning form of Raja Shyamala with green skin and a beautiful green parrot. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Musicians 30January 2007 |
At the end of each day all the devotees were treated to a world class line up of musicians. The sound system carried the beautiful melodies throughout Devipuram, so that the upasakas could enjoy from wherever they were meditating, resting or doing seva. Also, during the daily pujas various Nada Swaram experts performed throughout the events. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Nemili Bala Peethadipathy's Arrival 30January 2007 |
When the Peethadipathy of Nemili Bala arrived with a bus load of 40 family members and upasakas on the first evening of the Maha Khumbha Abhishekham, we were all thrilled. Aiya considers them the living presence of Sri Bala Tripurasundari, so it could not be a greater blessing to welcome them all the way from Nemili, near Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. This was their first visit to Devipuram and they were given the grand tour of the Sri Meru Temple and Kamakhya Peetham by Aiya, Amma and a group of devotees. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Aiya and Amma's Arrival 30January 2007 |
When Aiya and Amma arrived in Devipuram they were greeted with open arms and full regalia. They were lead in procession around the Sri Meru temple, around the Ritviks by the Yajna Shala who were starting to energize the Kalasams, and then spiriling up the Sri Meru temple where Guruji had just completed the first day's Sata Meru puja. After doing full pranams to Guruji, they proceeded to have darshan of Sahasrakshi in the Bindu stanam who had taken Maha Ganapathy swaroopam. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Sata Meru Puja 30January 2007 |
On the first day of the Maha Kumbha Abhishekham, a six foot square wooden meru was installed with 100 merus which were worshipped each day with Sri Chakra Navavarana Puja. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Khadga Mala Devi Puja 30January 2007 |
Each morning at 6am throughout the four days of the Maha Kumbha Abhishekham, all who were present were invited to sit in front of any of the 108 Khadga Mala Devis in the Sri Meru Temple and perform the specific puja of that day as lead by Guruji over the loudspeaker as he himself performed the puja on the ground floor of the Sri Meru temple. On the first day, upasakas were lead in Ganapathy Tarpanam and Ganapathy Avarana puja. Upasakas were given milk, puja patrams and all the basic requirenments to perform the pujas by the volunteers. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Sahasrakshi 30January 2007 |
Each day of the Maha Kumbha Abhishekham, Sahasrakshi took a different form. On Day 1 she was decorated with chandanam in the form of Maha Ganapathy. |
|
| Devipuram Maha Kumbha Abhishekham Day 1 Ritviks 30January 2007 |
On the first day of the Maha Kumbha Abhishekham in Devipuram, 18 Ritviks and the chief priest Acharya Yanamandra Venugopala Sastry lead Guruji and Guruji Amma in a sankalpam and commenced the establishment of the 1,000 kalasams. |
|
| Raja Matangi Homam - December 31, 2006 |
This year the children of the temple organized a Raja Matangi Homam on the last day of the year. Over 50 children participated, from arranging all the offerings to making the purnahutis and sitting at the homam. The homam was structured as six recitations of the Sri Sukta Vidhanam with Raja Matangi Mula Mantra after each stanza of the Sri Suktam. Thus, 8-10 children were able to sit around the homam and offer dravyams for each recitation of Sri Suktam. It was a remarkable event which the devotees will remember for a long time to come. |
|
| Kedara Gowri Vratharambam 2006 - Oct 21, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 12 Oct 3, 2006 Kulirththi |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 11 Oct 2, 2006 Dwaja Avaharohanam |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 11 Oct 2, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 10 Oct 1, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 9 Sept 30, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 8 Sept 29, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 7 Sept 28, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 6 Sept 27, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 5 Sept 26, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 4 Sept 25, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 3 Sept 24, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 2 Sept 23, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 - Day 1 Sept 22, 2006 |
|
|
| Navaratri 2006 Dwaja Arohanam |
|
|
| Vinayaka Chaturthi 2006 - August 27, 2006 |
|
|
| Guru Purnima 2006- Monday July 10, 2006 |
Srividya Temple Society (SVTS) Family of Aiya & Amma’s disciples celebrated the auspicious and most sacred Guru Purnima Day on Monday the 10th July 2006, an occasion which every one looks forward to for a whole year to pay their homage and offer gratitude at the Divine Lotus Feet of their Guru. This year the theme was SRI DATTATREYA, the Kula Guru of the Srividya Upaasakas and the Guru Parampara (Guru Lineage). A display of Guru Parampara pictures adorned the walls behind the Nayanmaars with simple but beautiful decorations. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Dattatreya Procession Sunday May 21, 2006 |
The final event of the three day festival was the Dattatreya procession lead by the children. Due to the cold weather, the procession remained indoors as the children pulled Dattatreya around the yajna shala in the new ratham. This was the first year that a specially constructed ratham for Dattatreya was built by the children with some help from senior members of the community. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Nadaswaram and Thavil Concert Saturday May 20, 2006 |
On Saturday evening, the devotees were treated to a Nadaswaram and Thavil concert by Sri Subhan Kasim and Sri Subhan Babu (Nadaswaram - Grandsons and disciples of Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana) and Sri. S. Senthil Kumar (Thavil). The musicians were also present throughout the festival on all three days. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Concert by Sowmya Sunday May 21, 2006 |
The famous Carnatic vocalist Srimathy S. Sowmya performed on Sunday evening accompanied by Sri Neyveli R. Narayanan (Mridangam) and Sri R.K. Sriramkumar (violin). The artists performed melodious renditions of classical and light music, including an original composition on Sri Chaitanyananda. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Kalasa Stapanam and Abhishekham Saturday May 20, 2006 |
Each morning of the festival a kalasa stapanam was performed along with recitation of the pancha suktams. In keeping with the tradition of the temple, everyone was invited to personally perform Abhishekham with milk and the shanku tirtham to the Mula Stanam and the Maha Meru. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Chapparam Procession Saturday May 20, 2006 |
The evening festivities started at 6pm with Devi Alankaram followed by the Chapparam Procession. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Anna Pavadai Saturday May 20, 2006 |
Each year on the 2nd day of the festival, the devotees have been following a tradition of offering a "skirt of rice" or Anna Pavadai to the Devi. The Rajarajeshwari uttsava murti is raised in the center of the temple, before the Dvaja Stambam, and fully clothed in beautifully designed patterns of rice and curry. After the feast for the eyes, all of the devotees present are offered this Maha Prasadam. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- 1008 Valampuri Shanku Abhishekham Sunday May 21, 2006 |
The last day of the festival commenced at 9:00am with the Sri Dattatreya Uttsavam that included a 1008 right handed conch (valampuri shankhu) Abhishekam. Last year was the first time that this scale of event was performed, and the 1008 shankus were arranged in the form of Maha Vishnu. In keeping with the belief that Devi prefers variety, the devotees this year arranged the 1008 valampuri shankus in the form of the shat chakras. This was a breath taking sight to behold. Connecting the shat chakras were three rows of shankus representing the ida, pingala and sushumna channels. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Chandi Homam Saturday May 20, 2006 |
On Saturday morning, May 20th, starting at 5am the devotees performed a Chandi Homam. As is the tradition at the temple, elaborate purnahutis were offered after each of the thirteen chapters, including a sari, petticoat and blouse piece in colors coordinating with the particular chapter, along with bangles, a gold mangala sutram, fruits associated with the specific chapter and other various herbs and offerings. At the conclusion of the Chandi Homam, Aiya lead the devotees in a Sri Vidya Navavarana Homam before offering Bali. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006- Flute Concert Friday May 19, 2006 |
On Friday evening, May 19th devotees were treated to a flute recital by a trio of master flutists; Dr. N Ramani, Sri R Thiagarajan (Dr. N Ramani's son) & Sri Athul Kumar (Dr. N Ramani's grandson). They were accompanied on Mridangam by Sri Srimushnam V Raja Rao and Karthik Venkataraman on Kanjira. |
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006-Maha Ganapathi Alankara Uttsavam Friday May 19, 2006 |
On Friday morning, May 19th the annual prathistha festival commenced at 9:00 am with the usual welcoming ceremony for Sri Vishnu Durga as She arrived from St. Catherine's, Canada.
The day's celebrations included Vancha Kalpa Maha Ganapathi Homam followed by the Pancha Suktha Abhishekam to the Devi.
In the evening, following a flute concert, Aiya led the Maha Ganapathi Alankara Uttsavam, culminating in Ganapathi taken around the temple in procession.
|
|
| Annual Prathistha Festival 2006-Deities |
The devotees were busy decorating and dressing all of the Deities in their finest regalia for the annual Prathistha Festival celebrated on May 19-21, 2006. |
|
| Maha Pratyingira Homam April 16, 2006 |
On Sunday, April 16, 2006 at 2pm in the afternoon, Aiya led a large group of devotees in a Maha Pratyingira Homam for the "benefit and welfare of all the devotees." A new homam pit 45" square and 45" deep was dug in the back lot of the property past Kasi. Thankfully it was a sunny day and the weather cooperated to make this an unprecedented outdoor event. Because the homam coincided with the holiday weekend and Tamil New Year, there was a large crowd which was able to attend the Sunday afternoon homam. All devotees were invited to sponsor a bhakshanam and we had approx 28 different bhakshanams. We also added over 35 kgs of red chilis and unknown quantities of ghee. Everyone felt Her presence and Aiya also confirmed later that Maha Pratyingira was present in Her soumyam svarupam. |
|
| Shivaratri February 25, 2006 |
This year Shivaratri fell on a Saturday night Pradosham which was doubly auspicious. This timing also allowed for many devotees from far away to be present at the temple for the all night rituals. As Aiya pointed out in his talk, each year it seems that a new murti arrives in time for Shivaratri. Last year was the Nayanmars and a large Ganapati. This year a beautiful Dakshinamurti arrived who will be seated on the Southern side of the Maha Meru facing South. In fact the prana prathistha was completed by all present as Aiya led us in ritually "opening the eyes" of Dakshinamurti. The night was packed with non-stop rituals to keep sleep at bay, as we chanted Eka Dasa Rudram with a 45 minute bhajan break between the 7th and 8th recitation. After completing the chanting with shanka abhishekham, we carried the main Kalasams in procession to complete the Maha Abhishekham. We then performed homam while chanting the Shiva and Turiya Sahasranams with alternating namams while devotees circumambulated the temple offering bilva leaves to 11 different shiva lingam stations around the temple and yagna shala. Lastly we chanted several ashtotarams, giving everyone present a chance to sit before the shiva lingams and perform bilva archanam with pancha upachara puja. After performing the final pancha upachara puja at the mula stanam, the festival finished at around 6:30 am. |
|
| Pongal January 14 2006 |
This year Pongal fell on the day following Arudhra Darshan. Because it was a Saturday, many devotees were able to travel from far to attend the festivities. After the milky water overflowed in the Northern direction, all the devotees present were invited to add grains to the boiling pot to make the sweet rice. |
|
| Arudhra Darshan January 13 2006 |
Arudhra Darshan was celebrated on Friday morning, January 13 commencing at 5am. This marked the completion of the 10 day Nataraja festival Tiruvempavai. All devotees present were able to participate in the maha abhishekham and singing of the devotional songs. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Bhajans |
Navaratri 2005: While many bhajan sessions were enjoyed throughout Navaratri, the favorite for Aiya was on Thursday night, October 12 at the end of Vijayadasami due to the special company of the Nadaswaram player who accompanied Aiya as though he had played with him for years. |
|
| Prathosha Vratham October 14, 2005 |
Prathosha Vratham, Friday night after the morning's Kulirththi Abhishekham ending Navaratri, October 14, 2005. |
|
| Kedara Gowri Vratharambam 2005 |
Kedara Gowri Vratharambam commenced on Vijayadasami night, October 12, 2005. The festival lasts for 21 days until November 1 after Divali. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Water Cutting Ceremony |
Navaratri 2005: Water Cutting Ceremony, October 13, 2005. The day after Vijayadasami we carried all the Uttsava murthis who had gone in procession during the Navaratri Festival down to Kasi for the water cutting ceremony. First Aiya did a special puja to the river and then we did full abhishekham to all the Uttsava murthis by the Kasi Lingam, eventually submerging all of the Uttsava murthis in the river. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Chariot Festival |
Navaratri 2005: Chariot Festival. After seven years of waiting, finally the specially commissioned wooden panels hand carved in South India arrived in time to decorate the Chariot. These panels were affixed to all sides of the Ratham and tell the story of the temple and the Guru lineage in hand carved teak relief miniature carvings. The Rajarajeshwari Uttsava murthi rode in the Chariott with Aiya and Vishuncle by Her side, while the ladies carried the new Vishnu Durga Uttsava murthi in front of the Ratham. This completed the morning puja on Vijayadasami, Wednesday, October 12, 2005. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Chandi Homam |
Navaratri 2005: Chandi Homam was performed on the morning of Vijayadasami starting at 4:30 am on October 12, 2005. The Chandi Homam was concluded with Sri Chakra Homam and Lalitha Sahasranama Homam for Shodasi, the last of the Dasa Maha Vidyas we worshipped during the ten days of Navaratri. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Sri Saraswati Day 9 |
Navaratri 2005: On the 9th evening of Navaratri, Rajarajeshwari's Uttsava murthi was taken around the temple in procession as Sri Saraswati, October 11, 2005. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Nitya Puja |
Navaratri 2005: Morning Puja including Kalasa Stapanam, Homam, Procession and Abhishekham. Over the ten days of Navaratri, one day was dedicated to each of the Dasa Maha Vidyas by performing Sahasranama Namavalih Homam for that day's Vidya. The sequence of the Dasa Maha Vidyas was: Tara, Kali, Chinnamasta (Day 3 Durga Procession in the evening), Bhagalamukhi, Bhuvaneshwari, Kamala (Day 6 Lakshmi Procession in the evening), Dhumavati, Bhairavi, Matangi (Day 9 Saraswati procession in the evening) and Shodasi (Vijayadasami-Chariot Festival). |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Sri Durga Day 3 |
Navaratri 2005: Sri Durga Procession Day 3, October 5, 2005. |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Navaratri Kalasam Vijayadasami |
Navaratri Kalasam: Procession and Abhishekham on Vijayadasami, October 12, 2005 |
|
| Navaratri 2005 Dwaja Arohanam |
Raising of the flag for the Navaratri 2005 Festival, September 26, 2005. |
|
| Vinayaga Chadurthi |
Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival Ganesha Chaturthi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha and falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of 'Bhadrapada' (August - September). Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated throughout India, as well as by the devoted Hindus all across of the world. Lord Ganesha-The Lord Of Power And Wisdom
|
|
| Nitya Kala Devis' |
"The chakra of the letters of the alphabet is based upon time and so is identical with the sidereal zodiac." - Tantraraja Tantra The Nityas or Eternities of Lalita represent the fifteen lunar days or tithis of the waxing Moon. ...More details are inside of the album under "Description of Nitya kala Devis" |
|
| 1998-May Prathistapana |
|
|
Śrí Vidya Temple | 6980 / 6970 East River Road, RUSH, New York, 14543 | Telephone: 585-533-1970 | E-Mail: info@srividya.org |
