HAPPY DIWALI!

TIRUVACAKAM MUTTRODAL 2013

In December 2011, the newly constructed Satsang Mandap at Sri Gnanananda Niketan was consecrated and inaugurated with the chanting of Tiruvacakam, called ‘Tiruvacakam Muttrodal’, performed by over a hundred devotees of Lord Siva. It was a joyful event, a Gnana Yajna which charged the atmosphere with finest and exalted spiritual vibrations of the content of the devotional hymns. 

It was such a great experience that all felt Muttrodal could take place every year in the Tamil month of Kartikai, the sacred month when Deepam festival takes place at Arunachala, just before the commencement of the month of Margazhi when Saivaite hyms are sung early morning throughout Tamil Nadu. 

In the month of Margazhi, Aradhana celebrations of Sadguru Gnanananda also take place. He was very fond of Tiruvacakam hymns. 

Eagerly looking forward to the celebration of the forth-coming events, expressing our reverence to the sacred Arunachala and to Sadguru Gnanananda, and invoking their Presence and Blessings in our lives, Tiruvacakam Muttrodal will take place this year on Sunday, the 24th November 2013 (8th of Kartikai month). The one day function will be conducted under the graceful guidance of Pujya Sri Swami Omkarananda Saraswati of Swami Chidbhavananda Ashram at Theni, Pujya Sri Swami Nityananda Giri and Pujya Sri Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati.

The chanting will be performed from 9 AM to 5 PM by more than a hundred Sivan-adiyars (devotees of Lord Siva) from and around Tiruchirapalli and from East Tambaram, Chennai.

The program will be same as in the previous years. It will include Sandana kappu alankara of Sri Somaskanda (Lord Siva, Sri Parvati Devi and Sri Subrahmanya) seated on Rishabha. In front, will be the four Saivite saints, Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manickavacakar also in Sandana kappu alankara.

All are welcome to attend the Muttrodal

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NAVARATRI

Navaratri went off very well at Niketan.

On Friday during Navaratri festival, Swamiji visited Pudukottai to be with Swami Omkaranandaji at Sri Bhuvaneswari Peetham.

On Saraswati Puja day, Sri Kamalamba Navavarana Kirtanas of Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar were rendered at Ananda Kutir by Smt. Ranganayaki of Bangalore.

Saraswati pooja was performed invoking Her in the books of Prasthana traya and pooja was offered in a traditional manner.

On the next day, Swami Nityananda Giri explained the significance of Vijayadasami and after the chanting of Sri Dakshinamoorthi Ashtaka the first Paragraph of Adhyasa Bhashya of Sri Shankara was read and its meaning explained by Swamiji.

VISIT OF PUJYASRI SWAMI GOVINDANANDA SARASWATI

Yesterday we received with great happiness the visit of Swami Govindananda Saraswati and Brahmachari Ramji at Sri Gnanananda Niketan.

Swami Govindananda Saraswati is a direct and prominent disciple of Maharajsri Swami Akhandananda Saraswati of Vrindavan. We had the good fortune of his company and satsang for four years at Niketan.

It was with great joy that we received him in his lighting visit to South India.

VISIT OF PUJYASRI SWAMI OMKARANANDA SARASWATI

On 22nd September 2013 Pujyasri Swami Omkarananda Saraswati blessed us with his visit and short stay at Thapovanam.

We were very happy to receive him and enjoy his satsang.

Pujya Swami Omkarananda is an outstanding Teacher of Vedanta known for his eloquence in Tamil and Sanskrit. His ability to present the most intricate topics of Vedanta in and easily understandable manner has won him a large following. 

Sri Swamiji is an authority on Tirukkural, a great admirer of Manickavacagar, Saint Tayumananavar and Mahakavi Sri Subramanya Bharati. A unique feature of Sri Swamiji’s classes is the spontaneous flow of quotations from the Vedas as well as Tamil texts like Tirumandiram and Kaivalya Navaneetam.

Swami Omkarananda is the head of Sri Swami Chidbhavananda Ashram at Theni. At present he also is the Peethadipathi of Sadguru Santananda Swamigal of Sri Bhuvaneshwari Avadhuta Vidya Peetham, Pudukkottai.

After his visit to Niketan Swamiji proceeded to Chennai were he is to conduct a series of lectures from 25th Septemer to 8th October.

DAINIK SEVA SCHEME

As suggested by many devotees, a “Dainik Seva” scheme has been introduced by which one may, by way of donation, sponsor one day’s expenses of Niketan, including food expenses. 

It could be on any date of the devotee’s choice like birthday, wedding anniversary etc. and in the name specified by the donor. 

Contribution towards DAINIK SEVA for one day is Rs. 3000/-

You may send your contributions in favour of Sri Gnanananda Niketan (A/C Payee) by way of Cheque, Demand Drafts (on State Bank of India, Tirukoyilur) and Online Transfer. For Online Transfers contact us for details to gniketan.office@gmail.com.

Donations to Sri Gnanananda Niketan are exempted from income tax under section 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act.

When you send a contribution we request you to provide all your details (name, address and e-mail, etc.)  to enable us to send you the receipt and prasad.

VYASA PUJA

MONDAY 22ND JULY 2013

Vyasa Puja was very well celebrated at Niketan. In South India, Vyasa Puja is the sacred day on which homage is paid to the Guru Parampara in a traditional manner. It is also celebrated as Guru Purnima in various Ashrams.

Vyasa Puja is of particular importance to us at Sri Gnanananda Niketan, as we are dedicated to the study of Adhyatma Vidya, and therefore to the service of Brahma Vidya tradition and Sannyasins

It also marks the commencement of Chaturmasya, a period of retreat for Sannyasins.

The puja was performed by Swami Nityananda Giri assisted by one Yajur Veda Pundit and two Rig Veda Pundits in an elaborate manner.

Read Kanchi Paramacharya's article on Vyasa Puja and Chaturmasya of Sannyasins

SWAMIJI'S VARDANTI

MONDAY 27TH MAY 2013

Some devotees were keen of conducting japa and homas on the day of Swamiji’s birthday to pray for his good health and longevity. Sri Rudra Ekadasini Homa, Vardhanti Homa, Nakshatra Homa, Navagraha Homa and Avahanti Homa were performed on that day by eleven Vedic pundits.

Kumaris Vishnupriya and Radhika performed parayana of Devi Mahatmya on that occasion at Swamiji’s kutir.

SANKARA JAYANTI

WEDNESDAY 15TH MAY 2013

Sankara Jayanti is an important day in the Brahma Vidya tradition as Adi Sankara emphasized the importance of the teaching of the Upanishads as the way to self-realization. He wrote the bhashyas for the main Upanishads, Gita and Brahma Sutras. Several prakarana granthas which are very useful for study of Vedanta are also attributed to him. The Upanishads teach the unique methodology of superimposition and negation, thereby leading to the realization of Brahman, the Ultimate Reality, as the Substratum of all phenomena, which is the goal of human life. Sankara also revived the Vedic culture laying the foundation for Hindu religion as we see today.

Parayana of Krishna Yajur Veda was performed for 4 days from 16 April to 19th April 2013 by four Vedic pundits.
                                                                                              

AKSHAYA TRITIYA

MONDAY, 13TH MAY 2013

Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious day on which many good things are supposed to have occurred according to our Puranas. “Akshaya” means “never diminishing”.

Nowadays there is a huge rush on this day in gold and jewelery shops. But in tradition, Akshaya Tritiya is a day on which special importance is given to dana or gifting away without expecting any return or recognition. It’s a virtue to be cultivated replacing the usual normal habit of hoarding. Of all such danas, annadana or gifting of food is considered to be the best.

From last year 2012, the seva of Annadana on Akshaya Tritiya day is done at Sri Gnanananda Niketan. It will be continued every year. This year 200 people from surrounding villages were fed.

THAIPUSAM DAY

SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2013 - THAIPUSAM DAY

In the Tamil month of Thai (January/February), on the day with Pusam star, Thaipusam festival takes place to commemorate the occasion when according to the puranas, Parvati gave to Murugan the "Vel" (spear) to vanquish the demon Soorapadman.

The spear simbolizes gnanam (knowledge) and the demon simbolizes the ignorance of one's own Self.

This festival is asociated with Subrahmania or Murugan. It is also considered to be a special day for the siddhas. 

The festival is often celebrated by offering annadana. On that day, Sri Gnanananda Niketan offered annadana to the children and people of the nearby villages.