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.

TIRUVACAKAM MUTRODAL

SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER 2012 

“Tiruvachakam Muttrodal” took place on Sunday the 2nd December 2012. It was a joyful event that charged all of us as well as the Ashram atmosphere with wonderful energy and vibrations.

About 120 devotees of Lord Siva from Tiruchirapalli and from East Tambaram participated in it and rendered Thiruvacakam with great feeling. There was substantial increase in the number of local participants from Tirukoyilur and neighboring villages.

As in the previous year, the event developed in a harmonious and smooth sequence. The previous day, the sthapatis came and shaped the murtis of Somaskanda –Lord Siva, Sri Parvati and Sri Subramanya - and also of the four Saivaite saints – Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar - out of banana tree stems and sandalwood paste. The decoration of the murtis was also excellent. An elaborate abhisheka of a Sivalinga was performed during the parayana.

It was very well coordinated by Sri Ambalavanan under the guidance of Pujya Sri Omkarananda Saraswati Swamigal. Swami Nityananda Giri, Swami Brahmavidyananda Saraswati, Swami Suddhabrahmananda, Swami Ishwarananda and Sri Ramakrishnan of Rishikesh were present throughout the recital. It was attended by more than 200 people .

ALANGUDI RADHAKALYANAM 2011 - ANUGRAHA BHASHANAM