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.

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