Mahā Ganapathi Homam & 108 Conch Abhishékam

As you may be aware, our Temple has embarked upon an ambitious project for the construction of Rajagopurams for Sri Murugan and Sri Venkateswarā above the roof, completion of the Rājagopurams at the base on the ground for Sri Ganeshā, Sri Murugan and Sri Venkateswarā. Additionally, granite addition to Ganesha altar, a decorative Vasal (Entrance) for Sri Shiva, decorative pillars in the Mantapam, granite floors and granite walls are also planned for. The idea is to complete them prior to the commencement of Kumbabhishékam function next year.

   The start of any venture begins with the worship of Lord Ganesa, in the  Hindu tradition. Accordingly, in order to kick start the Kumbabhishékam activities so that the event proceeds smoothly, as the very activity, the Temple plans on performing a Mahā Ganapathi Homam and 108 Conch Abhishékam for Sri Ganesā on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 8:00 AM. The function will be officiated by Dr. Sivasri Pitchai Gurukkal, Chief Priest of the famous Pillayārpatti Temple in Tamil Nadu, India. The schedule of events is as follows:

08:00 AM: Anugyai
08:15 AM: Sankalpam, Ganapathi Pujā, Punyākavāchanam
09:00 AM: Kalasa Pujā, 108 Conch Pujā
09:30 AM: Ganapathi Homam
11:30 AM: Moolavar Abhishékam, Special Pujā

We cordially invite everyone of you to attend the function with family and friends in this important event and partake the blessings of Sri Varasiddhi Vinayakar. The sponsorship amount is fixed at $51.00 for the function. Please contact the Office for your bookings. 

Annual 10-Day Sri Venkateswara Brahmothsavam begins on 13 August 2011

We are delighted to inform you that the Annual 10-day Sri Venkateswara Perumāl Brahmothsavam begins on Saturday, August 13, 2011 with the Initial Rites ("Purvāngam"), followed by the Flag-hoisting ceremony on Sunday, August 14, 2011. Daily Sthambha Pujā, Yāga Pujā, & procession of Lord Venkateswara in various Vāhanā are daily features of the Brahmothsavam. The Chariot festival is slated for Sunday, August 21^st with De-hoisting of the Flag on August 22^nd, 2011. Mark your calendar for this important event and ensure you are present with your family and friends on all days!

Full details are available at our Website at http://www.thehindutemple.ca.

All are cordially invited. We look forward to your presence with family and friends.

Special 108-Kalasa Abhishékam & Trisathi Homam for Lord Muruga on July 24, 2011

We are pleased to inform you that, on the occasion of Adi Krthigai on Sunday, July 24, 2011 starting at 8:30 AM, a special 108-Kalasa Abhishekam and Moola Manthra Trisathi Homam will be performed for Lord Subramaniya. The special feature will be a talk in Tamil by Pulavar Kannan, a Trustee of the famous Sri Kalikambāl Temple of Chennai, India. He will give a discourse on 'Muruga's Greatness' ('முருகனின் பெருமை') . Devotees are cordially invited to participate in large numbers in this function and partake the blessings of Goddess Valli, Devasena Samedha Sri Subramaniyā.

10-day Annual Sivan Alankāra Uthsavam begins on July 21, 2011

We are pleased to inform you that the Annual 10-day Alankaara Uthsavam of Sri Chandramouleeswarar (Lord Sivā) & Sri Thripurasundari (Goddess Pārvathi) will be held between July 21st & 30th, 2011. In addition to daily Abhishékam and Vasantha Mantapa Alankāra Pujā, there will be procession of Sri Sivā and Sri Pārvathi to the accompaniment of traditional Nathaswaram music. Golden chariot festival will be a special feature on July 28th, with the Theertham and Unjal festival on the July 29th. You are cordially invited to participate in this event with your friends and family and partake the blessings of Sri Sivā and Sri Pārvathi.

Annual Sri Murugan Mahothsavam begins on June 23, 2011 at Richmond Hill Hindu Temple, Canada

Dear Devotees & Friends:

Following the successful conclusion of Sri Ganesa Mahothsavam a few weeks earlier, we are pleased to inform you that our Temple is all set to conduct the Annual 15-day Sri Subramaniya Swāmi (Sri Murugā) Mahothsavam Festival starting off with the Flag Hoisting ceremony on Thursday, June 23rd at 11:00 AM. The Chariot Festival is slated for Wednesday, July 6th. The De-hoisting of the Flag is on the same day as 'Theertham' and is on July 7th. Daily Abhishekam, Yāga Pujā, Sthamba Pujā, Vasantha Mantapa Pujā, Procession of Sri Murugā in various Vāhanās to the accompaniment of traditional Nādaswaram music, in the mornings and evenings, are daily features of the Mahothsavam.

Please mark your calendar for this important event and make sure you are present with your family and friends on all days and partake the blessings of Sri Murugā.

Full schedule of events is available at our Website at www.thehindutemple.ca. Devotees desiring to sponsor any of the events are kindly requested to contact the Temple office at 905-883 9109.

Please feel free to forward this email to your friends and relatives who may benefit from the above information.

With best regards,
Webmaster - The Hindu Temple Society of Canada

Sri Ārudhra Dharshan - 21 Dec 2010

The pre-dawn hours of the full moon night, in the month with the longest nights in the year, marks the auspicious time for Ārudhrā Darshan - of Lord Natarājā in Saivite temples all over world. This year, Ārudhrā Darshan falls on Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010. Needless to mention, our temple has grand plans to celebrate this auspicious occasion with special Abhishekam, Puja to Lord Natarāja and His consort Sivakami, followed by Lord's Procession with His Consort.

Falling on the day of Thiruvādirai star (also known as Ārudhrā ) in the Tamil month of Mārghazhi, is one of the two stars that have the prefix “Thiru.” The other is Thiruvonam, favoured for worship of Sri Vishnu. Thiruvadirai is favoured for Shiva. In Sirghāzhi (Tamil Nadu, India) this day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Saint Thirugnāna Sambandar and the day when that saint, while a baby, was breastfed by Sri Parvati. In Thirupperundurai (Tamil Nadu, India), the day is observed as the birthday of Saint Manickavāchakar.

Arudhra designates a golden red flame, representing Lord Siva Himself. It is in the form of light that the Lord performs His functions of creation, protection, destruction and concealment. In the Tamil month of Marghazhi, on the day when Thiruvadirai star and new moon coincide, we celebrate the ecstatic dance of Lord Siva. In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), a great Abhishekam is performed to the Lord on Thiruvadirai day. A delicious, sweet food preparation, known as Kali, is offered to the Lord and distributed as Prasad to all. Obtaining this Prasad connotes the devotees’ attainment of bliss.

In Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu, India), which houses one of the greatest temples for Lord Nataraja on this planet, Mārgazhi Bhramothsavam, or annual festival is celebrated with great fervor for a period of 10 days. Hundreds of thousands of devotees congregate from all over the world to witness the climax of this festival, which happens on the day of Arudhra Darshan. The cosmic Dance of Siva is enacted later that afternoon, featuring the revered images of Nataraja and Sivakami decked in regal finery. The images are then taken back to the innermost sanctum.

Chidambaram houses one of the Pancha Sabhas or the five cosmic Dance Halls of Lord Siva - Kanakasabha. The other four are Velli Sabha ("The Hall of Silver") at Madurai (Tamil Nadu, India), Ratnasabha ("The Hall of Rubies") at Tiruvalankadu (Tamil Nadu, India), Tamrasabha (The Hall of Copper) at Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu, India), and Chitrasabha (The Hall of Artwork) at Kutralam (Tamil Nadu, India).

Arudhra Darshan at Tiruvālankādu (Tamil Nadu, India) enshrining Lord Natarājā in the Oordhva Taandava posture, is the grandest festival here. The Velli Sabhai ("Silver Hall") at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple at Madurai, bears a stone image of Nataraja and a festival image, both with their right foot raised (in response to pleas by a Pandiya ruler, who was appalled by the thought of Nataraja's right foot becoming weary thanks to his constant dance, with his left foot raised.)

The Periya Sabhapati shrine, the Sandana Sabhapati shrine are scenes of festivity at the Nellaiappar temple during Arudhra Darshan. The festive image of Nataraja is housed in the ornate Tamra Sabha, and the Cosmic Dance of Siva is enacted on the occasion. At Kutraalam (Tamil Nadu, India), the festival image of Nataraja is taken from the Kutralanaathar temple to the Chitra Sabha, and the Thāndava Deepa Arādhanā is performed there.

Arudra Darshan festival at Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu, India) has been referred to in the hymns of the Thevaram saints (7th century). Also mentioned in the Poompāvai Patikam of Tirugnānasambandar are the Arudra Darshan celebrations in the Tirumayilai Shivastalam of Kapaaleeswarar temple in the heart of Chennai (Tamil Nadu, India).

Please be part of this very auspicious occasion with your friends and family, at our temple this year. The Abhishekam will be performed at 5:00 AM (you read it correctly - 5:00 in the morning) on Dec 21^st, followed by Arudhra Darshan at 8:00 AM and Sri Nataraja Procession shortly thereafter. Remember, this event happens just once a year, and should not be missed. We cordially request you to participate in the event, with family and friends and partake the blessings of the Lord Nataraja & Lord Sivagami.

The schedule of events is as follows:

05:00 AM: Thiruppalli Ezhuchchi
05:15 AM: Navakalasa Abhishekam
07:30: Music Concert by Sri Kaarai Punniyamurthi
08:00 AM: Thiruvembavai Puja, Arudhra Dharshan, Procession of Lord Nataraja and Lord Sivagami to the accompaniment of traditional Nadaswaram music.

We cordially request you to participate in the event, with family and friends and partake the blessings of the Lord.
Please feel free to forward this email to your friends and relatives who may benefit from the above information. Follow the events at the Temple Website at www.thehindutemple.ca.

With best regards,
Webmaster - The Hindu Temple Society of Canada

Sri Vaikunda Ekādasi - 16 Dec 2010

We are pleased to inform you that Sri Vaikunda Ekādasi will be celebrated in a grand manner, with a 24-hour event which includes 'Swarga Vāsal' (Entrance to Swargā) starting Thursday, Dec 16, 2010. In addition to religious events, cultural events are scheduled throughout the day and night. The schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, 16^th December 2010 - Morning
Suprabhātam - 5:00 AM
Sri Venkateswarā (Moolavar) Abhishékam, Pujā - 5:30 AM
Thiruvārādhanam - 7:00 AM
Vasantha Mantapa Pujā - 7:30 AM
Sri Venkateswara, Sri Devi, Bhu Devi Procession - 8:00 AM
Sri Venkateswara Arrives at Swarga Vāsal - 8:30 AM
Swarga Vaasal Pujā - 8:40 AM
Devotees walk through Swarga Vāsal, Distribution of Prasādam - 8:45 AM
Evening Schedule
Bhajans, Recitation of Slokās & Pasurams, Music throughout the whole night
Special Nādaswara Music Cencert - 6:30 PM
Swarga Vāsal Puja, Vasantha Mantapa Pujā - 8:30 PM
Carnatic Music Recital by Sow. Vaaraki Wijayaraj & Party - 9:30 PM
Carnatic Music Recital by Sow. Vidhya Vivekanandan - 10:30 PM
Carnatic Music Recital by Sow. Saibrinda Sanmugaraja & Party - 11:30 PM
Friday, 17^th December 2010 - Morning
Carnatic Music Recital by Master Adithya Narasimhan & Party - 12:30 AM
Carnatic Music Recital by Sow. Amruthavāsini Nagularājā & Party - 01:30 AM
Carnatic Music Recital by Master Mayuran Dananjayan & Party - 02:00 AM
Bhajan by Members of ISKCON - 03:00 AM
Suprabhatham - 05:00 AM
Sri Venkateswara Pujā - 05:30 AM

Additionally, there will be recitation of Divya Prabandam and Bhajans throughout the day and night.

Pradhana Bhattachariar: Sriman Gopala Bhattar
Assisted by: Sriman Govidarajan Bhattar
Temple Priests: Sivasri Ketheeswaranatha Gurukkal, Sivasri Surendra Gurukkal,
Sivasri Umaramana Gurukkal, Sivasankara Sarma

We cordially request you to participate in the event, with family and friends and partake the blessings of the Lord.