Sri Rama Navami Celebrations at Srimatam – 13th April 2008

Sri Rama Navami is a day of Celebration of the glory of Lord Rama, who, as Man, was an exemplar of "many and rare" virtues.Rama Navami will be celebrated at Srimatam on 13th April 2008.

Sri Rama Shadakshari Homam and Sri Rama Aavarana Puja and Homa will be performed on the 13th. Pattabishekam and Sanskhepa Ramayana Homam will be performed on the 14th April 2008

Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust to conduct Poorthi Exams

Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust will conduct annual poorthi exams in all the Four Vedas between May 2nd and 4th at Sankaralayam, Mayor Ramanathan Road, Chetpet, Chennai. Eligible Vedic Students are expected to participate from various states. Generally, exams are conducted twice a year, during Sankara Jayanti and Sarada Navaratri

'Sanatana Samskriti ' - Spiritual Training camp to be conducted in Kanchi

Sanatana Samskriti - a Spiritual Training camp for parents , is being organized from May 9th for a week at the Sri Sankara College of Arts & Science campus, Enathur, Kanchipuram. Training with practical explanations/ demonstrations will be given by competent scholars on various subjects.

The last date of application is 23.4.08 and interested persons may contact Dr. V B Rishikesh (Tel 044- 27223476) or Sri N Rama Sarma, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam (Tel 044 -37290060, Mob. 94434 05965).

Sankara Jayanti Celebrations and Devi Mahatmyam – Book release programme – 8 May 08, Chennai

Sri Sankara Jayanti will be celebrated by Adi Sankara Advaita Research Centre at Sankaralayam on Thursday, 8th May 2008 at 6.30 pm. Prof. N Veezhinathan, former Head of the Dept. of Sanskrit, University of Madras, will deliver a talk on Adi Sankara.

On the occasion, "Devi Mahatmyam" (Slokas with lucid commentary written by Sri N Hariharan of Madurai) will be released by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipati Jagadguru Sri HH. Jayendra Saraswati Swamiji. Justice N.V. Balasubramaniam, Former Judge, Madras High Court, will receive the first copy. All are welcome.

• Sunday 6 April at Sri Agatheeswarar Temle, on Arcot Road, Kesavardini.
• Sunday 8 June at Sakthi Vinayagar temple, Beracah Road, Kilpauk.

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust (Regd), (LDSFT) Chennai is organising TEMPLE CLEANING PROGRAMME On Sunday, 13th April, 2008 (Tamil New Year's Day) from 8:00 am to 12:00 Noon. At: Agatheeswarar Velveeswarar Temple (Arcot Road , next to Kesavardini,) Valasarawakkam, Chennai

Volunteers of LDSFT will be cleaning the temple in the forenoon. Sponsors for Banners, More Volunteers are needed. All are Welcome to join For Details please contact:
LDSFT ­ 24760556 / 9444381476
www.Lokadharma.org

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust in association with REACH FOUNDATION cleaned the Baleeswarar Temple, Alapakkam on sunday 17th February. The photos are available in a Picasa gallery The next cleaning of same temple is on sunday 2nd March.

29th Feb 08
1.30 pm - Kamakshi temple Brahmotsavam Special
23.30 pm - Retelecast

6th March 08
8am - Discourse by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji on the eve of
Sivarathri followed by Kshetra Darsanam - Kamakoti Peetam
9 pm - Re-telecast
1.30 pm - Ekambareswarar Temple

7th March 08
1.30 am - Ekambareswarar Temple (Retelecast)

Veda Dharmasastra Paripalana Sabha is conducting the 59th Veda Sammelanam at Reddyrayar kulam keelkarai, Ramamandiram, Kumbakonam from 28 to 30 March 2008.

Programme:

28th March 08, Friday
8 am:	Sri Vigneswara Puja, Sri Vedavyasa Puja
8.30 - 11 am:	Rig, Krishna Yajur, Shukla Yajur, Samaveda Parayanam, Pradakshina Namaskaram
2.30 - 4 pm:	Veda Parayanam
4 pm:	Discourse "Stree dharma in Vedas" by Brahmasri E B Rangaraja Iyengar
6.30 - 7 pm:	Sri Vedavyasa Puja, Mangalacharanam, Swasti
7 pm:	Discourse "Anushtanas in the Vedas, and present scenario" by Mullaivasal Sri R Krishnamurthy Sastrigal
29th March 08, Saturday
7.30 am:	Vedavyasa Puja
8.30 to 11 and 2.30 - 4 pm:	Veda Parayanam
4 pm:	Discourse by Brahmasri V R Seetarama Ganapadigal
6.30 - 7 pm:	Sri Vedavyasa Puja, Mangalacharanam, Swasti
7 pm:	Discourse "Guru-Sishya Bhava in the Vedas" by Sri A Sivaramakrishna Sastrigal
30th March 08, Sunday
7.30 am:	Vedavyasa Puja
8 to 10 am:	Veda Parayanam
8.30 - 9.30 am:	Aavahanti Homam
10 am:	Discourse - "Regular and special dharmas" by Brahmasri G Vasudeva Ganapadigal
2.30 pm:	Kalvaita Vaaram - Exam
4.30 pm:	Aashirvadam, PRadakshina Namaskaram, Svasti, Sambhavana, Goshasanti

Advaita Sabha, Kumbakonam is organizing the 132nd Vidvat Sadas in March 2008 at Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sankaracharya Swamigal Srimatam, Kumbakonam Branch.

Endowment Lectures:

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust, Chennai

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Adya Sankara Mandir, Near Veer Savarkar Statue, Sarasbaug, Pune 411030 (Tel 24336650)

• Mahaabhishek and archana will be performed to Lord Nataraja and Devi Sivakamasundari on Tuesday, 19th February, 2008 at 9 am
• Deepa Puja has been arranged on 20th February at 6 pm at the temple premises on the occasion of Maasi Pournima. All Suvasinias are requested to join Puja with contribution of Rs. 50 per head and also bring Deep(Samai), Plate, Argya cup and Aarti Stand(Plate)
• Mahashivaratri Mahotsav will be celebrated on 6th March 2008 in the Temple from 5 pm to 11 pm. Rudrabhishek and sankalp puja will be performed on the occasion.

With the blessings of Sri Kanchi Acharyas, the Bruhadaranya Upanishad parayanam is being arranged every Shukla Panchami of the month at Sri Sankara Matam, Opp Madley Road Subway, West Mambalam, Chennai. This month's parayanam will be started at 8.00 AM on Monday, 11th Feburary 2008. All devotees are requested to attend and get the benefit of listening to the Upanishad Parayanam.

Location and history:

The sthalam belongs to Nadu Naadu, and is familiarly called as Thirunaamanallur.

While travelling along the Chennai-Trichy highway, after Villupuram and Madapattu, and before Ulundurpet , we reach Thirunaavalur Municipality at Kedilam. From here if we travel left on the opposite side for 2kms along Panruti road, we reach this temple.

This town is the birthplace of Sri Sundarar and the temple is said to have been worshipped by Sri Sukra.

God	--	Bhakthajaneswarar, Thirunaavaleswarar
Goddess	--	Manonmani, Sundaranayaki, Sundarambigai
Sthala tree	--	Naaval
Theertham	--	Gomuki
Sung by	--	Sri Sundarar

Structure and description:

The main tower, rajagopuram has five stages and looks grand and new having been renovated during the spiritual projects undertaken in connection with the Golden jubilee celebrations of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

On the left is the sannidhi of Sri Sundarar with chiplas in hand, a white elephant in front and Paravai and Sangiliar near by. There is a vahana mantap. Urchava deities of Naalvar, Sri Sundarar and his two consorts, Nataraja, Sivakami, Vinayaka, Muruga and Valli- Deivayanai, etc. are seen.

The sanctum of moolavar is quite small and faces east, the Baana of Sivalinga being quite tall. There is also another bigger sivalinga worshipped by Narasingha munaiyar. There are also sannidhis of Polla pillayar, sekkizhar, Naalvar, Arubathu moovar, Valampuri vinayaga, Somaskanda, Arumuga, Yugalingas, and Gajalakshmi. The story of Chandeswarar is being depicted on the walls of the sanctum in the form of sculptures. Thre is a rock edict showing the hymn sung on the sthalam. There is a Sukralinga opposite the statue of Sukrar. The Surya of the Navagraha is seen facing the Moolavar. There are also statues of Bhairavar and Surya.

The sthala tree, Naaval is seen in the outer corridor. There is a separate sanctum for Ambal facing east. Goddess is in the standing posture with four hands. The statue of Dakshinamurthy is worth mentioning-- standing with one hand on the Rishabha and the other hand holding the palm-leaf manuscripts. There is a sannidhi for Varadaraja Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi. Urchava deities of Perumal, Thaayar, Rama, Lakshmana and Sita are seen in front.

Near the temple is situated the mutt of Sri Sundara nayanar. The inner- temple found here is called Thondeecharam. It is learnt from the edicts available on this temple, that this temple has been constructed by Rajadithan, the first son of the first Paranthagan.

Postal address: Sri Bhakthajaneswarar temple, Thirunavalur, Post -607204, Ulundurpet circle, South arcot dist.

Last week of the month of Margazhi is celebrated as Kanu Utsavam at Kamakshi temple and it goes for 7 days. This year it has started on 10th January. On the first day Lord Ganesha only is taken on procession within the temple. The next six days Utsava Kamakshi is taken on procession within the temple except on the day of Kanu (which falls in the month of ‘Thai’, next day to Pongal). On Kanu Pongal evening after performing ‘Go Puja' Sri Utsava Kamakshi is taken out till the end of the road and taken back to Kanu Mandapam within the temple. After return abhishekam is performed simultaneously for Sri Utsava Kamakshi at Kanu Mandapam and Devi Kamakshi at the mulasthanam. ‘Niraimani’ alankaram (Pandal decorated with Vegetables) is done at Utsava Kamakshi Sannidhi.

Message & Blessings from
Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi
His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji

Seven days is a week and fifteen days is one Paksham. A month comprises of two pakshams - Krishna paksham and Sukla paksham. This one month is one day for the Pithru Devatas. For the Pithrus the 12 month of a year becomes 12 days. Hence each and every body has to perform the Pithru karmas for one year. Hence, the rites are divided into four - Masikam, Una Masikam (27 days), Una shanmasikam, Una Apthikam, all these are performed through out the year. Only after performing the Varusha Apthigam for three days at the end of the year a person becomes clean (of theettu). Presently people, unable to perform these rites lasting one year, carry out these rites for 12 days and become clean on thirteenth day. Dakshinayanam ends with Margazhi month. During this month the sky is cloudy. During Dakshinayanam the Sun goes from East to South West and hence the sunlight is less. The nights are long. When Sun goes from East to North West there will be lot sun light. This is called Sankaranthi. After Sankaranthi only we get lot of sunlight. Sankaranthi means full of light. During Dakshinayanam auspicious celebrations like marriages are not performed. During Uththarayanam these could be done in plenty. That is why it is said "Thai pirandhal vazhi pirakkum!." (The month of Thai brings ways and means of doing things!)

Makara Sankaranthi consists of three days. First day is Bhogi. The second day is Pongal which is the day for Puja of Lord Surya and the third is called Mattu Pongal. It is also called Kannupidi. During this day with the feeling that God exists in all cattle and other living beings, cattle are fed on this day. Lord Surya gives us health and bounties. We pray to Lord Surya for bestowing us health and wealth. The cattle help us by doing work for us like drawing vehicles, carrying load wandering all over the place. As these deserve our respects we do puja to these. If we do puja to cow as Gomatha we get the benefit of having performed puja to all Devathas. His Holiness blesses that every body may celebrate this ensuing Sankaranthi by performing pujas and attain the health and wealth and prosperity!

Bruhadaranya Upanishad Parayanam At Sankara Matam, West Mambalam Chennai

With the blessings of Sri Kanchi Acharyas, the Bruhadaranya Upanishad parayanam is being arranged every Shukla Panchami of the month at Sri Sankara Matam, Madley Road, West Mambalam, Chennai.

This month's parayanam will be started at 8.00 AM on Sunday, 13th January 2008. All devotees are requested to attend and get the benefit of listening to the Upanishad Parayanam.

14th Aradhana Mahotsavam of Sri Mahaswamiji performed
4 Jan 2008

The fourteenth Varshika Aradhana of Sri Mahaswamiji was performed in the Adhistana Brindavanam at Srimatam, Kanchipuram, on Friday, 4th January 2008, in the presence of Their Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji.

The Aradhana celebrations began on 30th December 07 and concluded on 4th January 2008. Veda Parayanam, Vidwat Sadas, religious discourses and musical concerts by eminent artists were performed on all days.

Ekadasa Rudra Japam, Veda Parayanam and Special homams were performed on the Aradhana day 7 am onwards and concluded with Poornahuti, Vasordhara and Mahabhishekam. Group singing of Pancharatna Keertanas and Sri Kamakshi Keertanas was rendered.

Their Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji blessed the devotees.

Chaityanya Maha Prabhu Biksha Kendra,
in Chennai, is organising a Mass Chanting
 
Rama Naama Sangirthanam

In association with:
Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust,
Venue : Devi Academy ,
Valasarawakkam- Alapakkam Road,
Valasararwakkam (Near Police Station), Chennai.
Date: Sunday, 23rd December, 2007, at 6 PM to 7 PM

All are Welcome
Contact Details:
LDSFT – 24760556 / 9444381476 www.Lokadharma.org

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah:
The Dharma that you preserve will protect you

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust, Chennai
in Chennai, is organising a Musical Discourse
 
on: Siva Thala Puranam
Thiru Anaikka - Jambukeswaram

By: Smt. Vijaya Lakshmi Rajaram
Venue : At Agatheeswarar, Velveeswarar Temple,
Arcot Road, Valasarawakkam.
Date: Sunday, 6th January, 2008, at 6.30 PM,
All are Welcome
Contact Details: LDSFT – 24760556 / 9444381476
www.Lokadharma.org

Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah:
The Dharma that you preserve will protect you

With the Supreme Grace of the Divine and the Benign Blessings of Their Holiness Sri Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swamijis of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sankara Bhaktha Sabha is organising a VEDA SAMMELANAM at the Kanchi Math in commemoration of 14th Aradhana Celebrations of Paramarcharyal featuring, Chaturveda Parayanam, Varna Kramam, Ghana Swasthi and Discourses on various topics on Vedic subjects. Devotees are cordially invited to participate in the celebrations and receive the Blessings of the Divine Grace and Sri Paramacharyal. This Programme featuring over 100 Veda Pandits is led by Vedic Scholars Sri Vijaya Bhanu Ghanapatigal - Rig Vedam, Sri S.Krishnamurthy Ghanapatigal - Krishna Yajur Vedam, Sri Vijaya Raghava Ghanapatigal - Sukla Yajur Vedam, Sri Krishna Srowthigal - Sama Vedam and Sri K.Seetarama Sastrigal - Atharvavedam.

*PROGRAMME*

January 5th - 8th, 2008 8.00 A.M. TO 11.00 A.M. CHATURVEDA PARAYANAM 3.00 P.M. TO 6.00 P.M. CHATURVEDA PARAYANAM

January 5th - 8th, 2008 7.00 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M. DISCOURSES ON VEDIC SUBJECTS

January 8th, 2008 7.00 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M. HONOURING OF VEDA PANDITS

January 9th - 11th, 2008 8.00 A.M. TO 11.00 A.M. VARNA KRAMAM 3.00 P.M. TO 5.00 P.M. GHANA SWASTHI

January 9th - 10th, 2008 7.00 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M. DISCOURSES ON VEDIC SUBJECTS

January 11th, 2008 7.00 P.M. TO 8.00 P.M. HONOURING OF VEDA PANDITS

For further information contact Vijay Madyastha at vijaymadyastha at yahoo.com (Please replace " at " with "@")

His Holiness Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji, the 68th Pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, regarded as God incarnate and embodiment of Dharma, attained Mahasamadhi on the Krishna Paksha Dwadasi of Tamil month Margazhi in the year 1994.

The fourteenth VARSHIKA ARADHANA of the great Jivanmukta Saint is to be performed at the holy Brindavan at Srimatam, Kanchipuram on Friday, the 4th January 2008. The aradhana celebrations begin from 30th December 2007. Veda Parayana, Veda Vidwat Sadas, religious discourses and musical concerts by leading artists will be held.

Ekadasa Rudra Japa, Veda Parayana and special homas for the welfare of humanity will be conducted on the aradhana day from 7 am. Poornahuti, Vasordhara and Mahabishekam at the Brindavanam will be performed between 12 noon and 12.30 pm. Group singing of Pancharatna keertanas and Sri Kamakshi Keertanas will commence by 9 am. Detailed programme is given below.
 

From 1st Jan 2008 - 4th Jan 2008
Upanyasam on Bhakthavijayam 1 Jan 2008 to 4 Jan 2008	Mahagnichit Vittal Dass Sri R Jayakrishna Deekshitar will perform Upanyasam on Bhakthavijayam from 1 to 4 January 2008 from 7 to 9 pm daily at Sri Mahaswami’s Adhistanam
Cultural Programmes by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Aasthana vidwans 30-12-2007 to 4 –1-2008
30 Dec 2007 Sunday	6.30 pm LAYANADA SAMPARPANAM Sri T H Vikku Vinayakram and Party
31 Dec 2007 Monday	6.30 pm VIOLIN DUET Sri Ganesh & Sri Kumaresh Sri Parupalli Phalgun – Mridangam Sri N Narasimhan – Ghatam Bangalore Sri Arunkumar – Morsing
1 Jan 2008 Tuesday	5.00 pm VEENAI Sri Rajesh Vaidya Sri Karukurichi Mohanaram –Mridangam Sri Karukurichi N Subramanian- Ghatam
2 Jan 2008 Wednesday	5.00 pm TRIPLE TRAYAMBAKA – JANTAVADYA SAMMELANAM Kerala Chandra Artists Sri Mattanur Sankara Marar & Party
3 Jan 2008 Thursday	5.00 pm SAXOPHONE Sri Kadri Gopalnath Kum. A Kanyakumari – Violin Sri Alapuzha R Karunamoorthy – Tavil Sri Bangalore B Rajasekar – Morsing
4 Jan 2008 Friday	9 am ISAI ANJALI GOSHTI GANAM – Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Aasthana Vidwans and other musicinans will render Sri Thyagaraja Pancharatna Keertanas, Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar’s and Sri Syama Sastrigal’s Sri Kamakshi Keertanas, Sahityams by Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral, HH Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal’s Bharajare Gurunatham, HH Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal’s Sri Maithrim Bhajata
4 Jan 2008 Friday	5 pm MANDOLIN DUET Sri U Srinivas and Sri U Rajesh Sri V V Srinivasa Rao – Violin Sri Madirimangalam Swaminathan – Mridangam Sri Vaikom Gopalakrishnan – Ghatam Sri Srirangam Kannan - Morsing

All are invited to participate in the aradhana mahotsavam and receive blessings.

Srikaryam & Agent

Sri Nakshatra Sastra Mahayagna Patrika 23 November 2007 - 28 December 2007

Sri Nakshatra Sastra Mahayagna will take place from 23 November 2007 to 28 December 2007 at Sri Ardhanaareeswarar Temple, 4th Main Road, Nanganallur, Chennai. The yagna begins with Vigneswara Puja on 23rd November at 7.30 am. Chandi Homam will take place on 7th December. The yagna concludes with Poornahuti on 28th December at 7.30 am.

• Musical concerts and discourses will take place daily from 7 pm to 9 pm.
• Upanyasams:
  Periya Puranam by Sengalipuram Brahmasri Damodara Dikshitar from 26.11.07 - 4.12.07
  Srimad Bhagavatam by Vadakudi Brahmasri Sankara Dikshitar from 5.12.07 - 16.12.07

Contact 9840205770 or 9444140457 for more details.

Bhumi Pooja for Annadhana Koodam
At
Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Matam,
Girivalam, Thiruvannamalai
24.11.07

The Bhumi Pooja ceremony for constructing Annadhana Koodam at Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Matam will be held at 9.00AM on Saturday, 24th November 2007. Along with this Ganapathy Homam, Avahanti Homam and Navagraha Homam also will be performed.

The Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Matam is located at about 2 KM on the Girivalam Road of Thiruvannamalai. It is about one km away from Ramanasramam. There is a board indicating the location of Sri Matam at the entrance of Girivalam Road. also

All are requested to participate.

LDSFT Programmes at Shri. Kamakoti Dyana Mandapam, Kamakoti Nagar, Valasarawakkam, Chennai For December 2007

• Mondays 6PM To 7 PM : Classes for Daily Poojas and Rituals at Home : and Home Remedies and Ayurveda.
• Wednesdays : 6 PM to 7 PM : Vishnu Sahasranamam Classes .
• Fridays : 6 PM to 7 PM : Lalitha Sahasranamam Classes .
• Saturdays : 5 PM to 5.30 PM : Ramanama Sangirthanam, Chaityanya Maha Prabhu Kendra, Chennai
• Sunday, 23 December, 2007 : Mass Chanting - Rama Nama Sangirthanam, Chaityanya Maha Prabhu Kendra.

VRNT - Vijayadasami Poorthi(Final ) Examination & Vidwat Sadas Held – 21 Oct 2007

The Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust functioning under the auspices of the Srimatam, conducts Poorthi(Final) Examinations in all the Sakhas for the Veda Vidyarthis, belonging to different parts of the country every year. This year, 58 Vidyarthis undertook the examination as per following:

In all, 36 Vidyarthis secured First Class, 17 got Second Class and 5 secured third class.

The award function took place in front of the Brindavanam of Sri Mahaswamiji. The awardees receive the certificates and cash award from the benign hands of HH Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji and HH Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji. Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji gave Anugraha Bhashanam and both the Swamijis blessed the Vidyarthis and the august gathering.

Sarada Navaratri mahotsavam at Bangalore

Sarada Navaratri Mahotsavam at Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple – 12 – 21 October 2007 2007

Sarada Navaratri Mahotsavam will be performed at Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple from 12 to 21 October. Special Abhisheka, Alankaram, Navavarana Puja, Kanya Puja will be performed daily. Laksharchana will also be performed during the Navaratri Mahotsavam.

Devotional concerts and other cultural programmes will take place in the evenings 7.30 pm onwards.

Special programmes:

12-10-07: 6.30 pm: Sangeetha Mummurthigal Vizha

21-10-07: 7.30 pm: Vijayadasami Day- Golden Chariot Utsavam

22-10-07: 6.00 pm: Sahasra Svarna Kalasasthapanam, Sahasranama Homam

23-10-07: 6.00 am: Sahasra Svarna Kalasa Abhishekam

7.30 pm: Sri Kamakshi Ambal Unjal Utsavam