With the Blessings of Pujyasri Acharya Swamijis, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Srimatam Samasthanam, 148/257, Thambu Chetty Street, Chennai - 600001 is observing Sri Sankara Jayanthi celebrations from 25th April 2009 to 29th April 2009.

Various homams and parayanams will be performed everyday, commencing at around 7.00 am.

Devotional musical concerts will be held in the evenings 6.00 pm onwards. For more information, contact 044-26261166

14th April 09 to 30th April 09, 9 AM to 11 AM

Objective
For the first time in Salem an unique opportunity to parents to inculcate traditional Hindu values very early in children of our current time. This is being conducted as a Joint venture between Sri Sankara mutt Salem and Sri Sankara Channel.

1. SLOKAS.& MUSIC .
2. YOGA & MEDITATION.
3. CARTOON MAKING.(Dignitary from Sri Sankara channel Chennai)
4. WORKING on COMPUTER SPREAD SHEETS.
5. BASIC LEARNING OF KARNATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS(teachers FROM music college Salem)
6. SNACKS THE TRADITONAL WAY /FRUITS & MILK WILL BE PROVIDED EVERY DAY
7. Conveyance shall be provided on optional /feasible basis.

Inaugural Program:
Program to be announced open by His Holiness Child Prodigy Swamigal of salem and Swami Brama Lenanandha of Dayanandha ashram Salem.Guest of honour-(Thru Shanmuga sundaram Chairman Vinayaka Missions) Subject to sirs availablity

Valedictory and Presentations:
Certificates to be issued by Dignitaries from Sri Sankara channel on the 1st May.

Please see the application form or contact Sri Sankara Mutt for further details

SRI SANKARA MUTT
3-E Chinniapillai Road, 7th Cross
North Maravaneri, Salem-636007
E-mail: kanchimuttsalem at gmail.com (please replace the " at " with "@")
Ph: 2415108/9360732011/9842765674/9842744962

With the blessings of the Acharyas of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, the regular Gayathri Homam organised by Mathruchaya Foundation will be performed on 29th March 2009 at Sankaramatam, West Mambalam. As usual, the Homam will start at 9a.m. and poornahoodi will be at around 11.30a.m.

This month, one more Gayathri Homam wll be performed on 22nd March 2009 at Sakthi Vinayakar Temple, Senthil Andavar Street, Vadapalani. Contact No. Mr. Suriyanarayanan 9894257930. This street is 9th left from the street which is adjacent to Vadapalani Bus Terminus.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara

Please visit: www.mathruchaya.org for more details

Mahakumbabhishekam of Sri Paaravtiamba Sametha Sri Kaalakandeswhara Swamy Sri Devi Boodevi Sametha Sri Varadarajaswamy Temple at Sri Adayapalam Village on 8th February 2009.

The Maha Kumbabhishekam of Sri Paaravtiamba Sametha Sri Kaalakandeswhara Swamy Sri Devi Boodevi Sametha Sri Varadarajaswamy Temple will be performed by Srimad Appayya Dikshita Trust in the Divine presence of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamiji at Sri Adayapalam Village (5 kms from Arani, Tamilnadu) on 8th February 2009 between 8.30 am and 10.00 am.

The programme starts on 5th February 2009 with Vigneswara Puja and Ganapathy Homam, and culminates on 8th February 2009 with Kumbabhishekam and Deeparadhana. Devotees are invited to participate and receive the Blessings of Almighty and Acharyas.

Sri Veda Dharma Sastra Paripalana Sabha is organizing a 4 day Veda Sammelanam programme from 22nd to 25th January 2009 at Kalpakkam, Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple in the Venugopal Vijayamandapam. The daily programme includes Sri Veda Vyasa Puja, followed by Veda Parayanam in Rig, Yajur, Sama Veda Sakhas in the morning. In the afternoon, Veda Parayanam will take place from 3 to 5.15 pm, followed by discourses in Tamil as per following details:
22 Jan 09- 7 to 9 pm: Vivaha Mantrangal by Brahmasri Srikantha Sarma
23 Jan 09- 6.30 to 8.30 pm: Vivaha Mantrangal by Brahmasri Srikantha Sarma
24 Jan 09- 7 to 9 pm: Vivaha Mantrangal by Brahmasri Srikantha Sarma

The programme concludes on 25th with Veda Parayana Poorthi from 7.30 to 9 am, followed by Avahantee Homam from 9.15 to 11.15 am. Vote of thanks will be from 11.15 to 11.30, followed by Asirvatham, Swasthi, Sambhavana, Ghosha Shanti, Harathi.

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust,
Kilpakkam, Chennai-6000010

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust is organizing a Temple Cleaning Project of Arulmigu Sri. Karpaga Vinayagar, Sri. Valli-Devasena Sameda Sri. Muthu Kumara Swamy Temple, AVM . Colony, 3 rd St.,Virugambakkam, Chennai On Sunday, 25 January, 2009 - Between 11 AM to 2 PM

Dr. Bala N. Aiyer from Houston, Texas, USA will participate and address the volunteers. A large group of volunteers will be performing this work. All residents in the neighbourhood and Devotees of the Temple are cordially invited to join us in this noble cause.

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust starting on 16 January 2009, Friday[ Auspicious Thai Friday] is conducting a DVD show on 108 Amman Temples at Nagathamman Temple, Sunder Nagar, Alapakkam Main Road, Alapakkam , Porur PO , every Fridays at 6 PM. The Show will be preceeded by a talk on amman worships. On 6 February , 2009 ie last Friday a Thiruvilakku Puja by Ladies Will be conducted . All are welcome.

Contact for details : 9444381476 / 9382337084

The Jamshedpur Kanchi Kamakoti Bhikshavandanam and Seva Trust (Regd.) was formed in Jamshedpur on the advice of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi during His visit and stay at Jamshedpur in December 1974, to facilitate the Samashti Bhikshavandanam and Suvasini Puja.

The first Bhikshavandanam and Suvasini Puja was held in December 1975. Due to the overwhelming response from devotees joining the trust, it was made into three Bhikshavandanams and one Suvasini Puja per year.

The 100th Bhikshavandanam and the 35th Suvasini Puja was performed on 2nd January 2009 - the Mahavyateepaatam day - a very auspicious day in the month of Margazhi. One hundred suvasinis were honored on the occassion to commemorate the 100th Bhikshavandanam.

Mr. T K Bhanu (Ex - Tata Steel Executive) and Mrs. Lalitha Bhanu were instrumental in forming the trust in the year 1974-75. They along with other members of the trust with its Board of Trustees have been performing the Bhikshavandanams and Suvasini Puja for the last 35 years.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara
(As reported by Sri T B Balasubramanian, Managing Trustee)

Gayathri Homam Performed

With the blessings of His Holiness, Gayathri Homam at Sri Sankara Matam, 257,Thambu Chetty Street, Chennai - 600001 (Tel. Mr. ESR Kannan, 97899 44123) was conducted on 30th November 2008.

Temple Cleaning Project

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust
Kilpakkam, Chennai – 600 010
Thiruvalangadu Temple Cleaning
28th December 2008

Loka Dharma Seva Foundation Trust [ Regd], Chennai with their members Cleaned the Vataneswarar Shiva Temple, in Thiruvalangadu, near Arakonam, Thiruvallur District, on Sunday, 28th December, 2008.

21 members from Chennai, 5 from Vellore and 5 from Arakonam participated in the Temple cleaning event. The temple’s Arudhra Mandapam, and floors in front of sannadhis were cleaned. The Temple vessels and Lamps were cleaned and polished. Dr. Nagan Srinivasan, a member from Sri Meenakshi Temple, Houston, Texas, USA, participated and sponsored the programme. Sri Sabarathna Gurukkal narrated the history of the temple and about Rathna Sabai to the members and devotees. Dr. Nagan Srinivasan gave a talk on Lord Shiva. The cooperation of Sri Thanikachalam in charge of temple of HRCED is well appreciated.

While returning from Thiruvalangadu, the members worshipped at Sri Veeraragava Perumal Temple and Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple, at Thiruvallur. LDSFT is engaged on temple cleaning on last Sunday of every month.

For further details, please Contact Dr. R. Subramanian : : Tel: 2476 0556 / 944 438 1476 E-mail ID: resubramn at hotmail.com (please format email address properly) :: Website: www.Lokadharma.org

Ancient Temples of Tamilnadu
Renovation - Kumbhabhishekam - Daily poojas
Appeal from Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam

The state of Tamil Nadu abounds in a large number of ancient temples in villages dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Grama Devathai (Village Goddess). Many of these temples find specific praise in Thevaram, Thiruvachakam and Mangalasasanam. With the large scale movement of people from village to cities and from there to foreign countries, these village temples have gone into a state of serious repair and deterioration. Even daily poojas have been stopped as there are no Gurukkal and Bhattacharyas.

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is setting up SRI VEDA VYASA TRUST to look after the Repair/Renovation, Nithya Pooja and Kumbhabhishekam of these temples and restore the temples to their ancient glory.

We appeal to all the devotees to contribute liberally to the Trust with special reference to their native villages.

All contributions will be tax exempt under section 80G of the Income Tax act.

please contact:

Ramesh Sethuraman, Sri Veda Vyasa Trust,
94 Flat N. Arihants - Ayodhya,
Arya Gowda Road, West Mambalam,
Chennai - 600033
Phone: 9444008790
srivedavyasatrust _at_ gmail.com (please remove the extra spaces before and after the _at_ sign and replace _at_ with @

The next Kumbabhishekam of the Sri Devi Kamakshi Mandir, Delhi, will be held on Sunday the 14th December, 2008.

It is proposed to bring out a Souvenir and display sponsored banners for a few days during this occasion. The Souvenir will have selected good articles, rare photographs and will have wide circulation.

We are enclosing herewith the Appeal printed for the proposed Sovenir.

All are earnestly requested to participate in Kumbabishekam functions which will be performed in the presence of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Swamigals and be recipient of the grace of Sri Maha Ganapathy, Sri Devi Kamakshi, Guru Krupa and the blessings of Acharyas.

Praying Sri Devi Kamakshi for your welfare.

Namaskarams,

POLLACHI S. GANESAN

Reply to this message may please be forwarded to rsnarayanan@bilt.com

Message of Blessings from Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathi Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji on the eve of Deepavali 2008

Kruta Yuga, Thretha Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga are the four Yugas. In Kruta Yuga, there were Mathsya. Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha and Vamana Avatars and the avatars disappeared after their work. In Thretha Yuga there were Parasurama and Rama Avatars who lived for thousands of years and did many wonders. In Dwapara Yuga Krishna Avatar and Balarama Avatar happened. These Avatars living for thousands of years did a lot of leelas (wonders). Among such leelas the Deepavali Celebration was one. Starting with Bhuthana (the demon in mother's form) Kanna Piran (Sri Krishna) did all leelas single handedly. But for the leela of killing Narakasura which resulted in Deepavali, Kanna Piran went on war against the demon along with Sathya Bama. The reason being when Lord Narayana was with His Booma Devi, Narakasuran was born. "Nara" means man, ‘Naraka’ means a person who does despicable things. For the Asuras drinking human blood of good persons is akin to eating food and drinking water for ordinary human beings. Even though Naraka was born as a human being he became an Asura (demon). He, performing penance in wrong ways, got lot of boons and he tortured many Kings and common man. A person is good at birth but becomes bad due to circumstances. So, due to his bad deeds and his torturing the Devas and others, Narakan was to be punished (by Narayana) even though he was the latter’s son. This is the justice of olden days.

One can see this justice in the story of Manu Needhi Chozha. A calf was hit and died under the Rath of his son. But he dispensed justice, by putting his own son under his chariot and himself driving it over. This happened in Kali Yuga! So, Sri Krishna goes with Satyabama, an amsa (share) of Sri Booma Devi and starts the war with Narkasura. By the time the leela was over Sri Booma Devi appears herself. Normally, if somebody dies, the day is condoled (every year). But both Sri Booma Devi and Narakasura prayed to Sri Krishna with Sathyabama, "Oh Lord, nobody should observe this day of death of your son as a day of mourning. You are the Lord, I am your Devi and at our hands this son of ours attains Moksha. This day removes darkness all around. Hence everybody, right from children to the parents, should observe it as a day of happiness. By taking Mangala Snanam (Oil bath), they should get the phala (fruits) of Ganga Snanam and get the benign blessings of Sri Lakshmi Devi". Happy over Sri Booma Devi’s supplication, both Sri Krishna and Sathyabama granted her request. That boon became “Deepa Oli” (Light of the lamp) which is Deepavali. Deepavali also can be considered as Deepa Avali, avali meaning rows, as rows of lamps are lit on that day. As this was started with the love, affection, duty, rule of law and justice, may all celebrate this Deepavali Day observing dharma and practice the disciplines as told to Arjuna by Sri Krishna in Bagavadh Geetha. Let us pray to get all prosperity from Sri Krishna on this day. When we pray on special days like Deepavali, the benefit is many folds more than when we pray on ordinary days. If we take bath our body gets purified. But when take bath on the auspicious day like Deepavali we get the benefit of Ganga Snan. On this auspicious day of Deepavali our complete, heartfelt blessings to all.

Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamiji is visiting Ahmedabad for two days for inauguration of Sankara Eye Hospital at Mogra near Anand on 19.10.08. For further details, contact tel no. 079-27474079

With the Blessings of Pujyasri Sankaracharya Swamiji of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, the Jayanti Mahotsavam of Srimad Appaya Dikshitar will be celebrated at his birth place – Adayapalam Village, on 15th October 2008, Wednesday, 8.30 am onwards. Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam, Deeparadhana, Vidwat Sadas will be conducted on the occasion.

With the Blessings of Almighty and Pujyasri Sankaracharya Swamiji of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Veda Dharma Sastra Paripalana Sabha, Kumbakonam is organizing Veda Sammelanam for the 29th time at Sri Venugopalaswami Temple, Gopalapuram, Chennai, from 16 to 19 October 2008.

Programme
 

16th to 18th October
7.30 am:	Sri Veda Vyasa Puja
8 to 11.30 am:	Rig, Yajur Samaveda Parayanam
3 to 5 pm:	Veda Parayanam
19th October
7.30 to 9am:	Sri Veda Vyasa Puja, Veda Parayana Purti
9.30 am:	Aavahanti Homam
11.30 am:	Ashirvadam, Pradaskhina Namaskaram, Swasti in all branches, Harati, Prasadam Distribution

Details of Upanyasam:

16th October 08: "Arthas of Upanayana Mantras" – Veda Vidyalankara, Vidyaratnam, Salakshana Vidwan, Brahmasri Y Rajagopala Ganapatigal, Editor, Vaidikasri – Tamil/Sanskrit Monthly Magazine

17th October 08: "Marriage Customs" – Vedabhasya Ratnam, Brahmasri V G Subramanya Ganapatigal

18th October 08: "Devapuja Procedure" – Dr. Brahmasri P M Vijayaragava Sastrigal, Professor, Chennai Sanskrit College

President's award for Oriental School Principal

Oriental Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur, Sri Sankara Mutt Building 1826, West Main Street, Thanjavur 613009, Tamilnadu Patron: HH Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Swamiji of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam

The aforesaid Oriental School was started in 1969 with the Blessings of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamiji with a view to propagate Sanskrit amongst Students, along with regular curriculum. The admission is open to all sections of society. This school is also recognized by the Government of Tamilnadu. Recently, the Government has sanctioned higher education approval of the school after evaluating the steady progress and successful track record of the school.

Sri T S Kalyanasundaram, present Headmaster of the school, has made the school into a prestigious institution through his dedicated efforts. Recognizing his contribution, the Government of India has conferred on him the National Award of Outstanding Teacher this year. Sri Kalyanasundaram received the award personally from the President of India at New Delhi on 5 September 2008. The award carries a Silver medal, a citation and cash of Rs. 25,000/- The award is a great honor for the him and has brought glory to the school.

(This information was forwarded by Sri Kunchithapatham who is the Secretary and correspondent of the school and may be contacted on tel (91) (0) 4362-256411 )

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Adya Sankara Mandir, Near Veer Savarkar Statue, Sarasbaug, Pune – 411 030 (Tel 90119 55125/ 9960252858)

NAVARATHRI MAHOTSAV 2008 - Tuesday 30/09/08 to 9/10/2008

Sri Sankara Matam, Pune is organizing Navarathri Mahotsav 2008 from 30 September to 9 October 2008. Kamakshi Devi - Vishesh Alankar & Lalithashasranama Laksharchana will be performed during the period.

B Anjaneya Sarma(Administrator)
Date: 30-06-2008

Following are the details of the marks awarded in the March Special examinations held from 18th to 22nd June 2008

* After completing Koumudi Exams, the result for Paribhasenu Sekharam will be announced.
- Administrator

The seventy fourth Avathara Day of Sri Sri Sri Jayendra Sarawswathi Swamiji was celebrated in a grand manner on 20th July 2008. Bhakthas started arriving in the Karaikudi SankaraMatam from the morning itself. The program started with Vigneswara Pooja around 8.00 am. followed by kalasa pooja, navagragha pooja and rendering of veda sukthas. This was followed by Ganapathi Homam, Navagraha Homam, Mruthyunja Homam, Aayushya Homam and Aavahanthi Homam. It was around noon the poornahuthi was performed and was witnessed by more than hundred devotees. Bhajans were also rendered. Acharya Prasadam and Kamakshi Kumkuma prasadham were distributed to the devotees. Annadhanam was also done as part of the celebrations. Local TV network covered the program. The devotees were requested to participate in the year long celebrations of 75th Jeyanthi Mahosthavam which will be orgranized in the Karaikudi Sankara Matam.

Uttankita Vidya Aranya Trust was constituted by Kanchi Sage - Maha Periyava, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, for recording India's ancient history and culture, especially from epigraphs, which are the original source of our history. With the long span of Indian history, with rich heritage and culture from time immemorial, India has its own civilization. The country's rich, multi cultural and renowned heritage have been periodically recorded by our ancestors in many ways. The most reliable source of Indian history is the epigraphic records on stones, copper plates, clay tablets, coins and such other imperishable materials. Due to efflux of time, many of such epigraphs are extinct. Even the available ones are in ancient languages of this country like Sanskrit. Such valuable inscriptions in Sanskrit, if get into print and translated in to modern languages will help posterity with authority. Also the greatness of Sanskrit, as a part of our rich civilization will go on record. In the words of Dr.S.Radhakrishnan - "Sanskrit has molded the minds of our people to the extent to which they themselves are not conscious. Sanskrit literature is national in one sense, but its purpose has been universal. That was why it commanded the attention of people who were not followers of a particular culture".

The history of this great country is punctuated by constant integration of migrating people with diverse cultures. Even as early as 4000 B.C., our country has emerged as a region of highly developed civilization with all its colourful canvas, portraying a unique assimilation of ethnic groups, displaying varied cultures and religions. In fact, this uniqueness in the ethnicity of the country is the factor that makes our country a different from others. Realizing the value of all these epigraphs, Sri Mahaswamigal, desired to have a repository of such information and entrusted the work with this Trust for collection, collation, chronological serialization and presentation in Naagiri Sanskrit with English translation on notes of important epigraphs. Thus Sri Mahaswamigal made the whole world know, "India has created a special momentum in world history as a country to be searched for knowledge"

This monumental work has been sincerely and seriously undertaken by the Trust, with the blessings of Sri Mahaperiyava and Their Holiness, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and have already brought out 4 volumes.

Now, the IV Volume - Part II (650 AD - 700AD) and IV Volume - Part III (600AD - 700AD) are being released by the Trust, on 3rd July, 08. in a grand function arranged by the Trust in RANI SEETHAI HALL, Gemini Circle, Anna Salai Chennai - 06, with the blessings of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetadhipathis.

For further details of the books, readers may please contact, Sri.Chidambaresan, available on Phone No: (044) 26214105.

email id: sankarachidambaram_at_yahoo.com (Replace "_at_" with @)

Enrolment of Students in VEDA SIGAMA THIRUMURAI by SANKARA MUTT, SIRKAZHI Branch

Kanchi Sankara Mutt Sirkazhi branch invites students for graduate course "SIVAGAMA CHOODAMANI" (III Group) to be conducted in the birth place of Saint Thirugnanasambandar. Food, clothing and shelter will be provided free.

The course provides subjects in Gurukula method of education covering Veda, Agama, Kavyam, Thirumurai, Jyotisham, Spoken English, Computer Knowledge etc.

Eligibility: The students should have completed 13 yrs of age and completed VIII standard. They should belong to Shivacharyar lineage Gurukkals, and to orthodox family and must be disciplined and adhering to tradition and keep a tuft compulsorily.

For more details, contact
The Secretary, Sankar Mutt Sirkazhi Branch,
Thirugnanasambandar Illam
Sirkazhi – 609110.
Telephone 04364 – 270650

Mobile: +91 9443526875

The above information is given by The Principal, Sri Kannappa Gurukkal.

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