Tag Archives: Temple

BET Island: An Untouched Gem

The Cultured Traveler – A column exploring the many miles of what South Asia has to offer.

If you appreciate the vastness of the sea, boat rides, and heritage temples of India, then this place is for you. A place where you feel immersed in serenity one moment and the adventure in the next. 

Okha is a small coastal town in the Dwarka district of Gujarat. It is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has a sandy beach on the Arabian Sea coast. BET Dwarka Island situated 3 km across a small creek from Okha port and reached by ferry, which was a memorable experience for me.  For the about 20-minute journey, you only have to pay Rs 20 per person. If you want to hire a personal boat, you will have to shell out Rs 4000.

For me, amidst the clean blue sky, hovering seagulls, and the coos of birds, the soothing cool breeze was like a tranquilizer.

Indeed, Bet Dwarka is a magical, beautiful, untouched, and enchanting island. This is a place on the western coast of India where I get the opportunity to see both the sunrise and sunset from the ocean. It is a lifetime memory. The long stretch of the Bet Dwarka beach is perfect for a long walk. The best part was that I did not find a lot of commercial activities here and it might be because Bet Dwarka beach was the first in Gujarat that the Government earmarked for eco-tourism development.

BET Dwarka Ports

Archaeological Importance 

The place derived its name from the ‘bhent’ or gift that Lord Krishna received at this place from his friend Sudama. The island is also called Shankhodhar as it is dotted with a huge number and variety of conch shells. Archaeological remains found under the sea suggest that there were settlements of the Harappan civilization from the Late Harappan Period or immediately after it, from the Indus Valley Civilization. It was an important shell-working center during the Harappan period. During the explorations in and around Bet Dwarka, a large number of antiquities of late Harappan period which include pottery, a seal, coins, etc, were found.

That is the reason Bet Dwarka has always stirred the curiosity of archaeologists. Probably because of the mythical claim that points that this place had been Lord Krishna’s original house in the yesteryears. 

Ferries going to and from Okha to Bet Dwarka Island.

The Beauty of Nature 

While getting to the jetty to board the boat, I saw people selling packets of bird feed. Not knowing why, I also bought some packets. And as soon as the boat left, seagulls flocked to the boat for the feed that’s in our hand. It’s was an incredible experience to see the gulls flying extremely low at such close range and even picking the feed from your palm. After getting down at the jetty, I walked for nearly 700 meters to reach the Lord Krishna temple. I saw hand-pulled trollies taking elderly persons to the temple. The main temple which closes at 12 noon, is believed to be built by Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna. This is the place where Mirabai, the devotee of Krishna, disappeared at the feet of the Lord’s idol.

Sri Keshavrai Ji Temple in BET Dwarka Island.

Story of Sudhama and His Gift

The main temple here is Sri Keshavrai Ji Temple. Interestingly, here the idol holds the shankha (conch) in an oblique position. The temple is like a palace, built in pink limestone and filled with carvings. Small shrines are built for every queen of Krishna. Rukmani who is believed to have carved the idol here is not found, instead, Satyabhama, the second wife of Krishna, is very prominent here.

Devotees offer ‘rice’ here, which reminds one of the legendary tale that tells how Sudama, a friend of Krishna, had bought him ‘rice’ as a gift. 

When Sudama decided to seek Krishna’s help, to come out from his poverty, his wife packed him a handful of Poha to offer to the Lord. Sudama was hesitant about how to give his gift to Krishna. Krishna asked what gift his friend has brought for him. Sudama tried to hide it but Krishna took it and ate the Poha and offered it to his wife. Sudama returned without asking for help. But a surprise awaited him back home! Instead of his broken hut, there stood a palace and his wife and children were dressed in expensive clothes. That’s when he realized of Lord Krishna’s magical powers.

Other Shrines 

Apart from the main temple, there are various small shrines dedicated to Radha, Rukmani, Jambavati, Lakshmi-Narayan, Devki, Matsya form of Lord Vishnu, and many more. Hanuman Dandi temple of Bet Dwarka enshrines idols of Lord Hanuman and that of Makardhwaja – Hanuman’s son. According to myths, a drop of sweat from Hanuman Ji’s body was gulped by a fish who later delivered a son known by the name of Makardhwaja. Interestingly, the Bet Dwarka region has two Dargahs – Sidi Bawa Peer Dargah an Hajo Kirmil Dargah.  

Mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside the temple, so better leave either in the hotel or you will have to keep them in the lockers specially made for this purpose.

Suman Bajpai is a freelance writer, journalist, editor, translator, traveler, and storyteller based in Delhi. She has written more than 10 books on different subjects and translated around 130 books from English to Hindi. 

 

Dwarka: Lord Krishna’s Kingdom

The Cultured Traveler – A column exploring the many miles of what South Asia has to offer.

(Featured Image: Gomti Ghat by Suman Bajpai)

After a year of a forced break due to pandemic, at last, I have decided to travel and booked an early morning flight ticket (thinking, that at that rush would not be heavy, but I was wrong, the flight was packed) to travel up to Rajkot and then further to Dwarka. 

The present Dwarka is on the coast of the Arabian sea opposite the Gulf of Kutch. Known as the capital of Lord Krishna’s Kingdom, the Dwarkadhish temple has heritage importance as one of the major sites for Hindu pilgrimage. It is said that when Lord Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the coast of Saurashtra, they decided to build their capital in the coastal region; invoking Vishwakarma, the deity of construction, it is believed that the ‘city of Gold’ was built in one day. 

Sudhama Setu – Witness Sunrise and Sunset

Sudhama Setu from Wikimedia Commons.

After having lunch and some rest, I went to Sudama Setu over river Gomti.

Sudhama, the best friend of Lord Krishna, is said to have his presence in the land of Dwarka. The bridge that connects both sides of the Gomti River is called Sudhama Setu and watching the sunrise and sunset from this place can be truly delightful.

There I saw the sacred five wells built by the Pandavas, including the famous meditation spot of the five rishis. Camels, decorated in vibrant colours can be seen and camel riding on the banks of the Gomti River is one of the best things to do in Dwarka. The sight of the Ghats and boat riding is a great experience.

Dwarkadhish Temple – Stories Tell Its glory

Dwarkadish Templa (Image by Suman Bajpai)

Dwarka, the city, has been claimed by the sea six times. Though a few kilometers away, I could see the temple’s flag – Dhawajaji or the kirti pataka, which is changed five times a day. Soon the temple’s huge dome could also be seen. This is where Shree Dwarkadeesh reigned 5000 years ago and his presence is felt even today.

While moving towards Dwarkadhish temple, on both sides of the road you find a variety of shops that sell bags, juttis, items made by shells, sweets, Puja material, and Prasad. The air smells of salt and incense. Chants of Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaay, Om Namah Shivaay, and the Hare Krishna Mahamantra emanate through the backdrop of bathers, shoppers and the colourful bazaar. In the evening, different shades of lights enhance the beauty of the temple, which mesmerize you as soon as you enter. 

Sri Dwarkadhish temple is a five-storied structure built on 60 columns, crowned by a soaring elaborately carved spire. There are two gates or dwar to the temple. The North Gate is called Moksha dwar – the way to salvation, from where devotees enter, and the South Gate is called Swarga dwar – the gate to heaven, from where you exit.

Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the grandson of Krishna, Vajranabha, over Lord Krishna’s residential place (hari-griha). Adi Shankaracharya, the venerable Hindu theologian and philosopher from the 8th century who unified the main beliefs of Hinduism, visited the shrine. After his visit, the temple became part of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage that is essential for the attainment of Moksha for Hindus.

Built in Limestone, the temple complex has several shrines. The main deity is Lord Krishna, also known as Dwarkadhish or Ranchor ji. The basement has an ancient Shivalinga along with Ma Amba, Aniruddha, Pradyumn, Rukmani, Satyabhama, Jamvanti, and Laxmi are also worshipped.

The place below the temple is known as Chakra tirth. Shell-like stones, mostly white in colour, are available only at Dwarka, are sold here. This chakra is a sacred object, bestowing purity and salvation. Gopi Chandan, which is very dear to Lord Krishna, is also sold here.

The temple was packed with devotees, so in queue with my mask, I attended the enchanting aarti of Dwarkadhish.

Nageshwar Shiva Temple – A Tall Idol Attracts   

Nageshwar Temple (Image by Suman Bajpai)

The next morning, I went to Nageshwar Shiva Temple, which is one of the twelve jyotirlingas located at Nageshwar village in Gujarat. As soon as I had entered, a very big size idol of Lord Shiva surprised me, standing tall in the open sky. 

Nageshwar Temple is one of the oldest temples mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The swayambhu lingam enshrined in the underground chamber at Nageshwar Temple is known as Nageshwar Mahadev. It is believed that this Jyotirlinga protects from all poisons and one who prays here obtains freedom from all kinds of poison.

There is a legend behind this temple told to me by its priest there. There once lived a demon called Daruka, who was extremely cruel and tortured the people. One day he captured a Shiva devotee called Supriya along with many others. The prisoners were held in the underwater city that swarmed with sea-snakes. Supriya recited the Shiva mantra ‘Aum Namaha Shivayay’ to protect them. Daruka tried to kill Supriya, but Lord Shiva appeared in his full glory and killed the demon and went on to reside in the powerful Jyotirlinga.

The temple is a simple structure with typical Hindu architecture. Here the Shiva Lingam faces to the south and the Gomugam faces towards the east. The Shivalinga at Nageshwar is a Tri-Mukhi Rudraksha which is around 40 cm high and 30 cm in diameter. Goddess Parvati as Nageshwari along with the Shivalinga also can be seen. 

Rukmini Temple – Stands On Dry Land

Rukmani Temple (Image by Suman Bajpai)

Almost 2000 years old, Rukmini Temple is located in a deserted area. Its intricate carvings have made it a nationally protected monument. The temple of Rukmini Devi, the chief queen of Lord Krishna, is on the outskirts of Dwarka City. Interestingly, drinking water is offered as a donation to the temple. By donating money one can contribute to bringing drinking water to this area.

Why this temple is far away from the temple of Lord Krishna is associated with a legend.

Saga Durvasa was once invited by Krishna and his wife Rukmini for dinner. Krishna and Rukmini were pulling his chariot. On the way, Devi Rukmini felt thirsty, asked for water, and Lord Krishna provided it by hitting the ground with his toe. Without offering to Durvasa, Devi Rukmini drank the water. The sage felt insulted and he cursed her – she would live separately from her husband. That is the reason that in this temple Rukmini is being worshiped alone without lord Krishna. As a result of this, it is believed that that is the reason for the shortage of drinking water.

Rukmini’s temple stands on very dry land, completely isolated with not a single building or house beside it. The temple’s spellbinding architecture with minute carvings and paintings depicts various stories. Within the complex, there are other temples also dedicated to Amba Devi, the Kul Devi of Krishna.

As soon you get a chance to travel, this should be on your list as one of the first places to visit in India!

Suman Bajpai is a freelance writer, journalist, editor, translator, traveler, and storyteller based in Delhi. She has written more than 10 books on different subjects and translated around 130 books from English to Hindi. 

They Call Me “Manu Master”

Virtual Bharat’s most recent film is set in Koolimuttam, Kerala. A story of a man, a rebel, a master, known to his disciples and thus to the world, by one name; “Manu Master,” he says with pride as he looks at the nature around him. His eyes are kind and filled with strength and wisdom. His red shawl flutters in the wind. 

Manu Master was born in Koolimuttam, in the 1960s, as Abdul Manaf. Little Abdul loved the arts. He accompanied his uncle to Kathakali recitals, performances and katcheris alike. He jumped across the compound wall at school every day to simply watch and admire the dance lessons that were being taken by a teacher right next door. Spotting his interest in the arts, his uncle enrolled him to learn bharatanatyam when he was only 12 years of age, and that marked the beginning of Abdul Manaf’s journey in Bharatanatyam. 

Bharatanatyam was considered a temple art form. The postures and grace of the dance are a reflection of those of several Hindu gods and goddesses. Abdul Manaf was not a part of this culture, and was thus regarded an outsider. He trained in several other dance forms – Mohiniyattam, Kathakali…but his heart always lay with Bharatanatyam. At the age of 20, he decided to move to Tamil Nadu to train and master the traditional style of Bharatanatyam – one that had been banned by the British, in their move to stamp out Indian culture. Today, he is one of the leading exponents of this style of dance. 

Abdul believes that “the true God, is love, and art is the medium to reach love. “Mohabbat,” he says, is what his dance is an expression of. He refused to allow aspects like his name to get in the way of his love for dance. Abdul Manaf took the name ‘Manu’, a nickname given to him by his mother, and started to practice under this name. He admired the Tantric school of the dance and says it was his Guru Chitra Visweswaran who changed his life. She showed him how the body, was but a small replica of the entire universe, and thus how through certain postures one could unveil the Maha Mantras (sacred truths of the world). 

His movements echo the simplicity, grace, and freedom of postures of love and desire – characteristic of the Tantric school of Bharatanatyam. His audience is spellbound when he moves. The very air around him changes. There is a silence and magic to his performance and even the simplest of mudras can bring tears to the spectator’s eyes. Manu today, dedicates his life to not only keeping this Tantric tradition of Bharatanatyam alive, but to his disciples as well. He looks at them with a smile, and says “my teachers have always shown me the right path, but I want them to be able to choose their own paths.” 

As the team of Virtual Bharat shot with Manu Master, they were spellbound by not only his movements but the way these movements echoed the beauty of the nature around him. Watch the film capture his story through his dance below!

 

Virtual Bharat in collaboration with India Currents will release a monthly series highlighting the stories Virtual Bharat is capturing in India. Stay tuned for more!

Virtual Bharat is a 1000 film journey of untold stories of India spanning people, landscapes, literature, folklore, dance, music, traditions, architecture, and more in a repository of culture. The vision of director Bharatbala, creator of Maa Tujhe Salaam, we are a tale of India told person-by-person, story-by-story, and experience-by-experience. The films are under 10 minutes in length and are currently available on Virtual Bharat’s Youtube Channel. 

Australia Fires Impact the Indian-Australian Community

The numbers are staggering, the pictures downright terrifying. More than two dozen lives have been lost, hundreds of properties destroyed, half a billion animals have perished, and more than twelve million acres have been burned in the ongoing Australian bushfire crisis, and – amazingly – it is only one month into the southern hemisphere summer. Pictures of rescued wildlife, videos of ‘firies’ (firefighters) driving through intense firestorms that generate their own weather phenomena and the ongoing discussions over the climate crisis have propelled this year’s Australian fire season onto the screens of those around the world who look on from a distance, aghast. Amidst this gloom, the Indian-Australian community has not been spared. 

Australia is home to a large number of people of Indian origin, including a large transient student population, with figures around 600,000 within a country of population of just under 25 million. Like large cities in the USA with a substantial number of Indian migrants, Sydney and Melbourne feature a huge variety of Indian food, along with hundreds of Indian cultural and religious organizations serving their local communities. One such center, which housed a temple complex and community care center or Sri Om Devi Brindhavan, was housed in Clarence, New South Wales. It could be found in the idyllic blue mountains just two hours drive west of Sydney and was operated by the Sri Om Care organization.

Sri Om Devi Brindhavan before the fire.

On the 21st December 2019, the forecast was grim. Sweltering conditions including high heat (well above 40C/104F) and extremely dry winds combined to make an already unstable fire situation that much worse. All the worst predictions of that day, unfortunately, came to pass. The Mt. Gospers fire in the Blue Mountains area razed through half a million acres of bush. Towards the afternoon, a change of wind direction caught those in Clarence by surprise, and the town came under a flying ember attack. Fire quickly swept through the tiny town in a matter of minutes, completely destroying many houses. Only a few survived, but the community center/temple was not one of them.

Remains of the building after the fire. The intense heat buckled the sheet metal, and caused gas cylinders to explode. Little was left.

The center had been used for religious gatherings, annadhanam (service of free food), yoga and meditation retreats, recreational and educational activities for the elderly population, and local wildlife care. The inferno ripped through quickly and within half an hour, the damage was done. It is estimated that the total bill for that one center alone will reach half a million Australian dollars. Thankfully, no lives were lost that day in Clarence, although others fighting the same fire were not so lucky, as we would come to learn later.  

In spite of all the difficulties, one of the amazing things about tragedies is the resounding community spirit in the wake of disaster. Abraham Lincoln said, in reference to troubled times, “The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion.” This seems more than apt. In this respect, the community is rising. The huge outpouring of support for those in Australia from around the world, be it from cricketers, movie stars, pop singers, and the general population, is heartwarming and uplifting. The energy of the community, to rebuild in the face of such tragedy, is invigorating. The issues we face are global, not local, and there are no borders for such disasters. It never happens to you – until it does. 

If you would like to donate to see the rebuilding of the community center mentioned in this article, a gofundme campaign has been started. 

Rama Vasudevan is scientist living and working in Tennessee, born in India and raised in Australia, who was heavily involved with Indian-Australian community activities before shifting to the US. He is a volunteer and one of the founding members of Sri Om Care.

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple November Events

Saturday, November 2nd: Skandha sasthi soora samharam. Evening at 4.00 PM skandha sashti kavadi festival special pooja abhishekam, continued with Sri Venkateswara abhishekam, Continued with Sri Vishnu sahasra nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, November 3rd: Day light savings time ends.

Saturday, November 9th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, continued with Sri Vishnu sahasra nama chanting, Sani trayodasi, Sani pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Tuesday, November 12th: Evening at 5.00 PM, Aipasi pournami, Sri Shiva maha anna abhishekam, arati and manthra pushpa.

Evening at 6.00 PM, Pournami vratha, Sri Sathya Narayana swamy pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family.

Wednesday, November 13th: Kritika vratha. Evening at 6.30 PM, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Friday, November 15th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Bhuwanewari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, continued with Sri Lalitha sahasra nama chanting.

Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Sankata Hara chathurthi, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, November 17th: Evening at 6.30 PM, Sri Ayyappa mandala pooja begins. Special pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa (daily Ayyappa mandala pooja starting: November 17th 2019, Sunday to January 15th 2020, Wednesday, when mandala pooja ends).

Tuesday, November 19th: Evening at 6.30 PM, Sri Kala Bhairava asthami special pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, November 24th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Thursday, November 28th: Thanksgiving Day weekend timings.

Friday, November 29th: Day after Thanksgiving Day weekend timings.

Monday, December 2nd: Sukla Sashti. Evening at 8.30 PM, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sahasra nama archana, aarati and mathra pushpa.

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Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple August 2019 Events

Tuesday, August 6th:  Night at 8.30 PM, Sukla sashti vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sahasra nama archana.

Friday, August 9th:  Sri Vara Lakshmi vratha Pooja:

  6:00AM – 1st Batch

  7:00AM – 2nd Batch

  8:00AM – 3rd Batch

 9:00AM – 4th Batch

10:00AM – 5th Batch

12:00PM – 6th Batch

Please bring the following items for Vara Lakshmi vratha/pooja: Turmeric powder, kum kum, sandal powder, agarbathi, camphor, beetle leafs (6), beetle nuts (4), coconut, variety of fruits, flowers, Sri Vara Lakshmi deity (silver mukham), silver kalasam (if you have in your house), Pancha pathira uttharani, kalasa vasthram, small deepam and prasadam for naivedhyam.

4:00PM – Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, followed by Sri Lalitha sahasra nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa.

6:00PM – Samoohika Sri Vara Lakshmi vratha/pooja, aarati and manthra puhpa.

Please bring the following items for Sri Vara Lakshmi vratha samoohika pooja: Turmeric powder, kum kum, flowers, variety of fruits and prasadam for naivedhyam.

Monday, August 12th: Evening at 6.00 PM, soma pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Valli Deva sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka aarati and manthra pushpa.

Thursday, August 15th: Rig/Yajur upakarma avani avittam.

Yajur upakarma (avani avittam) – Brahmacharis samithathanam, kamokarishith japam, brahma yagnam, maha sankalpam, noothana yagnopaveedah dharanam, kandha rishi tharpanam, Sri Vigneswara / Sri Vishwekshena aardhana pooja, varuna sahitha, Sri Veda Vysa pooja, homa, Sri Veda aarambham, aaseervadham and theertha prasada viniyogam

5:55 AM – 1st Batch

8:00AM – 2nd Batch

10:00AM – 3rd Batch

Please bring the following items for avani avittam upakarma: Pancha patthra uttharani, plate (thambalam), rice, moong dhall, jaggerry, black seasame seeds, (black /ellu/till/ nalla nuvulu), variety of fruits, flowers, coconut, beetle leafs (4), beetle nuts (2), prasadam for naivedhyam.

Please bring the following items for thalai avani avittam (1st year prathama sravanam vadu’s brahmacharis): sundal, appam and prasadam for naivedhyam. Please contact the temple for further details.

6:00PM – Sri Pournami vratha /pooja, Sri Sathya Narayana swamy pooja/vratha. Please participate with family and friends.

Friday, August 16th: At 7:00AM – Sri Gayathri japam/ homam, aarati and manthra pushpa. 

Monday, August 19th:  Sri Maha Sankata Hara chathurthi. Evening at 5.00 PM Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka aarati and manthra pushpa.

Friday, August 23rd: Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, kritika, vratha; Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka. Continued Sri Lalitha sahasra nama chanting. 

Evening at 6.00 PM, Gokula asthami, Sri Vaikasanasa jayanthi, Sri Janma Ashtami special pooja  aarati and manthra pushpa.

Saturday, August 24th:  Evening at 4.00 PM Munithraya Sri Jayanathi, Sri Pancharatha, Sri Jayanthi pooja aarati and manthra pushpa.

Wednesday, August 28th: Evening at 6.00 PM, pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka  aarati and manthra  pushpa.

Monday, Septmber 2nd:  Labour day weekend timings.

Sama Veda upakarma, Morning at 7.00 AM, only one batch.

Sama Veda upakarma (samopa karma).

7:00AM – Only one batch. Please contact the temple for further details.

Ganesh Chathurthi / Vinayakar Chathurthi mahothsav

7:00AM – Temple opens with Sri Venkateswara suprabhatam, followed by Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka followed by Sri Siddhi Vinayaka vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa.

All Day – Continuous archana.

10:15 PM – Sukh Karta Dukh Hartha aarati and Jai Jagadeesha Hare aarati, Balaji ekantha seva. Temple closes after aarati.

Tuesday, September 3rd: Rishi Panchami.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple July 2019 Events

Thursday, July 4th: Independence Day weekend timings.

Monday, July 8th: Aani Thirumanjanam. 

Evening at 8.30 PM, Sukla Sashti vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sahasra nama archana.

Sunday, July 14th: Evening at 4.00 PM Pradosham Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Tuesday, July 16th: Evening at 5.00 PM, Shiva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. 

Evening at 6.00 PM, Pournami vratha, Guru Poornima Vysa Pooja, Sri Sathya Narayana Swamy pooja / vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family.

Wednesday July 17th: Dakshinayana punyakalam.

Saturday July 20th: At 12.00 noon, Sri Nava Graha homa, Sri Saneeswara Graha homa, Sri Nava Graha abhisheka, Sri Saneeswara Graha abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Afternoon at 2.00 PM, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, continued with Sri Vishnu sahasra nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa. Sri Sankata Hara Chathurthi. 

Evening at 4.30 PM, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa

Friday, July 26th: Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, continued with Sri Lalitha sahasra nama chanting. 

Evening at 6.00 PM, Aadi Kritika vratha, Kavadi festival, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Monday, July 30th: Evening at 6.00 PM, Soma Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Saturday, August 3rd: Thiruvadi Pooram. 

Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Devi, Sri Bhoo Devi sametha, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, Sri Venkateswara / Balaji abhisheka, continued with Sri Viushnu sahasra nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa.

 

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple June 2019 Events

Sunday, June 2nd: Evening at 4.00 PM, Kritika Vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, Sri Laksmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Shiva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Saturday, June 8th: Afternoon at 2.00 PM, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi temple vadica vidhya Ganapathi Center 16th year anniversary celeberations, Sarva Devatha homa, Sri Navagraha homa, Sri Saneeswara Graha homa, Sri Navagraha abhisheka, Sri Saneeswara Graha abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, continued with Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Evening at 6.00 PM, 16th year anniversary celeberations. Music programme Vignesh Venkataraman and Guhan Venkataraman and party. All are welcome to participate with family.

Night at 8.30 PM, Sukla Sashti vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sahasra nama archana.

Friday, June 14th: Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, continued with Sri Lalitha shasra nama chanting.

Evening at 6.00 PM, Praodhsam, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, June 16th: Pournami vratha. Afternoon at 2.00 PM, Sri Sathya Narayana Swamy pooja / vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family.

Thursday, June 20th: Sri Sankata Hara chathurthi. Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Saturday, June 29th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Kritika vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, continued with Sri Vishnu sahasra nama chanting, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, June 30th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

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Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple May 2019 Events

  
Thursday, May 2nd: Pradosham Evening at 6:00pm, Shiva Sri Rudra Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Sunday, May 5th: Kritika Vratha Evening at 4:00pm, Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Abhisheka Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Abhisheka Sri Shiva Abhisheka Aarti and Manthra Pushpa
Tuesday, May 7th: Sri Akhshaya Tritiya Sri Bala Rama Jayanthi Vening at 6:30pm, Sri Bhuwaneswari Special Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Thursday, May 9th: Evening at 6:30pm, Sri Ramanujia Jayanthi, Sri Sankara Jayanthi Special Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Friday, May 10th: Sukla Sashti Vratha Night at 8:00pm, Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Sahasra Nama Archana
Monday, May 13th: Sri Vasavi Jayantho
Thursday, May 16th: Pradosham Evening at 6:00pm, Shiv Sri Rudra Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Friday, May 17th: Evening at 6:30pm, Sri Narashimha Jayanthi Special Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Saturday, May 18th: 12:00 noon, Sri Nava Graha Loma/ Sri Saneeswara Graha Homa Continued with Sri Nava Graha Abhisheka Sro Sameeswara Graha Abhisheka.
2:00pm Vaikasi Visakham Sri Buddha Pournima Pournami Vratha Sri Santhaya Narayana Swamy/ Vratha/ Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa. All Are Welcome to Participate with Family.
Evening at 4:30pm, Sri Venkateswara Abhisheka Continued with Sri Vishnu Shasra Nama Chanting Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Sunday, May 19th: Evening at 4:00pm, Sri Kanchi Maha Periyaval Chandra Sekara Swamy Jayatnhi Special Pooja Aarati and Manthra Pushpa
Wednesday, May 22nd: Evening at 5:00pm, Sri Sankata Hara Chathurthi Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Loma/ Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Puhpa
Monday, May 27th: Memorial Day Weekend Timings.
Tuesday, May 28th: 7:00pm, Sri Hanuman Jayanthi According to Lunar Calendar Chandramana Vaisaska Masa Poorvabhadra Nakshatra Sri Hunuman Jayanthi. All Are Welcome to Participate With Family.
Friday, May 31st: Evening at 5:00pm, Sri Bhuwaneswari/ Sri Lalitha Devi Abhisheka Continued With Sri Lalitha Sahara Nama Chanting.
Evening at 6:00pm, Pradohsam Shiva Sri Rudra Abhisheka Aarati and Manthra Pushpa.

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple March 2019 Events

Sunday, March 3rd: Evening at 4.00 PM, Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Monday, March 4th: Sri Maha Shiva Rathri mahothsav.  Temple opens in the morning at 10.00 AM. Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam, continued with Mahanyasam Kalasa Pooja, Shiva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.  Continuous Shiva abhisheka, last Kala abhisheka, Tuesday March 5th morning at 5.30 AM, Sri Shiva Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. Temple closes.

Tuesday, March 5th: Temple opens in the morning at 10.00 AM.

Sunday, March 10th: Daylight saving time begins.

Tuesday, March 12th:  Evening at 6.30 PM, Kritika vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. Night At 8.30 Pm Sukla Sashti Sri Valli Deva Sena Sametha Sri Subramanya Sahasra Nama Archa Aarati And Manthra Pushpa

Thursday, March 14th: Karadayar Nombu Night at 8.30 PM Sri Bhuwaneswari (Sri Kamakshi) Pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa. Please Contact the temple for further details.

Monday, March 18th: Evening at 6.00 PM, Soma Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Wednesday, March 20th:  Evefnign at 5.30 PM, Shiva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. Evening at 6.00 PM, Pournima vratha, Holi festival. Sri Sathya Narayana Swamy pooja / vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family.

Thursday, March 21st: Panguni Uttiram.

Sunday, March 24th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Sankata Hara chathurthi, Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa / Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi abhisheka, Sri Shiva abhisheka, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Tuesday, April 2nd:  Evening at 6.00 PM, Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple February 2019 Events

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, February 2nd: Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Venkateswara abhisheka, continued with  Sri Vishnu sahasra nama chanting, continued with Sani Trayodasi  Shiva.  Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.                                                                

Saturday, February 9th: Vasantha Panchami akshrabhyasam. Please call the temple for further details.

Sunday, February 10th: Sukla Shasti Vratha. Night at 8.30 PM, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sahasra nama, archana, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Tuesday, February 12th: Ratha Sapthami, Sri Bheeshma Ashtami. Evening at 6.30 PM, Surya Narayana

Pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Wednesday, February 13th: Evening at 5.00 PM, Kritika vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Evening at 6.00 PM, Sri Rahu Ketu peyarchi transition, Homa, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family and friends.

Saturday, February 16th: Sri Sarva Bheeshma ekadasi.

Sunday, February 17th: Evening at 4.00 PM, Pradosham, Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Monday, February 18th: Presidents day weekend timings.

Tuesday, February 19th: Evening at 5.30 PM, Shiva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. 

Evening at 6.00 PM, Sri Pournami vratha, Sri Sathya Narayana Swami vratha/pooja. All are welcome to participate with family.

Friday, February 22nd: Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka.

Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Sankata Hara chathurthi. Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi homa, abhisheka,  aarati and manthra pushpa.

Sunday, March 3rd: Evening at 4.00 PM, Pradosham. Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Monday, March 4th: Sri Maha Shiva Rathri mahothsav. Temple opens in the morning at 10.00 AM. Sri Venkateswara suprabhatam continued with Mahanyasam Kalasa Pooja. Shva abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. Continuous Shiva abhisheka.

Last Kala Abhisheka on Tuesday March 5th morning at 5.30 AM.  Sri Shiva Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa. Temple closes.

Tuesday, March 5th: Temple opens in the morning at 10.00 AM.

 

Sri Lakshmi Ganapathi Temple November 2018 Events

 

 

Sunday, November 4th: Day light saving time ends.

Monday, November 5th: Soma Pradosham.

Evening at 6.00 PM, Shiva Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Tuesday, November 6th:  Opens in the morning at 10.00 AM. Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam, continued with Sri Shiva abhisheka, Sri Bhuwaneswari, Sri Lakshmi special pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa, Naraka Chathurdasi snanam, Deepavali festival day 1, continuous archana.

Night at 10.00 PM, Sri Lakshmi aarati and Sri Jai Jagadesha Hare aarati for Balaji ekantha seva and the temple closes.

Wednesday, November 7th: Opens morning 10.00 AM. Sri Venkateswara suprabhatam, Continued with Sri Shiva abhisheka, Sri Bhuwaneswari, Sri Lakshmi special pooja, Sri Kedara Gowri vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa,  Deepavali festival day 2, continuous archana.

Evening at 6.00 PM, samoohika Sri Lakshmi Kubera Pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Night at 10.00 PM, Sri Lakshmi aarati, Sri Jai Jagadesha Hare aarati for Balaji ekantha seva and the temple closes.

Thursday, November 8th:  Gujarati new year, Skanda Sashti festival starts (November 8th to November 12th), Every night at 8.00 PM, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya sashasra nama archana.

Tuesday, November 13th: Evening at 6.00 PM, Kavadi Festival soora samharam, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya  abhihskea, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Saturday, November 17th: Karithikai masam. Sri Ayyappa mandala pooja begins (November 17th 2018 to January 15th 2019).

Evening at 6.00 PM Sri Ayyappa Mandala pooja begins. All are welcome to participate with family.

Tuesday, November 20th: Evening at 6.00 PM, Pradosham. Shiva Sri Rudra abhisheka, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Thursday, November 22nd: Thanksgiving Day weekend timings.

Evening at 4.00 PM, Shiva abhisheka, Bharani deepam, Sarvalaya deepam, Vaikanasa deepam, special pooja, aarati and manthra pushpa.

Evening at 4.30 PM, Pournami vratha, Sri Sathya Narayana swamy pooja / vratha, aarati and manthra pushpa. All are welcome to participate with family.

Friday, November 23rd: Day after Thanksgiving Day weekend timings. Evening at 4.00 PM, Sri Bhuwaneswari / Sri Lalitha Devi abhisheka, Kritika vratha, Sri Valli Deva Sena sametha, Sri Subramanya abhisheka.

Evening at 5.00 PM, Karthikai deepam, Sri Annamalai deepam, Sri Pancharathra deepam.

Monday, November 26th: Sri Sankata Hara chathurthi.

Evening at 5.00 PM, Sri Lakhsmi Ganapathi homa / abhisheka aarati and manthra ppushpa.

Thursday, November 29th: Sri Kala Bhairava ashtami.

Friday, November 30th: Sri Maha Deva asthami.

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