February 11, 2009

Dear Devotees,

This message from the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing has three announcements.  Of them, the first one is a reminder.

1. Garba and Raas program on Saturday, February 14, from 8 to 11:30 PM

This will be a great get-together for the community during the cold winter, with some work-out and fun thrown in. The event is open to everyone. Flyer is posted at http://lansingtemple.org/misc/garba.pdf.

2. Maha Shivaratri 24-hour celebration from 6 AM on Monday February 23

We invite your participation on this day -- one of the holiest in the Hindu religious calendar and the most auspicious for the worship of Lord Shiva. The program is posted at http://lansingtemple.org/misc/Shivaratri-2009.pdf and is given below.
 
Monday, February 23, 2009
6:00 AM: Sri Ganesha Puja, Beginning of 24-hour Panchakshari Japa, Sri Shiva Puja, Abhishekam  & Aarati
8:00 to 11:30 AM: Abhishekam open to Shiva Devotees
NOON: Sri Shiva Puja, Abhishekam and Aarati
1:00 to 4:00 PM: Abhishekam open to Shiva Devotees
4:00 PM: Rudra Homam
6:00 PM: Sri Shiva Puja, Abhishekam and Aarati
7:00 to 11:30 PM: Abhishekam open to Shiva Devotees
7:30 to 9:00 PM: Bhajan, Kirtan, Aarati, and Prasad
MIDNIGHT: Sri Shiva Puja, Abhishekam and Aarati

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
1:30 to 5:30 AM: Abhishekam open to Shiva Devotees
6:00 AM: Sri Shiva Puja / Abhishekam. Conclusion of Akhanda Japa, Aarati, and Prasad (End of fasting)

We have four requests:

a)
Please sign up for a one-hour period of chanting the Panchakshari Mantra (Om Namah Shivaya) either by writing your name on the sign-up sheet available at the Temple or by calling one of the priests. Devotees may sign up for more than one slot or have multiple devotees for each slot.

b) We request your sponsorship of Rudra Abhishekam ($25), Archana $21), Rudra Homam ($51), and personal Abhishekam to Lord Shiva ($11). They will help raise needed funds for the Temple.

c) Before you come to the Temple, please shower, wear clean clothes (no work clothes, please). At the Temple please do 108 times Om Namah Shivaya japa before doing the Abhishekam. Your cooperation in this matter is highly appreciated.

d) Please let either Sharmaji or Shastriji know if you could volunteer to help coordinate events at the Temple at any time during the 24-hour period.

3. Copies of the book "Selected Speeches and Writings of K.S. Sripada Raju"

Copies of the above book, which was presented to Dr. Raju during his 80th birthday celebration last Friday, are available for a contribution to the Temple of $15 or more per copy. The 75-page book, which includes several color photographs and a spiritual autobiography, is the first collection of the thoughts of our community's Guru on the different aspects of spiritual life. Please send an e-mail to the book's editor, Raman Anantaraman, at raman@nscl.msu.edu to reserve your copy.

Audio recording of several talks given by Dr. Raju over the years was also released last Friday, and can by accessed from the Temple's homepage ( http://lansingtemple.org/).

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Bharatiya Temple of Lansing
955 Haslett Rd
Haslett, Michigan 48840.
Phone: (517) 339-6337