GREATER BALTIMORE HINDU-JAIN TEMPLE

2909, BLOOM RD, FINKSBURG, MD-21048 PH: 410-861-8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.baltimoretemple.org

Greater Baltimore Temple invites all of you to participate in the SAHASRA LINGARCHANA on Day Thursday, 11th March, 2021 from 9:00 am to 12:00 am PROGRAM DETAILS: Archana : 10:30 am to 12:00 pm 2:30 pm to 10:00 pm ** (Pre-registration is recommended) Abhishekam to PasupathinathJi (Pancha mukha linga) : 10:00 am to midnight Four Kaala Pujas: 1st kaala 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm 2 nd kaala Puja 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm 3 rd Kaala Puja 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm 4 th kaala Puja 10:30 pm to 11:30 pm Sahasra Lingarchana is a unique vedic ritual to worship lord Siva in the name of 'Uma Pardhiveswara Swamy’

SAHASRALINGARCHANA performed by making 1,116 mruthika/Pardhiva lingas made out sanctified clay. These are arranged in the form MahaGanapati Puja 5:00 pm to 5:15 pm of Kailasa prastharam with 16 avaranas and 1,116 Mahanyasam 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm swaroopas. Siva is invoked into each through vedic during Shodasa Aavarana puja 7:15 pm to 7:30 pm and worshiped with great devotion to seek HIS blessings Sahasralinga Sthapana, Avahana, health, wealth, prosperity, bliss and ultimate mukthi. Shodasopachara puja 7:30 pm -10:20 pm Talk on Lord Shiva: 10:20 pm to 10:30 pm Please click on the links below for Online streaming Abhishekam 10:30 pm to 11:30 pm https://www.youtube.com/c/ Mangala arati 11:30 pm to 12:00 am GreaterBaltimoreHinduJainTemple

https://www.facebook.com/ events/442182177201434/?active_tab=discussion

SAHASRA LINGAARCHANA

2017 2018

As per Shiva Maha Puranam, Shiva & resides in Kailasam surrounded by 16 aavaranas. Each aavarana represents rudra swarupa devata ganas as follows:

1. Ashtadikpaalaka 8x1 = 8

2. Dwadasa Aditya 4x2=8=4 = 12

3. Trishulaa 8x3 = 24

4. Taandameswara 50x8 = 400 2019 2020 5. Asta Bhataala 4x2 = 8

6. Chaturveda 4x1 = 4

7. Shodasa Dwarapalakaa 8x2 = 16

8. Patnisameta Asta Murthi 8x2 = 16

9. Pancha 5x5 = 25

10. Saptaakshu asta Vasu 7x8 = 56

11. Navagraha 9x1 = 9

12. Parvata (7) Nadi(7) Rushi(7)Saagara(7) 4x7 = 28

13. Shat taaraka Linga 6x1 = 6

14. , Parvati 2x1 = 2

15. Ekadasa Rudra 11x1 = 11

16. Dakshina Murthy 1

- Chendiswara 1

- Chitrudu 1

-Chitraguptudu 1

- 1

- Ganapati 1

-Maha Linga 1x484 = 484

17. Chandra Kala = 1

1,116

“ NAMAHSIVAYAH” “SIVAYAH GURAVE NAMAHA”

Bhakti/devotion always plays a pivotal role in all our prayers at all times. Puja performed as a group gives more vibration and benefits to the devotee personally and to the society at large. Group participation provides great opportunity to all of us and our children to learn more and more about Sanathana . They can adopt and carry it forward to the future generations.

SHIVARATRI SIGNIFICANCE:

‘The Great Night of Lord Shiva’ is on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of month, Thursday, 11th March, 2021, when Lord Shiva made himself in the form of a Linga for the first time and this day started to be celebrated as Mahashivratri.

STORY:

Once when God Brahma and God wanted to learn about their powers and test who is the most power- ful one. They started fighting to represent each other’s powers. The other gods got shocked at the intensity of the battle and so asked God Shiva to interfere and prevent the destruction of the universe. As a result of this, it was on the 14th day in the dark fortnight of Phalguna month that Lord Shiva took his form of a flaming Linga inbetween Brahma and Vishnu. He actually wanted to make them realize the oneness (advaita) so, He challenged them to measure the size of gigantic Linga and find its end. They eventually accepted the chal- lenge to prove who is more powerful. Brahma took the form of a swan and Vishnu took the form of a boar respectively. They went for the journey to find out the reality. But, it was seen that no one was successful in their attempts to measure the Linga. Lord Brahma was literally exhausted and confused with his search to discover the uppermost part of the fiery Linga. Right then, Lord Shiva pierced himself from the center revealing his omnipresence. Sristhi, , Laya identified with Satwa, , Tamo gunas represent the Trinity-Brahma, Vishnu & Maheswara and Trilokas. Both Trinity and Trilokas are present in every human being. Therefore, all three should be regarded as one and worshipped as Shivam - the embodiment of auspiciousness. MahaShivaratri is also celebrated as a day of gratitude to Lord Shiva for protecting the world from the deadly poison that emerged from Samudra Madhan.

REPRESENTATION OF SHIVA LINGA:

According to the , the structure of the Shiva Linga represents the whole universe which is formless with no definite shape and size. The oval and cylindrical stone represents the universe and the bottom base represents the complete power that holds the universe within itself. According to the Brahma Purana, the Shiva Lingam was originally an egg-shaped structure, representing the universe. This oval-egg is also known as the ‘cosmic egg’ which means ‘Brahmanda’ in Sanskrit .

RITUALS:

Fasting: Devotees fast the whole day with intake of only fruits and milk during this period.

Praying/Smaran: Shiva is worshipped at temples and a special ritual of 'Rudrabhisheka' is performed where people bathe the Lord with milk and offer prayers. It is advised by spiritual experts to practice medita- tion on this day and to chant Siva Panchakshari and Mrutunjaya Mantras all day to protect you from all adver- sities. Chanting During this period the cosmos is super charged with positive energy that purifies mind, body, soul and all the senses. Worship Lord Shiva by performing Archana and Abhishekam on this auspi- cious day.

Jagaran : Lord Shiva is worshipped throughout the night ABOUT SAHASRALINGARCHANA: "Sahasra Lingarchana is a unique vedic ritual to worship lord Siva in the name of 'Uma Pardhiveswara Swamy.' It is performed by making 1,116 mruthika siva lingas also called as Pardhiva lingas made out of well prepared and sanctified clay while chanting Sri Rudram. All these siva lingas are arranged in the form of Kailasa prastharam which is a depiction of Siva Kailasam with 16 avaranas and 1,116 Rudra swaroopas. Siva Shakti is invoked into each Siva lingam through vedic mantras during Shodasa Aavarana puja and worshiped with great devotion. "According to Siva Maha Puranam, it is said that lord Siva and goddess Parvathi reside in Kailasam, which is surrounded by 16 aavaranas. Each aavarana contains a set of Rudra swaroopa devata ganas. There is a well-defined name for each aavarana and the respective devata ganas in the Sahasra Lingarchana kalpam . Shodasa Avarana puja is the process of invoking Rudra swaroopa devata shakti in all 1,116 mruthika sivalingas arranged in kailasa prastharam with 16 avaranas by each ones name and respective mantras. We invite them into the kailasa prastharam with all shodasa upacharams to worship them. Once this is complete, we'll have 1,116 Rudra devata swaroopams with Maha Linga swaroopa Uma Pardhiveswara swamy in the kailasa prastharam. This becomes the vital point of the entire universal energy and universal consciousness. It is a great opportunity for every one participating in such event to receive the universal energy as bless- ings. The mahanyasam is the process to tune your mind and body to absorb this high frequency universal en- ergy present in Kailasa Prastharam which is invoked throuh vibrant vedic beejakshra mantras during prana prathistha. This is followed by the Lingaarchana and then Rudraabhishekham.

PARTICIPATION: Everyone can certainly be part of the event and reap all the benefits through contributing, sponsoring, helping, listening and watching. GBT is carrying out this vedic ritual past 4 years with the commitment and dedication of group of members with great success. It is a great opportunity for every one participating in such an event to receive the universal energy as blessings. Well, COVID is not stopping us this year and we continue to perform sahasra lingaarchana for the fifth consecutive year. Since we are strictly following CDC regulations at temple, we encourage devotees to watch the whole event on GBT’S Youtube channel and Facebook page which will be streamed online and be blessed.

SPONSORSHIP: http://www.baltimoretemple.org/online-donations/

QR CODE FOR ARCHANA $21 —->

COVID REGULATIONS AT TEMPLE:

1. All devotees must sign in with contact information before entering the prayer hall which very important for con- tact tracing.

2. All devotees are required to wear a facial mask , covering both the nose and mouth all the time when they are inside the temple . No exception.

3. Social distancing of minimum of 6 feet must be followed, except for the members of the same family

4. No food consumption is allowed inside the temple

5. Total number of devotees seated shall not exceed more than 30 excluding the priests performing the pooja at any given time. For your safety, Please follow the instructions given by the GBT volunteers.

**GBT will not take any responsibility for any accidental exposure to Covid and its related illness.

** Sahasra Lingarchana : Only the devotees who received full vaccination/tested negative for COVID in 3 days prior to visiting the temple, can participate in the Sahasra Lingarchana Puja.