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Significance of Events During the Grand Celebrations

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Significance of Events During the Grand Celebrations Significance of Events during the Grand Celebrations 1. What is the purpose of doing Sri Rama Seva? Answer: Sri Rama Seva is done for the following reasons: a. To learn about and aspire to live a life in the example of Sri Rama. b. Elevate oneself to a higher level of spiritual consciousness, harmony, and peace. c. To inculcate awareness of our Vedic culture in children. 2. What events does Sri Rama Seva include? Answer: Sri Rama Seva includes the following: Sri Rama Puja, Deepavali, Acharya Thirunakshatram, Sri Rama Krathuvu, and Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam. 3. What’s unique about these grand celebrations? a. Swamiji will be in USA for the first time during His Holiness Thirunakshatram celebrations in Houston. b. Sahasra (1001) Kalasa Abhishekam will be performed to Swamiji’s aradhana perumal - Sri Ram parivar for the first time in USA, outside of India. Abhishekam will be performed by 40 qualified Ruthwiks. c. Sri Rama Krathuvu (Yagnam will be peformed by 40 Ruthwiks) for the first time at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple. d. Devotees from all over the World will be coming to Houston to be part of these grand celebrations. 4. Why do we celebrate Deepavali? Answer: Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, signifies the removal of ignorance or darkness. Our Acharya’s guidance is necessary to lead us out of darkness and onto the path of spiritual enlightenment. This Deepavali is unique as Acharya Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji is going to be amidst us. Deepavali is also celebrated to mark the arrival of Lord Sri Rama back to Ayodhya after Ravana’s annihilation. It is a truly a divine a blessing that our Acharya will be in Houston with His Holiness Sri Rama perumal at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple during this Deepavali. Saamoohika Dhanalakshmi Puja will be conducted as part of Deepavali celebrations. Devotees who participate will perform the Puja under the direct guidance of Sri Swamiji. 5. Why do we celebrate Acharya Tirunakshtram? Answer: We celebrate birthdays of great people for inspiration from their lives and preachings. Guru (noun): Teacher. “Gu” means the darkness caused by ignorance and “Ru” means removal of that darkness. Guru is the one who can remove the darkness of ignorance from our hearts and light the lamp of knowledge and devotion. We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to celebrate our Acharya H.H. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji on his incarnation day in Houston this year. We request all devotees to enjoy the Thirunakshatram celebrations and receive Sri Swamiji’s mangalasasanams on this auspicious occasion. 6. What is Sri Rama Kratuvu? Answer: Kratuvu or Yajna means worshipping God in the form of Fire. Sri Rama Kratuvu will be conducted for five days. The five-day yajna consists of the chanting of Vedic hymns by forty Ruthwiks (Vedic scholars). The Yajna starts with Sankalpam by the Yajamanis so that they can participate without hindrances. Devotees will be given Yaga Prasadam with the blessings (mangalasasanams) of H.H. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and his perumal Lord Sri Rama. 7. What is Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam? Answer: The highlight of Sri Rama Krathuvu is Abhishekam to Lord Sri Rama with 1001 Kalasas, the Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam. Every year, during Swamiji’s Thirunakshatram celebrations, this puja is performed to honor Swamiji’s deities. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should not be missed! Ruthwiks will perform Abhishekham to Swamiji’s aradhana perumal Sri Rama with 1001 Kalasas. The Puja can be sponsored by devotees all over the World and Kalasas will be given to them as a keepsake of this very momentous occasion. 8. What is Ishti Puja? Answer: An Ishti is a yagnam performed to fulfill a particular desire. During the event, four Ishtis will be performed as detailed below: Sri Nrusimha Ishti—for elimination of planetary impediments Sri Lakshmi Narayana Isthi—for wealth and prosperity Sri Hayagreeva Ishi—for education Sri Vainateya Ishti—for those who wish to have children Please register as soon as possible for the following events: Sri Dhanalakshmi Puja Sri Rama Kratuvu Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam Ishti Puja Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam To register for the above events, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please visit www.ashtalakshmi.org for the Schedule of Events and for further details on registration and sponsorship. .
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