Hindu Community and Cultural Center 1232 Arrowhead Ave, Livermore, CA 94551 A Non-Profit Organization since 1977 Tax ID# 94-2427126; Inc #D0821589 Tel: 925-449-6255; Fax: 925-455-0404 Shiva-Vishnu Temple Web: http://www.livermoretemple.org Om Namah Shivaya Om Namo Narayanaya

Performing Abhisheka to Shiva linga with Panchamruthams (namely Milk, Buttermilk, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, and Fruits) while chanting Sri Rudram pleases Lord Shiva the most. Puranas proclaim that Maha Shivarathri is very auspicious. Staying awake through out the night (Jagarana) and worshipping Lord Shiva is particularly pleasing to Him. By this, all our past sins are absolved and Moksha is achieved. As per Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada, one has to worship Lord Shiva to achieve salvation and that too on Shiva Rathri day. It is certain that one who keeps awake on this day will attain Shiva Sayujya (attainment of Lord Shiva).

Maha Shivarathri March 5th, 2008

06:00 am Shiva and Vishnu Suprabhatham Grand Sponsorship $1,116* 06:30 am 1st Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam 10:00 am 2nd Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam All Shivarathri Events $101** 01:00 pm 3rd Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam 03:30 pm 4th Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam Any one Yaama Abhishekam $35 05:00 pm Jyothirlinga Archana 06:00 pm 5th Yaama – Mahanyasa Parayanam, Any Two Yaama Abhishekam $51 Rudra Abhishekam, Poolangi Seva, and Rajopachara Seva Poolangi Seva $25 Thursday March 6th 12:30 am 6th Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam Bilwa Dala Archana $25 03:30 am 7th Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam 05:30 am 8th Yaama – Shiva Abhishekam One Vastra Samarpanam $51 07:00 am Temple Closed for Cleaning 09:00 am Temple Opens – Regular Week-Day Schedule Archana after Abhishekam $11***

$1,116* - One Vastra samarpanam, Poolangi seva, All Shivarathri events and Bilwadala Archana $101** - Sponsorship of all 8 yaamas and jyothirlinga Archana $11*** - Shiva Archana after any one shekam For further information, please contact: Temple Manager at 925-449-6255 or Event co-ordinator Ravishankar Jonnalagadda Ph: 408-318-2640 Email:[email protected]

Gothram: Name: Birth star: Login ID: Phone #: Date: Check #: Amount: $ RECEIPT #:

In every Shiva Temple, among all functions in a year, MahaShivaRathri is observed with greatest reverence. Chaturdasi Tithi at midnight in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon fortnight) is Shivarathri. In the month of Magha, it is Maha Shivarathri and in all other months it is Masa Shiva Rathri. This year, in our local time, Maha Shiva Rathri is observed on Wednesday March, 5th.

Yajurveda gives the names Rudra and Shiva for the same form. Namaka and Chamaka are the Veda mantras chanted during every Shiva Abhisheka. The mantra “Yathe Rudra Shiva Tanu” explicitly mentions this. As per Shankara Bhagavath Pada, one has to worship Shiva to achieve salvation and that too on Shiva Rathri day. It is certain that the one who keeps awake on this day, will reach Sayujya of Shiva (attainment of the Lord Shiva).

On MahaShivarathri day, in this Temple we perform eightAbhishekas for Shiva. Yaama puja and Abhisheka has specialimportance. Agamas mention this yaama puja as Kaala Puja.Ekakaala, Trikaala, Shatkaala pujas are in vogue in Shiva Temples.Because there are 8 Yaamas per day, this yaama kala puja is also inpractice.

“Rudraadhyaaee vasedyatra graameva nagarepiva. Natatra kshutpipaasaadyaa durbhiksham vyaadhayopicha”. It means, the townor village where Rudraadhyayam is chanted shall be free of hunger, thirst, drought, and diseases.

Shiva purana speaks extensively about how easy it is to pleaseShiva and how merciful He is to His Bhaktas. Through manystories, it shows us, how Shiva generously absolves all sins andrewards those who perform acts of significance to Him – likedropping Bilva leaves, performing Abhisheka – even if they dothem unconsciously, without even knowing the significance andafter having done acts of unthinkable sins in their entire life.We see in our daily lives how the sincere worship to Shiva withall faith, yields all merits, benefits including spiritual growthand stay in Kailasa along with all companions of the individualAmong many kshethras, Kasi or Banaras has special importance.It is also called Avimuktha Kshetra. One who stays in Kasi fornine days, gets salvation at the end of his life and Lord ShivaHimself whispers the Tharaka mantra in His ears.

Maharishi Markandeya crossed the pre-destiny of Mrithyu withthe grace of the Lord Shiva. Shiva’s name itself is highlyauspicious. So on Shiva Rathri day let us all join together and worship the Lord for attaining the materialistic and spiritual benefits. Let us join and sing in one voice with devotion and concentration…

TriDalam Trigunaakaram Trinetrancha TriAyudham TriJanma papa samhaaram Eka Bilwam Shivaarpanam.

Let us recite the following sloka from Kaivalyopanishad and pray to Lord Shiva for peace and rosperity.

Uma Sahayam Parameswaram Prabhum Trilochanam Neelakantham Prasantham Dhyatwa Munirgachchati Bhoota Yonim Samastha Sakshim Thamasah Parasthah.

“Oh Lord of the Universe! You are with Uma Devi, your beloved consort, You are Eswara, the Lord of the Universe, You are with radiant eyes, with blue neck, giving peace to the Universe, cause and witness of the whole creation, and are beyond the ignorance. We all bow to your supremacy, for peace and happiness”.