NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA BALAJI VANI Volume 11, Issue 1 January, 2017

HARI OM

In Month of December, Kartika Deepam, Satyanarayana Swami Pooja, and on December 31st night and Jan 1st 2017 new year was celebrated. Karthika Deepam Karthika Deepam is a Hindu festival which was celebrated by Lighting Lamps. The festival is observed in most Hindu homes, and falls in the month of mid-November to mid-December. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthika and pournami. This constellation appears as a group of six stars in the firmament in the shape of a pendant from the ear. There are several reasons/stories behind observing Karthika Deepam. A popular belief is that the day is the birthday of Lord Muruga. Lamps are lit for a happy married life and for the wellbeing of children in the family. Lord Balaji

Lord Muruga, also known as Skanda, Subrahamaniya and , was born as six different babies to Lord after he awoke CITTASYA ŚUDDHAYE NA TU VASTŪPALABDHAYE | from the deep meditation after Goddess ’s death. The six VASTUSIDDHIRVICĀREṆA NA KIṂCITKARMAKOṬIBHIḤ || 11 || babies were looked after by the Six Krittika stars and the six children were later joined to a single force by Goddess . Work leads to purification of the mind, not to perception of the Reality. The realization of Truth is brought about by Krittika is the six starts cluster. When Muruga joins them as a discrimination and not in the least by ten million of acts. child they make seven stars. As Muruga was born as six different babies and later joined into one He is popularly known as SAMYAGVICĀRATAḤ SIDDHĀ RAJJUTATTVĀVADHĀRAṆĀ | Aarumugan in Tamil culture. BHRĀNTODITAMAHĀSARPABHAYADUḤKHAVINĀŚINĪ || 12 || Another legend has it that the lamps lit symbolically represent By adequate reasoning the conviction of the reality about the knowledge, victory and peace. Muruga as Kumaraguru is rope is gained, which puts an end to the great fear and misery believed to have taught the meaning of ‘OM’ to Lord Shiva. Thus caused by the snake worked up in the deluded mind. the lamps lit on the day are in remembrance of sharing the ultimate knowledge of ‘OM.’ The knowledge of OM helps in

enlightenment and emancipation. Another legend associated with Karthigai Deepam is that King Bali surrendered before Lord . King Bali attained by surrendering all his wealth and himself before Lord Vishnu. Special offerings made from puffed rice and beaten rice is believed to be due to this legend. New Year On the occasion of new year, Pooja was performed on 12AM. On new year day Balaji abhisheka was performed, several devotes visited temple, had lord balaji blessings and took maha prasadam made by devotes. Whole day temple was open. HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hari Om Swamiji performing satyanarayan swami pooja

MONTHLY EVENTS REGULAR ACTIVITIES

January 1st Sunday TEMPLE OPEN Balaji Abhishekam 8:00 AM WEEKDAYS 7:30 AM TO 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8.30 PM New Year’s day WEEKENDS SAT-SUN 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM

th Daily & Aarti January 8 , Sunday Morning 8:00 AM Panduranga Abhishekam 11:00 AM Afternoon 12:30 PM Pradosham Shiva Abhishekam 5:30 PM Evening 8:00 PM

January 9th, Monday Every Monday Pradosham Shiva Abhishekam 5:30 PM Rudrabhishekam (Shiva Puja) 6:00 PM

January 11th, Wednesday Every Tuesday Satyanarayana Pooja 6:30 PM Hanumanji Puja 6:00 PM

January 14th, Saturday Every Wednesday Vishnu Stotram 6:00 PM Makara Sankranthi Every Thursday th January 15 , Sunday Sri Sai 7:30 PM Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganesha Abhishekam 7:00 PM Every Friday January 21st, Saturday Santoshi Mata Puja 7:00 PM Abhishekam 5:00 PM Puja, Lalitha Stotram & Mahaprasadam

January 22nd, Sunday Every Saturday Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam 8:00 AM Satyanarayana Pooja 11:00 AM & Vishnu Stotram

th January 24 , Tuesday Every Sunday Pradosham Shiva Abhishekam 5:30 PM & Children’s class by Pushpa Dhar 9:30 AM Bhajans, Puja & Aarti 7:00 PM January 27th, Thursday Shiva Pooja 9:30 AM Every Sankasthahara Chaturthi Sri Ganesha Puja 7:00 PM January 29th, Sunday Vasavi Abhishekam 11:00 AM Every Sri Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM

Every Amavasya Siva Pooja check website for time

Third Thursday of every month Vedic Anna Dana for

OUR PURPOSE The purpose of Balaji Temple is to form a and Vedic Cultural Center on the Peninsula in the heart of Silicon Valley where people can come together to study and worship, regardless of our different backgrounds. Our aim is to promote the feeling of universal love and unity among all people. We will share the ancient wisdom of the and the (sacred texts of India) with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. We will celebrate the One Truth behind all religions: that God is One and in all of us. Our worship services are free and open to all who wish to celebrate with us. All are welcome. Construction at 5004 N. First Street, P.O. Box 1146, San Jose, CA 95002 for landscaping and building will begin soon. Please donate generously to expedite this good cause.

BALAJI BOARD MEMBERS President Sri N. Swamiji (408) 203-1036 Secretary S (408) 718-3655 Treasurer Babu. D (408) 242-8278 BALAJI TEMPLE, 5004 N. 1st Street , San Jose, CA 95002 (408) 203-1036 / (408) 956-9050 Email: [email protected] http://www.balajitemple.net http://www.balajimatha.org Non-Profit Organization.

Maha prasadam served to Devotees.