Festivals
August 24th: Sripuram Anniversary
The Sripuram Anniversary celebrated on August 24th, marks the consecration of the Sripuram Golden Temple, a spiritual oasis open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. In this age of materialism, Sri Sakthi Amma established Sripuram to help humanity shift from a purely material focus to one centered on spirituality and service.
Through the wisdom and blessings of Sripuram, individuals can realize that the true path to peace, love, and joy lies in embracing spirituality and selfless service. The purpose of Sripuram is to help people understand the true meaning of their existence and inspire them to transform into enlightened beings.
Offering prayers to the Divine with devotion (bhakti) fills one's heart with joy and love, allowing individuals to become representatives of positive energy and goodness. Temples like Sripuram are not merely brick and stone structures but serve as sacred centers where one can find peace of mind and receive God's grace, both essential for a fulfilling life.
Upcoming Narayani Dheeksha Program for Devotees
April 30th-May 8th, 2024
"In some traditions there is a procedure called initiation or Dheeksha, when one receives a mantra from a master. Why is there such procedure? When we have a master, a guru, who is already enlightened, and we wish to realize the Divine through the guru's practice, our guru lights our inner lamp to get us started. We may have a wick, lamp, and ghee, but we still need a spark to light our lamp.
So before we start a practice of chanting mantra, we receive a spark from the guru, the enlightened soul, and this is called initiation or Dheeksha. When we receive a spark from our guru, who is already enlightened, then it is very easy to become enlightened; however, without a spark, with just a wick and a lamp, what can we do? We will have to work very hard. But when we have a guru in our life, through the guru's initiation or Dheeksha, we can receive a spark and that will help us realize the Divine within ourselves. So in the same way, today, you are blessed. You have received initiation from Amma."
--Sri Sakthi Amma
Connect With The Divine, vol. 3, pp. 104-105
SPIRITUAL INITIATION FOR ALL LEADING UP TO PROCLAMATION DAY: May 8, 2024
Beloved Sri Sakthi Amma has blessed every devotee to participate in Narayani Dheeksha initiation.
For those new to Amma, this is an initiation into Amma's becoming their spiritual teacher and to the mantra, Om Namo Narayani. For those already connected with Amma, Narayani Dheeksha will deepen and strengthen their connection to Amma and the mantra Om Namo Narayani.
ANNADHANAM
Beloved Sri Sakthi Amma has blessed every devotee to participate in Narayani Dheeksha initiation.
For those new to Amma, this is an initiation into Amma's becoming their spiritual teacher and to the mantra, Om Namo Narayani. For those already connected with Amma, Narayani Dheeksha will deepen and strengthen their connection to Amma and the mantra Om Namo Narayani.
DHEEKSHA GUIDELINES
DHEEKSHA MANTRAS
Maha Shivaratri!
Maha Shivratri is a festival that reveres Lord Shiva. Householders observe Maha Shivratri as Shiva's wedding anniversary, marking the union of Shiva and Sakthi. Those with worldly ambitions see this day as the day Shiva conquered all his enemies.
For ascetics, it is the day Shiva became totally still. For them, Maha Shivarathri is the night of absolute stillness. The festival is celebrated by offering bael (or bilva) leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting, and an all-night vigil.
Owing to a particular planetary conjunction in the northern hemisphere, today's spiritual practices are considered potent catalysts, helping people raise their spiritual energy more efficiently. This profound opportunity facilitates deepening one's spiritual practice, experiencing union with the Divine, and receiving tremendous blessings. It is one of the holiest sacred festivals of the year.
Pongalo Pongal!
"There are so many festivals in India. Every festival has some meaning. Pongal is a celebration to give thanks to farmers, cattle, nature, and everyone who produces food and the things needed for our survival...
We have a duty to take care of the beings that surround us. You need not do something special. Just provide space for them to live...
You get everything from nature. You should realize that every being in this world has the right to live in this world. We should try to love every being the same way we love ourselves. That is the significance of the second day of Pongal celebrations. Amma blesses you all to have love for every being in the world. To provide for them. To leave them with room and their own space..."
--Sri Sakthi Amma, "Gho Matha," Connect With The Divine, vol. 3, pp. 17-24, excerpt
In our Hindu dharma and tradition, each festival has its own significance...Pongal is an annual festival that is celebrated over several days and it honors Nature because Nature plays such an important role in all of our lives.
The festival of Pongal is named after the rice-dish that is prepared with the newly harvested rice, and offered to the Divine in gratitude on that day. Pongal, the word itself means moving up from the bottom. What moves up and overflows on that day? When we cook the rice and it is ready, it rises up and overflows from the cooking pot. So we call this pongal...Everyone who is watching the pongal cooking will say 'Pongalopongal!'
Everyone will be happy when they see this happening. So why do we say this? What is the meaning behind it? When the pongal rises up, it overflows-it rises up from the bottom to the very top. Another thing is, the pot is full because without it being full, it will not rise up and overflow. So what does this signify?
Just as the pongal overflows from the pot, in the same way, everyone's life should be without any difficulties...and overflow with happiness. Santhosham (happiness) would be overflowing; aanandam (bliss) should be overflowing; peace should be in abundance, and we should have a life without any difficulties. When pongal rises up to the brim and overflows, is there any part of the pot that is empty? No, because if it is not completely full, it will not rise up. So when the pongal rises, we welcome that by saying, 'Pongalopongal!'
The significance of pongal is that it rises up without any disruptions and obstacles. So in the same way, our lives should be filled with all the good qualities like happiness, bliss, and peace. So we are celebrating this day with the following wish:
Let bliss overflow in abundance, let health be in abundance, and let wealth be in abundance.
Let all these good things be in abundance and flow to us without any obstacles.
This is why we celebrate the Pongal festival every year. All the good qualities like happiness, bliss, wealth, peace, health, good thoughts, doing good deeds, fulfilling your duties (dharma) should be there in our lives."
--Sri Sakthi Amma, "Divine Grace" Connect With The Divine, vol. 8, pp. 79-80, excerpt
