Monetary Assistance for the Archakas

Monetary Assistance for the Archakas

The Kachchi Moodoor Archakas Welfare Trust has invited applications from respective archakas for provisioning of monetary assistance for them. The trust would be organizing an oral examination cum interview sometime around March 2007.

Eligibility

1. Priests performing poojas in village temples constructed before 1950.
2. Priests having an Income less than 1500 per month.

Please pass on this message to priests and others and have them forward their applications before September 30,2006 to The Trust Office at:

Administrative Office:

The Kachchi Moodoor Archakas Welfare Trust,
16, Second Main Road,
Kottur Gardens,
Chennai -- 600 085.

Benefits

• The selected priests would be getting a monthly aid of Rs. 550/-
  
• The selected priests would also be covered under LIC Group Insurance scheme.

Source Courtesy: "The Hindu" (dated 26th August 2006, Chennai Edition)

Arumpuliyur Temple Samprokshanam

Arumpuliyur Temple Samprokshanam

It is indeed the blessings of the Lord that I noticed the post in Divya_Desam Yahoogroups by Sri Sridhar Swami carrying an invitation for the Samprokshanam of Sri Vaikuntavasa Perumal Koil in Arumpuliyur village near Chengalput. I would like to share the same with other readers and since it falls on a Sunday and a holi-day of Ganesh Chaturthi, everybody can try to attend and get the blessings of Divya Thampathi.

Programme Details

There has been discussions in the said group about the dilapitaded state of the temple and with message has acknowledged the support of philanthropists worldwide towards renovation and the Samprokshanam for the Sri Anandavalli Nayika Sametha Sri Vaikunta Vasa Perumal is scheduled on 27th August, 2006 according to the Vaikanasa Agama.

The temple is reachable at twenty-seven kilometers from Kanchipuram (on the Walajabad - Pazhayaseevaram route) and twenty kilometers from Chengalput.

Please find the invitation below.

Devotees who would like to contribute and participate in the other temple developmental activities can contact the following:

The Secretary,
3/51, Raghavaa Nagar Third Street,
Madipakkam,
Chennai -- 600 091.

Telephone: +91-44-22475183

Contributions to the temple in the form of banking instruments like Demand Drafts and/or Cheques should be in favor of SRI VAIKUNTHAVASAR KAINKARYA SABHA

Sri Swami Desikan Vijaya Yatra

Sri Swami Desikan Vijaya Yatra

It was a kind gesture of Sri. Ramanujam Thiruvenkataswamy and his colleague Sri Dr. M. V. Ananthapadmachar Swami for sharing with the details of Sri Swami Desikan Vijaya Yatra. The yahoogroups did'nt carry the attachment and hence I requested Swami to send me and he was kind enough to send it as an excel sheet. I would like to share the same with other readers.

27th September 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Visakam
2. Camp: Kanchipuram
3. Programme
   1. Sri Thoopul
   2. Varadan Sannidhi
   3. Yadhothkari Sannidhi
   4. Thirupputkuzhi (then proceeding to Satyakalam (Karnataka)

28th September 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Anusham
2. Camp: Sathyakalam
3. Programme:
   1. Kaveri Snanam
   2. Abheesthavam Parayanam (then proceeding towards Melkote)

29th September 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Keetai
2. Camp: Melkote
3. Programme:
   1. Sri Sthuthi Parayanam at Sri Desikar Sannidhi
   2. Sri Aadhivan Satagopan Thirunakshitram

30th September 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Moolam
2. Camp: Madurai
3. Programme:
   1. Sri Villiputhur
   2. Thirumaliruncholai (then proceed to Sri Rangam)

1st October 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Pooradam
2. Camp: Sri Rangam
3. Programme:
   1. Sthotras on Sri Desikan Anusandhanam at Sri Desikan Thirumalaigai

2nd October 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Vijayadasami
2. Camp: Vennaatrankarai
3. Programme:

   1. Vennaatrankarai and then proceed to Thiruvahindipuram in the evening.

3rd October 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Sravanam/Ekadasi
2. Camp: Thiruvahindipuram, Kanchipuram
3. Programme:
   1. Sri Desikan Thirunakshitram
   2. Hayagreeva Mangalasasanam at the hills (and then proceed towards Kanchi for Piriyavidai)

4th October 2006

1. Thithi/Star: Dwadasi
2. Camp: Kanchipuram
3. Programme:
   1. Sri Desikan Deepap Prakasar Gandhapodi Vasantham,
   2. Dwadasi Parayanam at Sri Ahobila Mutt.
   3. Utsava Poorthi

It is a great pleasure that Sri Desika Darsha Bhooshanam Dr. U. Ve. Anantha Padmanabhacharyar (Nrisimhapriya) will accompany and explain the significance of the kshetras and utsavas. The tariff for the tour is fixed at INR 4000 per head.

For further details and tour bookings, please contact the following numbers:

1. Chennai: +919384037723, +919384037724, +919840576238, +919381037722
   
2. Sri Rangam: +914312430733
   
3. Bangalore: +918023564476
   
4. New Delhi: +911122734779
   

Ahobilam Divyadesa Yatra from 14th through 17th September 2006

Ahobilam Divyadesa Yatra from 14th through 17th September 2006

The following are the details regarding the same.I came to know from the tour brochure distribution of Jai Shri Yatra Travels that they are again organizing a three day Ahobilam Divyadesa Yatra between 14th through 17th September 2006. Interested pilgrims can contact the organizer to avail the Yatra services.

1. Departure from Chennai
   1. Velachery (14th September 2006 9 PM)
   2. T Nagar (near Nathella Jewellery, T Nagar Bus Terminus) (14th September 2006 10 PM)
2. Arrival in Chennai on 17th morning.
3. Places visited:
   1. Alamelumangapuram (Thirupathi)
   2. Nine (Nava) Narasimhas in Ahobilam
4. Tour:
1. Tariff: INR 1475 per head
2. 35 Seater coach.
3. Reservation Policies:
   1. The seats will be alloted from the first of the bus in the order of payment.
   2. There is no second coach and hence only one bus. Seats are limited. Hence interested pilgrims need to hurry up to avail the offer.
4. The fare includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Interested pilgrims can contact the organizer at the following address and the organizer has specified flexible contact timings between 9 AM and 1030 PM.

M. K. Raghavan,
13, "Raj Flats",
Fifth Main Road,
Dhandeeshwaram Nagar,
Velacherry,
Chennai -- 600 042.

Landmark: Behind Raja Theater.

Telephone Number: +914442021109

The 108 Upanishads on the Web

The 108 Upanishads on the Web

I came across the following new URLs from a discussion forum which I would like to share with other readers. Both of these forums have all the 108 Upanishads in English and some with elaborate meanings too.

Check out these websites here:

1. http://celextel.org/108upanishads/
2. http://www.shastras.com/108upanishads/

Kalyanapuram Srinivasa Perumal Varshika Thirup Pavitrotsavam

Kalyanapuram Srinivasa Perumal Varshika Thirup Pavitrotsavam

It is with great pleasure we would like to share the news with our readers that the sixty-fourthy Varshika ThiruPavithrosavam for Kalyanapuram Sri Srinivasaperumal,will be starting on
04/09/2005(Monday) and will be ending on 8/09/2005(Friday).

Homa,Veda,ThivaPrabhanda,Ethizha,Padhuka Sahasra,Purana Parayanathikal alongwith Homa
Poornahudhis will be held on two times a day for all  five days.We request all Bhakthas to participate on this. Check out Kalyanapuram website here.

Sri Vaishnava Marriage

Sri Vaishnava Marriage

Marriage is one of the most important step in one's life. It marks the beginning of the new phase of life called Grihasta transitioning from Brahmacharya. There are a lot of processes involved in Hindu Marriages and here I would like to share a brief article I found on Ramanuja.org on Sri Vaishanva Marriage customs.

You can check out the general Hindu Marriage ceremony from this page on Vivaha.org.

Looking into the details of Upakarma

Looking into the details of Upakarma

The Upakarma process is very much important to Sri Vaishnavas. Albeit this is a yearly ritual it has almost become like a mechanical routine for us and we seldom concenterate on the essence of the processes involved.

I came across this excellent resource which goes into details and explains the various internal steps involved. Check out this page on Upakarma on Ramanuja.org.

A handbook on 108 Sri Vaishnava Divyadesams

A handbook on 108 Sri Vaishnava Divyadesams

Time and again, there has been a lot of requests that I have been recieving regarding my Sri Vaishnava Divyadesams website from my readers that I should consider including some publications from where handbooks or guides on various Sri Vaishnava Divyadesams can be purchased. While the website provides all the information, they feel something hardcopy and handy is very useful whilst actually travelling to each of the temples.

I have been guiding them to Lifco Publications since they are world-renown publishers of religious books and literature. But the book on Divyadesams is quite big and I don't think anybody can take it along with them during pilgrimages. It would be an added weight to the luggage. Of late, I came to know of one another handy guide from Shakthi Vikatan from an advertisement of Kudalraagha.

I would like to give in brief the details of their handy guide (as a compilation from thier website and the advertisement) for reader's quick reference.

Book Title: 108 Divya Desa Yathra Divyanubhavam
Compilation: Acharyar Adippodi
Publisher: Kavignar Koodal N Raghavan

Brief Abstract: An elegant compilation of 108 Sri Vaishnava Divyadesam Pasurams by Azhwars, color photographs of various Acharyas and the Divyadesams, details about the Divyadesams, accessibility.

The 800 page book is available available with CD (MP3) and an audio casette and is priced at INR 375.

The other publications are:

1. Audio Casette (1 set) [21 numbers]: INR 1200 [21 hours play duration]
2. Audio CD (1 set) [2 numbers]: INR 1500 [21 hours play duration]
3. Audio MP3 (1 set) [3 discs]: INR 800
4. Kavignar Koodal Raghavan's Publications on 108 Divyadesa Yatra
1. Audio Casette INR 50
2. Audio CD INR 100

(Shipping and Handling charges are extra)

I hope that these publications along with the online edition would be greatly helpful for anyone to get the blessings of the Lord wherever they are in the world. The advertiser has gracefully provided the following address to which one can discuss and send a Indian Postal Money Order or a Demand Draft (payable at Madurai).

Sri Gayatri Narayana Sabha,
President, Kavignar Koodal N Raghavan,
43, Bharatiyar Road,
Jai Hind Puram,
Madurai -- 625 011.
Tamil Nadu. INDIA.

Mobile: +91 9894063660

Email: kudalraagha (at) yahoo.co.uk

Website: http://www.geocities.com/kudalraagha/

Other Services As an addendum to the advertisement, they have also mentioned about the additional services that they render to the public. They also offer astrology services for the welfare of the public. Those interested can talk to them regarding further details.

Andavan Ashramam at Thiruppullani

Andavan Ashramam at Thiruppullani

Adiyen came across the news from Thirupullani about construction of Andavan Ashramam over that divyadesam from Vaideekam YahooGroups. The estimated cost of the total construction comes to the tune of twenty five lakhs and hence they are seeking sponsors and donors to help out in thier noble service.

Check out the URL for details http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vaideekam/message/2060.

Adiyen has also given the contact details from the page over here for quick reference:

The Secretary,
Sri Paduka Charities,
Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam,
Desika Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai 600004

(Or)

Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam,
Desika Road,
Mylapore,
Chennai 600004

HH Srimad Azhagiya Singer Satabhisheka Mahotsavam

HH Srimad Azhagiya Singer Satabhisheka Mahotsavam

Sri Nrisimha Priya, a most revered religious magazine from the house of Sri Ahobila Mutt has made announcements to celebrate the Acharya Thirunakstram as Satabisheka Mahotsavam. As per the news mailer, this year's Thirunakshatiram falls on 30th November, 2006 (Karthigai Uttiratadhi).

They have planned a widespread religious functions in various temples and mutts all over the world, the most significant among the places are Thiruvallor, Aadhanoor, Melkote. There is also a plan of Samprokshanams to a few temples or Brindavans in the planned places.

As part of the celebrations, the following forms a significant part of thier agenda.

1. Greatness of Sri Sannidhi
2. Discussion on the glorius heritage and history of the various Azhagiya Singars
3. Achievements of Srimad Azhagiya Singar in His Vijaya Yatras.
4. Discussion on the various literature created by Him and His mutt.
5. Showcasing of rarest photographs and albums
6. Release of Souvenir
7. Celebrating and Rewarding Pandits for thier service to the Sri Vaishnava society
8. Vidwat Sadas
9. Veda Prabhandha Parayanam

They have also been kind enough to setup a steering cum organizing committee under the banner "HH Jeer Satabhisheka Committee" and have extended an appeal to philanthropists worldwide to extend support of any kind to make the celebration as a huge success, which would be a greatest service to the Lord Sriman Lakshmi Narasimha (Malalon) and the Acharyas.

You may like to contact the committee at the following address for further details:

HH Jeer Satabhisheka Committee,
C/o, Sri Nrisimha Priya,
30, Venketesa Agraharam,
Mylapore,
Chennai -- 600 004.

You may also alternatively correspond via email to nrisimhapriya (at) vsnl.net.

All donations are exempt from Income Tax under IT Act (1961).