Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in Canada -6 at 3:47 AM

Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in Canada

Vedanta Ashram Society, Halifax, Canada

 Loka  Samastha  Sukhino  Bhavantu

Vedanta Ashram Society
6421 Cork Street Halifax NS B3L 1Z5

Tel: 431 - 6000

On going activities

• Hindi Classes Sundays 11 to 12:15 pm Conversational Reading & Writing
• Bharatanatyam dance classes Sundays 10:00 to 11:00 am
• Sunday Puja schedule 11:00 to 12:30 pm

Venue for all the above activities: Hindu Temple 6421 Cork Street Halifax

Puja Schedules

Sunday Puja Venkateswara Puja/Balaji Puja Shiva Puja Mata-ki Chowky Havan/Agni Hotra

Sunday Puja

Puja, for Sri Ganeshji is usually performed on Sundays. Witnessing the Puja being performed is considered in itself as a blessing. Puja and Sanskrit Manthras are unique to this worship by Hindus which has a great symbolism. As a special request, on certain occasions, a special Puja is performed. The Puja starts with paying homage to mother, father and Guru - the preceptor and then taking a resolve – the Sankalpa, to identify yourself in this universe, day and time. Then one progresses through a sixteen stage Pooja (the Shodasa Upacharas) including Dhyana, Avahana, Arghyam, Achamanam, Arghyam, Snanam, Madhuparkam, Panchamrutha Snanam, Suddodhaka Snanam, Vasthra Ugmam, Gandham and Akshathas. Then one recites 21, or 108 names of God, offering a flower for each name. This is followed by offering Dhoop (Agar batthi), Deepa (lamp), Naivadya (Prasad), Thambul (Pan) and Niraajanam (Aarathi camphor). Finally flowers are offered and the devotee stands up, slowly turns clock wise chanting God’s name and finally prostates symbolizing total surrender to God. Finally the Santhi Pat is recited to pray for the welfare of all forms of life in this universe. Following Ganesh Puja, a Kirthan in the praise of Ganeshji and another “Sivarama Ashtakam” are recited by the few devotees gathered, followed by 5-6 bhajans offered by the devotees. Then the priest gives a talk for 10 minutes either by explaining a few slokas from Bhagavad Gita or synthesize a topic suitable for the occasion. Followed by announcements of community interest, there will be a recitation of Tulasidasji’s Ram Manas Charithra, recitation of Sriram Jaya Ram, silent prayer, Bhog Bhajan, Aaarathi, distribution of Charanamruth and Prasad.

Venkateswara Puja

Sri Venkateswara Pooja is performed every first Saturday of the month on behalf of Sri Venkateswara Temple Society of Halifax. Lord Venkatewara or Srinivasa is the Istadevata ( choice deity) of many households in India. HE is called Balaji. This Lord is an incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu, one of the trinity gods of Hindu mythology. The services start with a pooja for Lord Ganesha followed by the worship of Lord Venkateswara and Alamelumanga. The Shodashopachaara pooja (worship in 16 stages) is conducted according to Purusha Sookta Vidhi. Following the worship of the presiding dieties, Bhajans (devotional songs) are sung by devoties. A brief sermon on Srimad Bhagavad Geeta followed by a parable with a message form a part of the services. The program concludes with Aarati for Lord Venkatewara and a potluck lunch or supper depending on the time of the prayer session. During fall and winter season starting with the Atlantic daylight saving time in October, the services are performed in the morning between 11 AM -1 PM. During spring and summer months starting with the time change in April the prayers are conducted between 5 - 7 PM. The services are conducted by Dr. Sastry Vankamamidi and Dr. S. Swaminathan. All are encouraged to attend the Pooja and receive the blessings of Lord Venkateswara.

Shiva Puja

Worship of Lord Siva on the first Monday of every month began at the Hindu Temple at the request of some Sai Baba devotees. It is held in the evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sodasho-uparchaara puja is offered to Siva Linga on this occasion. It consists of the following offerings: dhyaanam, invocation, praana prathistam, ablutions, panchaamrta abhishekam, snaanam, yagnopavitam, vastram, ornaments, sandal paste, anga puja, ashtotra puja with flowers, incense, deepam, nivedanam, camphor aarti, namaskaram, Siva-aarati, charanaamrth and prasaad distribution. Between the ashtotra puja and other items devotees sing bhajans. Sivaashtakam, Lingaashtakam, Sivachaalissa and other Siva prayers are sung individually and severally. Occasionally, if time permits, the priest chants Rudram and does 'Om Namashivaaya' japam.

Havan/Agni Hotra

Havan/Agni Hotra or Deva Yajna, this sacrament of worshiping the divine through the symbol of light; flame or fire is considered very sacred and highly efficacious mode of POOJA or invoking God's Grace. Essential requirements of HAVAN are, kindling a fire, offering oblations of GHEE (clarified butter) and SAMAGRI (organic material), and reciting Vedic Mantras along. God is called JYOTI SWAROOP or light of lights because He is Self effulgent and therefore the light or flame is this closest symbol. In Agnihotra we create a big flame by kindling fire with wood in a specially designed receptacle called HAVAN KUND. Oblations of clarified butter and samagri are poured into the fire while reciting Vedic Mantras. Samagri consists of some anti-pollutant and anti-septic materials like saffron, sandal wood powder etc. and some carbohydrate materials like rice, pulses, and sugar. Also added in it are medical herbs to kill germs and cure diseases. Devotees draw divine vibrations from four sources of energy which develop during the process of Havan. These are: 1.  Rhythmic chanting of OM, GAYATRI and other Vedic Mantras; 2.  Vaporized material and fine partials produced by complete combustion of ghee and Samagri which absorb divine vibrations generated from chanting of mantras. 3.  The interaction occurring amongst individually held divine vibrations absorbed by the various participants during the whole process of Havan and triggered by their faith, devotion and dedication. 4.  Finally, ever present (life energy) vitalized by the divine vibrations pulsating all around. All these four sources of divine energy individually and collectively multiply the beneficial effect of Agnihotra on these devotees. Further the greatness of Agnihotra lies in the meticulous selection of Vedic Hymns by our great Rishis and the precise manner of their delivery in the whole process of Havan, thereby generating a field of fantastic powers of divine vibrations, immensely benefiting the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual functions of the devotees. Also a very high place has been awarded to the Agnihotra in our scriptures because of the aerodynamic effects of thermal energy produced by the Havan fire in transporting far and wide vaporized partials carrying divine vibrations thus benefiting a large population. For that reason Agnihotra is also termed as Deva Yajna, the righteous action benefiting many in invoking God's grace.

Priests:

Sri Dr. Sastri Vankamamidi, Sri Dr. Subba Rao V. Durvasula and Sri Dr. S. Swaminathan

Temple Use

Devotees are welcome to book temple for private or V.A.S. sponsored public functions by filling the form or through the Executive Council.

Event Type Cost Sunday Prasad Minimum charge $201.00. Additional donations are most welcome. Wedding $351.00 Private functions without food $201.00 Private functions serving their own food Kitchen Use $251.00 $25.00

Board Members

Position	Name	Address	Phone No.
Chairperson	Mrs. Raj Verma	40 Regency Park Dr. #608, HFX	876-8110
Vice-Chair (Administration)	Mrs. Neera Sikka	65 Roxbury Cres. , HFX	477-1936
Vice-Chair (Religion)	Dr. Rekha Gupta	5531 Francklyn St., HFX	429-4959
Vice-Chair (Prasad)	Mrs.Jaya Dutta	3814 Novalea Dr., HFX	455-8431
General Secre.	Dr. Bishnu Acharya	Apt. 201, 179 Lacewood Dr., HFX	403-8851
Financial Secre.	Mrs.Bala Durvasula	12 The Horse Shoe., DTH	463-7804
Youth Coordinator	Dr. Asha Parkash	1550 Dresden Row#99 ,HFX	425-5573

Vedanta Ashram Society
6421 Cork Street Halifax NS B3L 1Z5

Contact Us

Address: Vedanta Ashram Society 6421 Cork Street Halifax, NS, B3L 1Z5 Canada. Phone: (902) 431 - 6000 If you want to Schedule Puja, Request for Membership details or to subscribe/Unsubscribe from the mailing list, Please call (902) 431 - 6000

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

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(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection )