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
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Puja Schedules
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Sunday Puja
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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.
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Venkateswara Puja
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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.
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Shiva Puja
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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.
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Havan/Agni Hotra
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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.
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Priests:
Sri Dr. Sastri
Vankamamidi, Sri Dr. Subba Rao V. Durvasula and Sri Dr. S. Swaminathan
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Temple Use
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Devotees are welcome to book temple
for private or V.A.S. sponsored public functions by filling the form
or through the Executive Council.
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Event Type
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Cost
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Sunday Prasad
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Minimum charge $201.00. Additional donations
are most welcome.
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Wedding
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$351.00
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Private functions without food
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$201.00
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Private functions serving their own food
Kitchen Use
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$251.00
$25.00
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Board Members
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Position
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Name
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Address
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Phone
No.
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Chairperson
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Mrs. Raj Verma
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40 Regency Park Dr. #608, HFX
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876-8110
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Vice-Chair
(Administration)
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Mrs. Neera Sikka
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65 Roxbury Cres. , HFX
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477-1936
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Vice-Chair
(Religion)
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Dr. Rekha Gupta
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5531 Francklyn St., HFX
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429-4959
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Vice-Chair
(Prasad)
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Mrs.Jaya Dutta
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3814 Novalea Dr., HFX
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455-8431
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General Secre.
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Dr. Bishnu Acharya
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Apt. 201, 179 Lacewood Dr., HFX
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403-8851
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Financial Secre.
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Mrs.Bala Durvasula
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12 The Horse Shoe., DTH
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463-7804
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Youth Coordinator
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Dr. Asha Parkash
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1550 Dresden Row#99 ,HFX
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425-5573
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Vedanta Ashram
Society
6421 Cork Street Halifax NS B3L 1Z5
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Contact Us
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Address:
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Vedanta
Ashram Society
6421 Cork Street
Halifax, NS, B3L 1Z5
Canada.
Phone: (902) 431 - 6000
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If you want to Schedule Puja, Request for Membership details
or to subscribe/Unsubscribe from the mailing list, Please call (902) 431
- 6000
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Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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