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Calendar of Festivals/Holidays

Join us in Celebration!

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Maha Shivratri  "The Great Night of Shiva"

March, 1 2023

Shivratri is the fourteenth day of every lunar month or the day before the new moon. Mahashivratri occurs in February-March and is of the most spiritual significance. On this particular night, the northern hemisphere of the planet is positioned in such a way that there is a natural upsurge of energy in a human being. This is a day when nature is pushing one towards one’s spiritual peak. To allow this natural upsurge of energies to flow, one of the fundamentals of this nightlong festival is to ensure that you remain awake with your spine erect throughout the night.

During this festival, Abhisheka is done to the Shiva Lingam and we go through rounds of various colors and offerings throughout the evening. One typically fasts throughout the day/night and kirtan and bhajans are sung in honor of Lord Shiva. Join us in releasing the darkness and allowing the Grace of Lord Shiva into our hearts. 

Durga Indian Goddess

Chaitra (Spring) Navratri

April 2nd-10th 2022

The story associated with Navratri is the battle that took place between goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, who represents the ego. The nine days of the festival are dedicated to each distinct avatar of the Goddess; and each of these days has a significant color attached to it (which devotees can wear while taking part in the festivities). Each day of Navratri consists of Paduka Puja, Aarti, Devi Puja, recitation of the Haidakhandeswari Sapta Sati, Havan (Fire Ceremony), Chanting, and Discourse on the Divine Mother from the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam. These all occur in the morning  and the remainder of the day consists of a meal (if you are eating; many people do some kind of fast such as: no food, only fruits and vegetables, or one meal a day), karma yoga cleaning up and preparing for ceremonies the next day, and evening Aarti. Read free E-book for more information. 

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Hanuman Jayanti

April 16th, 2022

Lord Hanuman, the Son of the Wind, is worshipped as a deity with the ability to attain victory against evil and provide protection. Hanuman Jayanti is the celebration of his birth and on this auspicious day, devotees of Lord Hanuman celebrate him and seek his protection and blessings. This festival falls on a full moon on which we perform Havan (Fire Ceremony). Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated by making various offerings to Hanuman including: singing songs such as the Hanuman Chalisa and reciting the Ramayana and Mahabarata.

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Guru Purnima

July, 13 2022

Guru Purnima is the day to celebrate and pay our gratitude to our Gurus. This Sanskrit word Guru translates to ‘the one who frees us of ignorance’. This full moon day in the month of Ashada is a very auspicious day. It also commemorates the birthday of Veda Vyasa, who is credited to have authored the Puranas, Mahabharata and Vedas. Guru Purnima is celebrated by doing Havan and Chanting followed by sharing of Prasad (blessed food). 

Image by Tarikul Raana

Ashvin (Fall) Navratri

September 26- October 4 2022

The story associated with Navratri is the battle that took place between goddess Durga and the demon Mahishasura, who represents the ego. The nine days of the festival are dedicated to each distinct avatar of the Goddess; and each of these days has a significant color attached to it (which devotees can wear while taking part in the festivities). Each day of Navratri consists of Paduka Puja, Aarti, Devi Puja, recitation of the Haidakhandeswari Sapta Sati, Havan (Fire Ceremony), Chanting, and Discourse on the Divine Mother from the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam. These all occur in the morning  and the remainder of the day consists of a meal (if you are eating; many people do some kind of fast such as: no food, only fruits and vegetables, or one meal a day), karma yoga cleaning up and preparing for ceremonies the next day, and evening Aarti. Read free E-book for more information. 

Diwali Lights

Diwali

October 24th, 2022

Diwal is also known as the festival of lights and is celebrated to honor the triumph of good over evil and overcoming the "darkness of ignoracnce". This festival is celebrated by lighting candles, doing aarti, along with singing bhajans and sharing prasad. One tradition links the festival to legends in the epic Ramayana, where Diwali is the day Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman reached Ayodhya after a period of 14 years in exile after Rama's army of good defeated demon king Ravana's army of evil. Another story says Diwali is celebrated after Krishna's Victory over the demon Narakasura. The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna.

Upcoming Events

  • AHS Annual Meeting 2022
    AHS Annual Meeting 2022
    Sat, Oct 15
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3331081008
    Oct 15, 2022, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3331081008
    Oct 15, 2022, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDT
    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3331081008
    Join the Samaj for an online gathering of singing, sharing, and reconnecting. Including: information about events upcoming with new study groups, involvement with Love Our Earth and our NEW WEBSITE! Bhole Baba ki Jai!
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