Calendar of Festivals/Holidays
Join us in Celebration!
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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
- Sat, Oct 15https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3331081008Oct 15, 2022, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CDThttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/3331081008