NAVARATRI YAGYAS Sat & Sun APRIL 5 & 6 in Fairfield

NAVARATRI Sat. April 5 & Sun. April 6 2024

Traditional Vedic Pujas and Fire Ceremony to Mother Divine

More Photos at
https://photos.app.goo.gl/7zCxACWr7u1czgUT9

                             

                                            Durga Puja:      1 pm Sat.April 5                            

                                 Chandi Homa: 10 am to approx 3:30 pm. Sun. April 6                                                                         Volunteers please come at 9 am.

                            To arrange for formal sponsorship of the Yagya, text (641) 919-9147
                            We need volunteers, too! Please text (641) 919-9147.
                                                                                 
                           Location:         2140 227th St Fairfield, South on Rt. 1,
                                                     go underneath the Rte 34 bridge, left on 227th
                                                     2nd drive on right                                             

Navaratri

Navaratri, celebrated both in the spring and fall, is an especially auspicious time to honor Mother Divine and gain Her blessings for world peace, prosperity and beautiful children and for relief from afflictions of all types, including alleviation of the adverse affects of the planets, liberation from troubles, restoration of friendships and overcoming enemies.

Everyone is invited to gain the blessings of Mother Divine through participation in the Chandi Yagya, which is understood to have powerful effects on the cosmic, global and individual levels.  

Chandi Yagya is performed in two parts.  The first part is a puja to Durga on Saturday 1 pm to gain the grace of Mother Divine and receive Her blessings.  This is performed using the elaborate colorful Sarvtobhadra Mandala.  (See photos below).  The second is the Chandi Homa (fire ceremony) on Sunday. Chandi Homa includes the recitation of all 700 verses of Durga Saptashati, a collection of beautiful hymns to Mother Divine.

Those who are able to participate can enjoy very special blessings.  The ancient Rishis outlined the mechanics of how to gain the blessings of the Divine through participation in this traditional Yayga.  There is no set fee for attending the Yagya, but donations are requested to cover the expenses of the Yagya and formal sponsorships are gratefully appreciated.  

Sponsorship of the Yagya:

The Vedic tradition also outlines the value of formal sponsorships of the Yagya by individuals or families. The names of all sponsors will be recited as part of the “Sankalpa” or “Resolution” at the outset of the Yagya. The recommended level of formal sponsorships is $108 for an individual and $151 for a family, but smaller amounts are invited if finances would be an obstacle to participating.
Please call/text (641) 919-9147 if you would like to be a sponsor.

Personal Preparation:

Traditionally, participants in Vedic Yagyas dress in fresh, clean clothing (lighter colored clothes are preferred, with nothing in solid black or dark blue or dark purple.)  Participants should take a bath or shower the morning of the Yagya and the mouth, hands and face should be washed immediately before commencing the Yagya.

Please bring some fresh, washed sweet fruit and flowers.

On the day of the Yagya, it is customary to fast or to eat only very light food before the Yagya.

Fruit juice or milk are recommended drinks.  If food is needed, yoghurt, fruit or cooked vegetables are recommended.  Cooked grains (breads, rice, etc.) are traditionally avoided until after the ceremony.  Pregnant or nursing mothers and children (or a sick or injured person) may eat their normal foods.  After the Yagya, a sumptuous meal may be enjoyed.

During the Yagya, it is customary to drink only water if necessary.   If the toilet facilities are used, hands are washed before returning to the Yagya.

In the Vedic tradition, ladies attend Yagyas or assist in preparations only after a minimum of four days has elapsed since the start of their monthly period.  Also, Yagyas should not be scheduled within 13 days of the birth or death of a blood relative.

Mahashivaratri WEDNESDAY February 26 7 pm in Fairfield

 

MAHASHIVARATRI -- WEDNESDAY (NOT Tuesday!) February 26 7 pm

Unusually this year MahaShivaratri spans two nights, and we will celebrate it on Weds. evening!

(Sharmaji is flying back from India just in time to come to Fairfield to be with us.)

MahaShivaratri is considered to be the most powerful time of the year to appeal to Lord Shiva for world peace, neutralization of negativity, and improvement of health or recovery from disease. Worship of Shiva is for healing, deep silence, peace and transcendence, and the world is in greater need than ever.

This year for MahaShivaratri Vedic Pandit D.N. Sharma will perform four traditional Vedic Yagyas to invoke the blessings of Shiva beginning at 7 pm and lasting until dawn. The location is the Hamilton's porch.

Location: 2140 227th Street  South on Rte 1 (Main St.) under Rte. 34 overpass, 1st left on 227th, 2nd house on the right.  

Volunteers are needed Wednesday afternoon to help set up: please contact Jennifer at (641) 919-9147‬ if you can help. 

Shivaratri is considered to be the most powerful time of the year to perform Yagyas to Shiva and traditionally Yagyas for world peace, neutralization of negativity, improvement of health or recovery from disease are conducted at this time.

The first Yagya – Rudrabhishek – will start promptly at 7 pm and attendees are requested to arrive at 6:30 pm.

The second Yagya is the Mrityunjaya Homa fire ceremony which starts at 9:00 pm. “‘Mrityunjaya’ means ‘victory over death’” explains Pandit Sharma “and this Yagya is said to have great benefits for creating good health or overcoming disease or planetary afflictions.”

The third Yagya is the Shiva Sahasranam Yagya which starts at 11:15 pm. The final performance of Rudrabhishek will begins at 1:15 am. “You are welcome to attend the entire evening, and it is traditional to spend the whole night of MahaShivaratri doing traditional Yagyas” explains Pandit Sharma. “But you will gain many blessings even if you can come to only one of the four Yagyas.”

Attendees are asked to bring washed fruit and some flowers as an offering and to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than the given starting times to allow time to get settled. It is traditional to shower the day of the yagya and to wear fresh, clean clothes. It is also considered important to avoid any meat or egg products all day on MahaShivaratri.

There is no set fee for attendance at the Yagya, but sponsorships of the Yagya or contributions to cover Pundit Sharma’s expenses are gratefully appreciated.

Formal Sponsorship of the Yagya:
Everyone who attends gets blessing from the Yagyas and there is no set fee to participate.
The Vedic tradition also outlines the value of formal sponsorships of each Yagya by individuals or families. The names of all sponsors or “yajamanas” will be recited as part of the “Sankalpa” or “Resolution” at the outset of the Yagya.

Yajamana Sponsorship of the Entire Yagya: $108 for individual; $151 for family or business
Yajamana Sponsorship for both Rudrabhiskeks: $72 for individual; $108 for family or business
Yajamana Sponsorship for a single Yagya: $36 for individual; $54 for family or business

Donations:
If you are not able to be a formal "Yajamana" sponsor, you are welcome to attend as there is no set fee for these yagyas. However, your generosity is essential to make these events happen. 

Donations are requested to help cover the many costs associated with putting on this elaborate yagya and energetically are essential for the participants. Please make a donation if you attend, even if it is a modest one.
 
Pundit Sharma visits Fairfield regularly and is available for private Vedic Yagyas; please leave a message for Pandit Sharma at 630 248 3368 or email him at vedicyagya@hotmail.com.

If there is interest, we will set up a private zoom meeting; email sunpointjennifer@gmail.com You are invited to listen to Sharmaji's Shiva recitations that include Shiva Daaridya Dukha Dahanaya, Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, Panchakshara Stotram, ending with 108 recitations of Om Namah Shivaya.

Here is a link to the audio of Sharmaji's recitations on youtube: https://youtu.be/YjiA3VlD8dM

 OM NAMAH SHIVAYA!