March 15 – Pravachan on Holi

4:15pm – 5:15pm – Lalitha and Vishnu Sahsranama chanting

5:30pm – Pravachan by Sri Appaji Panchangam

On the Occasion of Holi, we will start with the chanting of Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Sahsranama from 4:15 pm. This will be followed by Sri Appaji Panchangam’s first pravachan about Holi and and he will introduce the topic of Arsha Dharma.

For the next few months Sri Appaji will talk about ‘Arsha Dharma’ basic principles of spirituality from the Vedantic perspective, particularly as outlined in Srim Bhagavad Gita. This discourse will help in understanding of the basic principles and outline the general perspective. Future discussion/discourse on any Purana or Itihasa will be better understood with this foundation. This topic will take at least 6 to 8 months and then we can start a selected topic such as ‘Srimad Bhagavatam’ based on devotees interest.

February 27 – Maha Shiva Ratri

Maha Shiva Ratri program

6:00pm: Baba Abhishek, while chanting Purusha suktam , Vishnu Sahasranamam.

7:00pm: Dhoop aarti

7:30pm: Pallaki Seva

8:00pm Lalitha Sahasranama chanting

9:00pm Chanting – Rudram, Namakam, Chamakam.  while performing Abhishek for Baba and Shivalinga.

9:30pm Chanting – Shiva Stora and astakam and perform archana to Lord Shiva with Bilva (Bel Leaves and flowers).

10:00pm Prasad

12:00am – Aarti. and conclusion.

 

 

January 14 2014 – Makar Sankranti

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Tuesday the 14th of January, come and obtain the blessings of Baba and join in the chanting of Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Sahasranama on January 14th.

7:00pm Dhoop aarti,
7:30pm Lalitha Sahasranama
8:00pm Vishnu Sahasranama
8:30pm Shej aarti

Makara Sankranti is regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is said as the ‘holy phase of transition’

Makara means Capricorn Zodiac Sign and Sankranti means transition of the Sun from one zodiac sign to another. Makar Sankranti is the day that marks the transition of the Sun into Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also marks the arrival of spring in India.

Where as all hindu Festivals are celebrated as per the Lunar calander, Makara Sankranti is a solar event making it perhaps the only Indian festival whose date always falls on the same day every year: 14 January.

Makara Sankranti is the day when the Sun begins its movement away from the Tropic of Capricorn and towards the northern hemisphere and this period from Makara Sankranthi to Karka Sankranthi is known as uttarayan

Wish you all a wonderful Pongal, Uttarayan, Maghi, Lohri, Bihu, Makar Sankramana or Makar Sankranti (which are all the names in different parts if India for the same festival).

January 11 2014 – Vaikunt Ekadasi

Vaikunt Ekadasi Celebrations
Date: 11th January 2014

Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Tiruppavai followed by Madhyan aarti.

On the auspicious occasion of Vaikunt Ekadasi , we are happy to invite you to attend the rendering of the Tirupavai. The Tiruppavai is a collection of thirty stanzas in Tamil written by Andal also Nachiyar, in praise of the Lord Perumal, (Vishnu). It is part of Divya Prabandha, a work of the twelve Alvars, and is dated before 8th century AD.

Meaning of the Lyrics of the Tiruppavai:

Sri ANDAL is the Quintescence incarnation of Sri BHUMI DEVI the Divine consort of SRIMAN NARAYANA,who took birth on this earth to liberate suffering human beings from worldly bondage.She composed and sang thirty sweet songs containing the cardinal principles of SriVaishnava Dharma during the month of MARGAZHI.Singing these songs,with understanding of their inner meaning, will bring to us peace, prosperity and above all Divine Grace.

ANDAL, though a Brahmin girl, assumes the guise of a cowherdess and yearns for Everlasting Happiness and Service of the Lord.It is the age-old practice of Sri Vaishnavas to sing these stanzas every day of the year in the presence of the Lord in the temple as well as in their homes.

It may appear in the beginning that Andal is intending to perform a particular religious vow to marry the Lord and thereby obtain His Everlasting Company,and that she is inviting all her girl friends to join her.It is only towards the end of TIRUPPAVAI that we learn that she did not actually perform a religious rite and it was her Soul’s inner craving to redeem itself and to reach His Divine Nearness in order to serve him which forms the real purport of this poem.

Look forward to having you all attend this auspicious occasion.

Dec 31 – Jan 1

Agenda for December 31, 2013 (Mandir is open from 6pm to 6am following day)
1. 6:00pm – 6:40pm Lalitha Sahasranam chanting
2. 6:40pm – 7:00pm Instrumental Music
3. 7:00pm – 7:30pm Dhoop Aarti
4. 7:30pm – 8:30pm Bhai Harjit SinghJi and Sarb Akal Music group
5. 8:30pm – 9:00pm Shej Aarti
6. 9:00pm – 9:30pm Dinner/Prasad
7. 9:30pm – 10:30pm Kritis & Bhajans
8. 10:30pm – 12:00am Baba Abhishek / Mangal Snan and Alankar while rendering Vishnusahasranam and Mantrapushpam
9. 12:00am
(Early hours January 1, 2014) Aarti with Sai Nam Jap (Om Sai Namo Namah)
10. 12:30am – 3:30am Open – Bhajans, chanting , etc.
11. 3:30am– 4:00am Baba Abhishek / Mangal Snan
12. 4:00am-4:30am Alankar for baba, (decoration)
13. 4:30am – 5:00am Bhoopali & Nam Jap
14. 5:00am-5:30am Kakad Aarti
Temple closed after Kakad aarti approx 5:45am.

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Agenda for January 1, 2014 (Mandir is open from 10am to 9pm)
1. 10:00am -11:00 Sai Ashtothra Satanamavali (108 names) Sai Chalisa, Hanuman Chalisa

2. 11:15am – 11:45am Reading from Sai SatCharitra
3. 11:45pm – 12:00pm Baba’s Procession
4. 12:00pm – 12:30pm Madhyan Aarti
5. 7:00pm – 7:30pm Dhoop Aarti
6. 8:30pm – 9:00pm Shej Aarti

Nov 2, 2013 – Kalyanotsavam

Bharatiya Cultural Society of Alberta (BCSA) is once again celebrating the Lord Balaji Kalyanam. Sri Murugan Society and Sri Anagha Datta Society of Calgary are happy to provide assistance to BCSA to coordinate this event.

Please see the flyer for Detail and contact the listed folk with any questions, Kindly make cheques payable to BCSA directly.

The glorious event is on November 2nd. Seating is limited due to the venue size restrictions. Please contact as early as possible to confirm your spot.

Kalyanotsavam 2013

October 13 – Vijayadasami(Dussera) – Program

Chandi Yagna
Program:
10 to 11 am: Mahaa Ganapathy Pooja, Sankalpam (sponsors); 16 Mathruka Pooja, Punyajanam, Mathruka Nyasam,Kalasha Sthapanam, Navagraha Mandala sthapanam; Pooja
11 to 3 pm: Durga Saptha Sathi homam (Ahoothi s with 700 mantras using dravyas ; at the conclusion of each chapter (13 in total) neivedhyam; Jayathi homa, Bali dhaanam; Poornahoothi; Vasodhaara (Chamakam)
3 to 3.30 pm Rudraabishekam
3.30 to 4 pm: Alankaaram; simultaneously, Kumari and Suvasini Pooja
4 to 4.30 pm: Deeparadhana , Chathurvedam and Aseervatham
Please note timings are approximate and depends on preparedness for the Yagna.