NewsLetter-64

January 2013 Newsletter

6 years ago by SVBF

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SVBF wishes you all a very happy, prosperous and blessed New Year 2013. May the grace of Sharadambal and Acharyas always be with you!

Highlights of the Year 2012:

The regular events of the year – Maha Shivaratri, The 62nd Vardhanti of H. H. Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswami, Sri Shankara Jayanti, Anniversary day, Vyasa Poornima, Annual Gayathri Homam, Navarathri, and Deepa Pooja by ladies were all conducted in a grand manner. Please visit svbf.org for photographs of the events.

Two of the highlights of the year 2012 were the Veda Sammelanam and Annual Maharudram event.

First ever Veda Sammelanam in North America was conducted at the SVBF, Stroudsburg on April 14, 2012 in a grand manner. The Sammelanam VedaSammelan_2012coincided with the 100th year of ascension of Sri Sharada Peetham by the 34th Pontiff Jagadguru Sri Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami. More than 130 Vedic scholars from all over the continental United States and Canada participated in Sammelanam. Padmashri Dr. V. R. Gowrishankar, CEO, Sringeri Peetham, India participated in the event and addressed the scholars. A short video message of H.H. Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami was screened. A very elaborate Ashtavadhana seva was offered to Goddess Sharadamba. In the afternoon, the Chairman of SVBF, Dr. S. Yegnasubramanian gave an informative lecture on various recitation practices (ashTa vikruti’s and varNakrama) assisted by demonstration by the qualified priests of SVBF. The event concluded after all Vedic scholars were honored in front of a huge gathering of more than 250 people. The whole event was covered by TV5, a television channel. The first ever Veda Sammelanam a grand success, and every participant looked forward to another such event in the years to come.

Annual Maharudram 2012:

The 2012 annual Maharudram event was first of its kind, as the event was conducted in one day. 112 ritwiks participated in this last year’s Maharudram.MH2012_Shiva In all previous years since 1995, the annual Maharudram has been a two-day event. The annual Maharudram for the year 2013 has been planned for the weekend of June 1. With the grace of Acharyas and Lord Chandramouleeshwara, SVBF hopes for increased participation in the annual Maharudram with every passing year so that it can be conducted in one day.

Cultural Events in 2012

The First Annual Thyagaraja Day was observed on April 15, 2012. There was a violin concert by Vidwan Shri. R. K. Shriramkumar, after local artists from the tri-state area paid homage to Saint Thyagaraja by rendering of Pancharatna Kritis. Every year a Young Talent will be recognized during Saint Thyagaraja Day that will be celebrated during the month of April.

The annual Gita Day was conducted June 23, 2012. The focus for Gita day was Chapter 16 and Chapter 17 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. An overwhelming number of 152 participants were recorded across 8 available categories. Prizes were awarded for the top three participants in each category. For the year 2013, the focus will be on the 18th chapter of the Gita.

The Yuva Bharathi Quest 2012, the Foundation’s annual talent search contest for young and budding carnatic music artistes was held on October 6 at the Bharati Teertha Community Hall at Stroudsburg PA. The title of Gayika Yuva Bharati was conferred on Sriranjani Darbha from Houston TX. The competition was followed by a workshop cum lecture demonstration by Sri. D. Seshachary.

SVBF completed construction of the Go-Shala (Cow Sanctuary) at our premises and have acquired our first cow (Lakshmi) and calf (Sharada) as the first residents of our Go-Shala.

Acharyas of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham have followed and encouraged the holy tradition of Go-Pooja and Go-samrakshana actively and under the Lakshmi_Sharadaguidance of the His Holiness Sri Sri Bharati Teertha Mahaswamiji, SVBF has undertaken many projects around the world for Go-samrakshana.

As part of this ongoing endeavor, we have now built a Go-Shala in our temple and have acquired our first cow and calf and with the Lord’s grace, plan to expand further. We will be using only the milk from our Go-Shala for abhishekam of our deities.

We invite all the devotees to visit our Go-Shala, take advantage of the rare opportunity to perform Go-seva in this country and support our Go-samrakshana activities

• The year 2013 was welcomed with grandeur in SVBF, with Sharadambal decorated as Bharata Mata, (Mother of the Holy land of India).
• On January 6 2013, the first of the series of interactive forums for the youth “Open Mind – Yuva Sammelan” was facilitated by the Chairman of SVBF, Dr. S. Yegnasubramanian. The event was held at HATCC (Hindu American Temple and Cultural Center) at New Jersey. This series will address youth’s questions/concerns regarding our culture, tradition, relationship and social issues from the current societal perspective.
• On January 15 2013, Mattu Pongal was celebrated in the SVBF Go-shala, where the cow Lakshmi and the calf Sharada were worshipped.

Upcoming Events

Ratha Sapthami (Saturday, February 16, 2013)

The seventh day following the Sun’s northward movement (Uttarayana) starting from Makara Rashi is celebrated as Ratha Sapthami every year. It symbolizes Sun God turning his chariot drawn by seven horses towards the northern hemisphere. Traditionally, Sun God is worshipped for bodily health. In SVBF, Ratha Sapthami is celebrated by performing Surya Namaskaram. Following Surya Namaskaram, all the 27 nakshatras (constellations) and the navagrahas (the planetary deities) are also worshipped on this day.