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Karkkidaka Vavu Pithrubali
---
30-July-2011 (Saturday)
Purana's prescribe that pithrubali (offerings for ancestors)
is the most noble deed one should do in this life. It is
beleived that human body maintains the characteristics of 40
previous generations and hence it is expected that one pays homage
to as many as well as the Gurus and maha Rushi's who are guiding us.
In reality we assume that all beyond three generations have joined
lord and hence generally limit offerings to three previous
generation and then the guiding forces.
According to Astrology, Sun is the "Pitru Karaka". Karkkidaka is the
month when Sun is in its own constitution. Both Sun and Moon stays
on the same house of the astrological chart on a new moon day
indicating the presence of both paternal and maternal lineage. There
are references to lord Rama doing Pitrubali on this day during his
journey through the forest in Ramayana. This year, this auspcious
day falls on Saturday 30th Jul 2011
We will follow the instructions by Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan, Hon.
Director of Indian Institute of
Scientific Heritage. Pooja starts with offerings to
Aswini Devatas and Lord Maha Vishnu followed by offerings to all
ancestors covreing 40 generations. Scriptures indicate that each
human body manitains the characteristics of 40 previous generations
and hence indebted to them. Once after offering invoking and
offering to the ancestors, all great saints who contributed to the
vast hindu philosophy is worshipped. The whole process takes about
30 minutes.
Dr. Gopalakrishnan once gave a very inspiring speech while
conducting a teachers training session at Aattukal temple,
Thiruvananthapuram exlaining the importance of Pitru Pooja. To say
the least, this is one occassion in the year where we pay homage to
our ancestors, also practical way to demonstrate our rituals and its
importance to the next generation . Those who would like to obtain a
free copy of this audio CD in Malayalam, may email your address to info@srdmc.org.
Pitru pooja is an intergral component of Indian temple concept. This
annual event is being organized as a part of the proposed Hanuman
Temple www.srdmc.org, probably
the first temple in the world envisioned as a tribute to a Saint.
Fourth Annual Pitru Bali by SRDMC will be held on July 30th, 2011.
Event details
6.45 AM - Invocation Prayers
6.50 AM - Vishnu Sahasranama
7.10 AM - Pitru Bali
7.45 AM - Prasadam
Location: Spring Brook
Prairie forest preserve at Naperville, IL (http://www.dupageforest.com/PRESERVES/springbrook.html).
355
to
75
West,
south
on
Plainfield
-
Naperville road, one mile to the right. Or 88 - 59S - 75E to south
on Plainfield - Naperville road, one mile to the right. Address for
GPS : 9s400 Plainfield
Naperville Rd,
Naperville, IL, 60564
Participants: Very often
people ask why should I do Pitru pooja, my parents are still alive!.
Pitru pooja is an offering of worship to all previous ancestors, all
the main Rushi's who defined our dharmic way of living as well as
the natural forces. Any one and every one who believes in paying
their respects to Ancestors (Pitru), Guru (Rushi) and Deva(ta)s can
attend this pooja, including women and children.
Registration / Information: For
additional
Information
or
to
register
your
participation,
please
email
at info@srdmc.org.
Volunteers:We will need
about 15 volunteers for managing various functions. Please email to
the above address if you would like to volunteer.
Fees / Other Charges:
There is no fee or any other charges for this event.
Preperations:
1) Need to maintain Pancha Shudhi during Karma. To obtain this we
recommend practising it at least three days before.
Pancha Sudhi stands for maintaining cleanliness
of [1] Body, [2] Mind, [3] Food (ahaara), [4]
Conversations (vaak ) and [5] Actions (karma)
2) Names of maternal and paternal non living ancestors for the past
three generations. If you can not get the same, Lord's name can be
used for the poojas
3) Shraddha - Closest english equivalent term is attention. You are
expected to do the karma with at most attention and the strong
conviction that you mean what you are doing.
Participants are expected to take bath three times during the
function. Though this will be a symbolic activity, you might like to
bring along a towel and spare clothes.
Offerings will be made by sitting on the ground (no chairs). Hence
recommend wearing loose clothes or otherwise flexible attire.
Watch this page for any further updates or last moment changes.