Dear Fellow Devotee,
As was informed earlier, this year, Ratha Sapthami falls on Jan 22nd. However to accommodate many of our devotees, we plan to celebrate this very auspicious festival on Jan 23rd. Following is a small description about the importance of Ratha Sapthami and also the program for Jan 23rd (Saturday).
RATHNA SAPTHAMI CELEBRATION AND SRI NARASHIMA SWAMI VARI UTSAVAM ON SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY 2010
 Ratha Sapthami is the day when the sun switches over from the zodiac sign Shimha Rasi to Makara Rasi on this " Magha Suddha Sapthami " day. Astronomically, the event marks a change in the trajectory of the sun's path, which affects the planetary movements. The Sun commences its journey towards the northern hemisphere on this day. In the Vedas Lord Vishnu is also described as being seated in the midst of the disc of the Sun; so much so that over time Vishnu worship merged with Sun worship celebrated on a grand scale on this day.
On Saturday, Jan 23rd we are Celebrating Ratha Sapthami in our temple. With Seven horses driven by Prahlada Varada Nrshima Swamy along with his Consorts Sri Devi/ Bhudevi are taken on a procession around the temple. Come and celebrate this auspicious event.
Psychologically our thoughts, like the music of our mind, are like a chariot drawn by seven horses (which symbolize the seven notes that underlie all music) in different directions. We pray on this day for intellectual evolution. The significance of this observation is to instill in us the knowledge of the Divine and set our thoughts to progress in the direction of that Divine. Praying to Lord Narasimha on this day will give you peace, removes obstacles, helps you to stay steady on the path of righteousness and keeps our mind steadfast on the goals we want to achieve.
The Program:
9.30 AM: Suprabatham
10.00 AM: Lord Lakshmi Narashima Abhiskeham
11.30 AM: Ratha Sapthami special Paranayam Adithya Hridayam (Prakara Utsavam of Sri Devi Bhu Devi Sametha Sri Prahlada Varada Narasimha Swamy)
12.30 PM: Maha Mangala Aarathi followed by Thirtha and Grand Prasadam.
By the way, our priest Pandit Srinivasa Acharya is performing a special puja for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy every Friday evening at 6:30 PM. We hope you can come and witness and participate in this unique ceremony on every Friday, specially on this Friday.
Also we like to inform you that Jan 26th is BHISHMA EKADASI. On this day Sri Bhishma has revealed VISHNU SAHASRA NAMAM (1000 names of Lord Vishnu) to Pandavas in front of LORD KRISHNA. So, traditionally, Bhishma Ekadasi is considered the birthday of Vishnu Sahasra Namam. So, if possible, please either chant or at least listen to Vishnu Sahasra Namam on this very auspicious day. It is believed that either by chanting or even listening to Vishnu Sahasra Namam will eliminate many of the sorrows and difficulties from our life.
Again we hope to see many of you at our special Ratha Sapthami celebrations on Jan 23rd, the Saturday.
SARVE JANA SUKHINO BHAVANTHU |
