Maha Rudra Day One..
February 26, 2008
The first day of Maha Rudra Yagya started at 6:30 this morning. We are fortunate to have 12 vedic priests from the Shankaracharya Mutt.
While the pundits chanted Rudram and Chamakam 11 times, we poured water over the new Shivalingam.
After the abishekam we enjoyed a full fire yagya (homam) and then the Lingam was beautifully decorated for final pujas.
Churning the ocean of milk
February 25, 2008
When you fly from LA to Chennai via Thai airlines, the first leg of the journey ends in Bangkok which is a truely elegant airport; a great place to wander around for a few hours. In the center of the most expensive section, with the Gucci and Chanel stores, there is a massive display from the Vishnu Purana.
In the story, the demons and gods cooperated to churn the cosmic ocean of milk in order to obtain amrita; or nectar of immortality. Vishnu assumed the form of a turtle on which Mount Mandara was positioned with a snake serving as a rope.
Above you see the demons who had to pull the end with the head of the snake!
Vishnu stands on top.
One of the gods (above) pulling on the tail of the snake (just outside the Chanel store)! The demons (below) don’t seem to be having as much fun.
Shiva as Neelakantha
February 24, 2008
Shiva as Neelakantha - the Blue Throated One. Includes two stories about his blue throat and why he wears the Moon in his hair. Chanting of Shiva Ashtakam and Chandra Shekara Ashtakam.
Kamakshi temple
February 24, 2008
The Kamakshi temple is the most famous one in Kanchipuram. There is a festival taking place now and the uttsava (festival) deity is taken out for a ride around the streets near the temple.
Each night features a different vahana (mount) and in this case you can see the horse. Tomorow is a silver lion and the streets will be packed! In this case the procession went down the middle of the street and everyone stopped to watch her go by accompanied with lots of drums, and shouts and periodic stops for a quick puja.
The story of Shakara and the Goddess
February 23, 2008
The story of Shankara and the goddess in which he is shown the power of Shakti. Includes chanting of Lalitha Pancharatnam.
Introduction to Shiva and Shivaratri
February 23, 2008
An introduction to Shiva - Maha Deva the Destroyer of ignorance. Includes the story of Shiva and Sati as well as chanting of Linga Ashtakam.
Some sights and sounds of India
February 23, 2008
It turns out that my tiny little “Flip” video camera is great for capturing bits of pieces of life in India…so here are two clips; one of the amazing dance that is traffic here. No accidents, just close calls. The second is the two great elephants at the Kamakshi temple. You give them a coin and they bless you. It is great fun and they are very impressive animals!
Tulsi Stotram
February 22, 2008
Chanting of Tulsi Stotram.
The Story of Tulsi Vivaha
February 21, 2008
The story of Tulsi Vivaha, a celebration of the sacred tulsi plant, the story of how and why it is sacred and how Vishnu got in trouble!
Dhanvantri the divine physician
February 20, 2008
The story of Dhanvantri, the Divine Physician who emerges from the ocean of milk to bring the nectar of immortality to the gods and medicine to humanity. Chanting of Dhanvantri Mula Mantra.