September/October 35 Day Yagya Program

($130 or two payments of $65)

October is a busy month this year with the traditional timing for the Varanasi Ancestor Yagyas and Navaratri Yagyas taking place one after the other, plus we are offering our usual 50 priest Lakshmi Yagya.

You can read a detailed description of the Ancestor Yagyas by clicking here.
A podcast containing a detailed description of the Navaratri Program is here.

You have the option of participating in either or both programs.  For those who prefer to participate in only a portion of the program, please see the individual sections below.

Ganesha, Ancestor, and Navaratri 35 Day Yagya Program
includes all family members ($130)

Ganesha, Ancestor, and Navaratri 35 Day Yagya Program
includes all family members (two payments of $65)

The first payment bills immediately and the second in 30 days

Please click here to enter names and birth data for you and the members of your family after
you have made payment for the yagya series. You only need do this once when you sign up.
We keep the family names on file and you can update them at any time.

 

 

Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and thus plays a major role in our enjoyment of life through material and spiritual success. Ganesh (or Vinayaka) Chaturthi celebrates his birthday and it is felt that at this time he is receptive to prayers and yagya offerings and gives his blessings freely.

This is our most festive and elaborate Ganesha yagya with offerings of 1,000 sweet modaka coconut treats and 1,000 offerings of fresh fruit starting on Ganesh Chaturthi, his birthday; September 17th and continuing daily through the 26th, .

The purpose of these yagyas is to promote the enjoyment of a satisfying and enlightened life. Ganesha is the foundation of that process because he removes the obstacles that obstruct fulfillment. As such, this yagya is the ideal match with the 50 priest Lakshmi yagya which brings us the experience of abundance in all forms.

Ganesh 1008 Fruit Yagyas Only  ($65)
September 5-14

Please click here to enter names and birth data for you and the members of your family after
you have made payment for the yagya series. You only need do this once when you sign up.
We keep the family names on file and you can update them at any time.

This month, we are continuing the tradition of performing a special yagya for the benefit of the previous generations of our families.  This ritual is ancient, dating back many thousands of years in the vedic tradition.

The idea is a simple one.  The vedic tradition includes reincarnation as the experience of multiple lives during which the soul evolves to greater purity and perfection.  Families are an important part of this evolution because each generation provides for and protects subsequent generations.  The Shraddha ritual is one in which we honor and symbolically feed and provide for the sustenance of previous generations of our family.

In the Mahabharata there was a great warrior by the name of Karna whose mother was a young princess and father was Surya, the Sun. Soon after his birth he was given away for others to raise.  As he grew up, he was renowned for his ethical nature and he always lived up to the requirements of natural law (dharma).

After he died his soul ascended to heaven where he was warmly welcomed.  But he was only offered gold and jewels to eat. Inquiring why, he was told that during his life he gave gifts of gold and jewels, but never made any offerings for the well being of his ancestors.  He complained that he was unaware of who his ancestors were, so how could he have made any offerings?  After some consideration, he was allowed to return to earth to conduct the necessary rituals.  The time during which he did so is now known as Pitr Paksha, a time during which all ancestors are honored.

 

September Ancestor Yagyas Only  ($65)

Please click here to enter names and birth data for you and the members of your family after
you have made payment for the yagya series. You only need do this once when you sign up.
We keep the family names on file and you can update them at any time.

 

Navaratri honors the Divine Mother in the form of Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, who represent Power, Abundance and Wisdom in their most powerful and charming forms.

Each day, our priests perform an elaborate Chandi (shakti or goddess) yagya from 7 AM to 1 PM, followed by 2 hours of evening pujas when the Chandi Path Goddess Mantra text is recited along with the 1008 names (Sahasranam) of Lalitha; the most beautiful form of the goddess.

We are also including a full day Ganesha yagya at the beginning of Navaratri. This yagya removes obstacles to our progress towards enlightenment and material success.

The final day, Vijaya Dashami, will feature special pujas for Saraswati who is honored on this day of victory, symbolic of the victory of light over darkness and joy over suffering.  These yagyas are profoundly purifying and eliminate old stresses and bad karmas. As a result life is lived with more freedom, happiness and satisfaction.

For a podcast containing a detailed description of Navaratri and the Chandi Path, please click here.

English translation of the complete Chandi Path text

Complete MP3 recitation of Chandi Path; Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Lalitha Sahasranam - 1000 names of the Divine Mother

September/October Navaratri Yagyas Only  ($65)

Please click here to enter names and birth data for you and the members of your family after
you have made payment for the yagya series. You only need do this once when you sign up.
We keep the family names on file and you can update them at any time.