Maha Rudra Yagya Series ($75) June 16 - 25
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

We are pleased to announce a very special yagya series this month. It wil be performed over a period of 10 days in the famous Shiva Temple in Chidambarma, Tamil Nadu.

This temple contains the original Shiva Nataraj (the dancing Shiva as seen above) and is generally regarded as one of the five most important Shiva temples in South India, each of which represent one of the five elements. Chidambarma is the ether/space element, Thiruvanaikaval (water), Ekambeshwara in Kanchipuram represents the earth element, Arunachala (fire) and Tiruannamalai (wind). We've performed yagyas in each of these temples many times over the years.

For many years, a group of 11 Chidambaram priests have been chanting Rudram for us 11 times every month when the Moon is in Uttarah Phalguni. A few years ago, we performed a 100 priest yagya at this temple (photo above). It was quite an experience.

The temple was renovated to its current form in the 1200s and it was present here for at least a thousand years prior to that. The above image dates from 1870. The temple has a fascinating history and next week's newsletter will tell that story in detail.

Why is this yagya series special? We have been invited to participate in these yagyas in an event that takes place only once each year. We will have the benefit of all the temple priests with their chanting and mantra repetitions. Combine that with the ancient history of this temple and you have something unique and special. Imagine the number of pujas and yagyas that have been performed here. How many times have the Vedas been recited!

The main mantra used in these yagyas is Sri Rudram from Yajur Veda. It contains many mantras that you are familiar with; Namaha Shiva is one and Mrytunjaya is another.

The effects of the yagya will be to enjoy the deep silence that is Shiva, protection of health from Mrytunjaya Mantra, and prosperity and the ability to overcome obstacles to success.

The spiritual benefits are considerable and this yagya seeks to advance our progress so that we never need to return to a world of suffering. We may not reach perfection of these qualities in this yagya series, but the progress will be meaningful and profound.

Please join us in this unique opportunity.

Maha Rudra Yagya Series ($75)
June 16 - 25

To learn more about this important Vedic ritual and the traditions associated with it, please click here. You will find a complete explanation of the festival, plus links to yagya videos, text and translation of Sri Rudram and Chamakam - the Vedic texts used in this ritual. Also available are 10 podcasts on Shiva and an MP3 library of over 100 Slokas and Hymns to Shiva as well as the full recitation of Rudram and Chamakam.