This is a busy time of year for the temple I go to, and for myself. Little wonder I have no time to think of 'other' festivals. Some extra seva for me too Here's a list, and a few words describing my personal take:
December 27 - last day of Vinayaka Vitrayam, the 21 day Ganesha festival, a homa, procession inside the temple. A few devotees have been going daily, and there's one long Tamil devotional they read daily ... celebratory, auspicious, gratitude
Jan. 1 - Not a traditional festival, but because it's the west, and he is the Lord of Obstacles, the temple is open all day for archanas, homa, procession, as folks naturally want to remove obstacles for the western year too. I won't go, cause it's too busy, and I align my life with the traditional New Year. But it's a very busy day at the temple, in part due to it being a western holiday. ho hum, social, food, external joy
Jan. 6 - Ardhra Abhishekham, the largest celebration of Nataraja at Tillai (Chidambaram) in India. Here, because we have an inner connection to that temple, 5:30 AM large abhishekam, with 10 plus sacred substances, followed by procession of he who Dances the Sacred Dance. auspicious, reminder of purpose, strong
Jan. 14 - Pongal, Thai Pongal, the harvest festival, where the traditional pongal is made - outside, regardless of weather - I'll miss it this year ... on pligrimage ... fun, laughter, cold, brave priests
Feb. 4 - Thai Pusam - the austere and religious Murugan festival. homa, kavadi, and milk pot procession, - silence, austerity, yoga, intense
Feb 18 - Maha Shivaratri - the long night of Siva, pujas at 6, 9. 12, 3, and 6 - for hard core devotees only, I start at 9 to avoid the crowd. peaceful, a good tired, bhajans, Sri Rudram, two temples
December 27 - last day of Vinayaka Vitrayam, the 21 day Ganesha festival, a homa, procession inside the temple. A few devotees have been going daily, and there's one long Tamil devotional they read daily ... celebratory, auspicious, gratitude
Jan. 1 - Not a traditional festival, but because it's the west, and he is the Lord of Obstacles, the temple is open all day for archanas, homa, procession, as folks naturally want to remove obstacles for the western year too. I won't go, cause it's too busy, and I align my life with the traditional New Year. But it's a very busy day at the temple, in part due to it being a western holiday. ho hum, social, food, external joy
Jan. 6 - Ardhra Abhishekham, the largest celebration of Nataraja at Tillai (Chidambaram) in India. Here, because we have an inner connection to that temple, 5:30 AM large abhishekam, with 10 plus sacred substances, followed by procession of he who Dances the Sacred Dance. auspicious, reminder of purpose, strong
Jan. 14 - Pongal, Thai Pongal, the harvest festival, where the traditional pongal is made - outside, regardless of weather - I'll miss it this year ... on pligrimage ... fun, laughter, cold, brave priests
Feb. 4 - Thai Pusam - the austere and religious Murugan festival. homa, kavadi, and milk pot procession, - silence, austerity, yoga, intense
Feb 18 - Maha Shivaratri - the long night of Siva, pujas at 6, 9. 12, 3, and 6 - for hard core devotees only, I start at 9 to avoid the crowd. peaceful, a good tired, bhajans, Sri Rudram, two temples
