India Cultural Center and Temple
invites your family and friends for
Paanchahnika Dhwajarohana Divya Kalyanamahotsavam
MAHA SHIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS
Sunday, February 23 to Friday, February 28, 2025
Significance of Maha Shivaratri:
Maha Shivaratri is an annual festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Furthermore, unlike most Hindu festivals which include expression of cultural revelry, the Maha Shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self study, social harmony and an all night vigil at Shiva temples. The celebration includes maintaining a jaagaran, an all-night vigil and prayers, because Shaiva Hindus mark this night as “overcoming darkness and ignorance” in one’s life and the world through Shiva. Offerings of fruits, leaves, sweets and milk to Shiva are made, some perform all-day fasting with vedic worship of Shiva, and some perform meditative Yoga. In Shiva temples, “Om Namah Shivaya”, the sacred mantra of Shiva, is chanted through the day and night.
| Date/Date | Vahana Seva |
|---|---|
| During the 5 days of Paanchanika Divya Kalyanamahotsavam (Shivaratri) celebrations, Vahana seva will be performed to Lord Chandramouliswara every evening. Vahana seva includes taking the Supreme Lord in a procession in the evening on different types of vahanas (vehicles). Rudra homam is performed daily in the morning and evening after Dhwajarohanam. Ubhayam: The Yajamani's (Seva sponsor) name will be read during Sankalpa for all the sevas performed during that particular day. He/She and his/her family are the Yajamani's (owners) for the whole day sevas that include Homam and Vahana seva. Ubhayam Sponsorship (1 day) - $ 61 (Any one day), $125 (on Maha Shivaratri with Ekadasa Spatika Lingarchana) |
|
| Sunday, February 23 | Ankuraropanam The traditional ritual, Ankuraropanam or Beejavapanam is one of the most important rituals of the Shaivagama which essentially is the Seed Sowing ritual performed on evening of first day of Brahmotsavam to Shiva. This seed sowing ritual marks the conduct of the mega religious 5 day event in a successful manner. The vessels known as “Palikas” are made using gold, silver, copper or mud for performing Ankuraropanam. The vessels are either 16/12/8 in number. They are placed at Yagnashala and seeds were sown in each vessel. The sprouting of the seeds depicts the grandeur in which the festival is being celebrated. The essence of this ritual is to make a sankalpa to celebrate a festival to receive the grace of the Lord. Sastras prescribe performing Ankuraropanam 5 days before the festival and is usually performed in the evening. |
| Monday, February 24 | Dwaja Rohanam & Thiruchi Vahana Seva Dwajarohanam is the flag-hoisting ceremony that is held on the first day by hoisting a flag (dhwajapatam) with a picture of Nandi (Mount of Shiva ) on the top of the Dwajasthambam. The flag will is hoisted amid Vedic chanting. It is believed to be a symbolic significance of formal invitation to all the deities to attend the Shiva Brahmotsavam festival. In the evening, the Supreme Lord is taken during a procession as part of Tiruchi Vahana seva. |
| Tuesday, February 25 - MAHA SHIVARATRI | Nandi Vahana Seva On the second evening, the Lord is taken out in a procession around the temple on His main devotee Nandi (Bull) as His vehicle. After that, Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam is performed to Lord Shiva during 5 days. |
| Wednesday, February 26 | Haya Vahana Seva On the third evening, the Lord is taken out in a procession around the temple on Haya vahana. Later, Kalyanam is conducted to Lord Chandramouliswara and Devi Parvathi. |
| Thursday, February 27 | Swarna Rathotsavam Seva On the fourth evening, Lord Sri Chandramouliswara is taken out in a procession around the temple in Swarna Ratha. |
| Friday, February 28 | Trishula Snanam & Ravana Brahma Seva On the final day morning, Trishula Snanam is celebrated for Lord Chandramouliswara in the Pushkarni. After choornika utsavam (exfoliation with turmeric and sesame oil), abhishekam is performed to Utsava vigrahas in the Snapana mandapam in the middle of the Pushkarni. At that very moment, all the Devatas and Gods invited to the 5-day Shivaratri celebrations also take a dip in the Pushkarni. All the devotees who immerse themselves at the same moment in the Pushkarni will be rid of their past sins and will gain good health and abundant blessings of Sri Chandramouliswara and Devi Parvathi. On the final evening, the Lord is taken out in a procession around the temple specially decorated with his devotee - Ravana Brahma as his vahana. Before the vahana seva, maha poornahuti is performed during the final homam session. |
Ekadasha Spatika Linga Maha Rudrabhishekam:
ICCT will be performinmg Ekadasha Spatika Linga Maha Rudrabhishekam on Maha Shivarati (February 25th, Tuesday). This special event is exclusively included for all 5-day sponsors, Maha Shivaratri February 25th sponsors ($125 sponsors) and 2025 Annual Poshakas 5k and above. Sponsors get an opportunity to perform Abhishekam to Spatika Lingam with their own hands and at the end of Abhishekam milk is offered to Lord Shiva. Temple will provide Spatika Lingam and puja materials to sponsors.
This is a unique opportunity for devotees so please come forward block your slot at the earliest.
| EVENT | TIME |
|---|---|
| Ankuraropanam | 6:00 PM |
| Dhwajarohanam | 11:00 AM |
| Rudra Homam | 4:00 PM |
| Thiruchi Vahana Seva | 6:00 PM |
| Rudra Homam | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Nandi Vahana Seva | 6:00 PM |
| Mahanyasa Purvaka Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam | 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM |
| Lingodbhava Darshanam | 12:00 AM |
| Rudra Homam | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Haya Vahana Seva | 6:00 PM |
| Shiva Parvathi Kalyanam | 6:30 PM |
| Rudra Homam | 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM |
| Swarna Rathotsavam | 5:30 PM |
| Unjal Seva / Dolotsavam | 6:30 PM |
| Rudra Homam | 10:00 AM |
| Trishula / Avabrutha Snanam | 10:30 AM |
| Dhwaja Avarohanam | 4:30 PM |
| Rudra Homam Poornahuti | 5:00 PM |
| Ravana Brahma Vahana Seva | 6:00 PM |
Sponsorship
| Sponsorship | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shivaratri - All 5 days (Includes daily Rudra Homam, Rudrabhishekam, Shiva Parvathi Kalyanam and Ekadasha Spatika Linga Maha Rudrabhishekam on Maha Shivarati day) | $ 351 |
| Any one day (Includes rituals on the selected day/evening) | $ 61 |
| Shiva Parvathi Kalyanam (Includes kalyanam only) | $ 125 |
| Maha Shivaratri Day/Evening & Ekadasha Spatika Linga Maha Rudrabhishekam (Rudra Homam, Rudrabhishekam and Ekadasha Spatika Linga Maha Rudrabhishekam.) | $ 125 |
Cultural Performance(s)
As part of the upcoming Maha Shivaratri celebrations at India Cultural Center and Temple (ICCT), we are pleased to invite registrations from the community for classical dance performances on Maha Shivaratri evening on Tuesday, February 25th, 2025. The Nataraja dance, a powerful symbol of change and new beginnings, is also known as the Ananda Tandava, which means “Dance of Bliss“. As per Shastras, Shiva, in the avatar of Nataraja, is widely believed to be the originator of dance.
Guidelines / Criteria for Dance Performance:
Due to limited slots, candidates will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to submit your registration as soon as possible to secure your spot! Last date for registration is 15th February 2025.
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