Maha Shivaratri

shivaratri 2011 NYC
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Maha Shivaratri Astoria,NY


The Great Night of Lord Shiva


Sunday, February 19, at 9 pm


Join us for a night of chanting, meditation and worship as we celebrate the Maha Shivaratri Festival, also known as the 'The Great Night of Lord Shiva'.

Shiva is the God of yoga and meditation, the deity of dance, the destroyer and transformerand, and one of the three main deities in the Hindu Trinity.


Help Sponser Shivaratri:

We have many opportunities for you to become part of our Vedic celebrations. Join us by helping to sponsor this holiday at the cost that is most fitting for you:
  • Supporter-$108 (Ashtotram offered in your name)
  • Benefactor-$251 (Nevidyam offered in your name)
  • Sponsor-$501 (Mantra Pushpam offered in your name)
  • Patron-$1,108 (Entire puja offered in your name)

In our program:

  • Shiva Puja, abhishekam: Worship ceremonyand bathing of the Shiva Lingam deity.
  • Shiva katha- A talk abou the life and qualities of Lord Shiva.
  • Pranayama and guided meditation
  • Instruction of Japa practice (A mantra meditation with prayer beads).
  • Rudraksha Alankar-Offering Rudraksha malas (Prayer beads) to Lord Shiva 
  • All night devotional chanting and Kirtan, along with Japa practice of the "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra, ond round every hour.

*Rudraksha Malas, which translates as "the eyes" or "tears" of Shiva,are often called miracle beads and they are cherished in India as one of the holiest items that contain numerous mystical powers are and provide tranquility and concentration. Rudraksha is a seed that comes from of a fruit tree grown in India, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia.  
 

A 15 minute Japa Practice session (Mantra meditation), will take place every hour throughout the Shivaratri night. We will recite the "Om trayambakam" and the "Om namah Shivaya" mantra along with the prayer beads.

(You can bring your own prayer beads, purchase a mala from our temple store during the event, or pre-order a meditation rosary online at the link below and pick it up when you arrive at the venue.) 

"According to Shaivism, enlightenment has two different aspects: atma vyapti and Siva vyapti. Atma vyapti means "to emerge in the Self." It is the experience of God or Shiva in the depths of oneself; it is to fall in love with everything, in our interior. Siva vyapti is to "emerge in Siva as the world," it happens when we open our eyes and become aware of that single nature, found within oneself, that lies behind every being"
--Ramakrishnananda Swami Sakshipada

Why are we chanting the "Om Trayambakam" prayer on Shivaratri night?

This great mantra, also known as the Great Death-Conquering mantra, is dedicated to Rudra (Shiva) and is found in the Rig Veda, (7.59.12). It is one of the most  mantras used for contemplation and meditation. It refers to Shiva's three eyes and is a component of the life-restoring practice that was given to the primodial sage Shukra following an intense practice of austerities


oṁ trayaṁbakaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ puṣṭi-vardhanam
urvārūkamiva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā mṛtāt


Translation: Oṁ. I worship the three-eyed-one (Lord Śiva) who is fragrant and who perfectly nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death so that I may know immortality, even as a cucumber is released from its bondage (to the creeper).