Invitation to participate in the
Gayatri Maha Yagya
to Gayatri Devi, Mother Divine
Thurs. Sept. 16th -- Sun. Sept. 19th
9:15 am to 4:30 pm
(Lunch break: Approx. 12:30 to 1:30 pm.)
This elaborate traditional four-day Vedic Yagya to Mother Divine for knowledge, peace, prosperity, removal of negativity and neutralization of adverse planetary influence includes over 27 hours of Vedic Recitation, Pujas and Fire Ceremonies.
It is being performed for the first time in Fairfield by Vedic Pandit D.N. Sharma of the Vashishtha Gotra in a specially-built Sthapatya-Vedic "Yagya Shala." This is a unique opportunity to participate in a Vedic Yagya that is rarely performed even in India.
The site for the Yagya Shala is 24 feet by 24 feet, the equivalent of the Vedic measurment of 16 hands by 16 hands, measured from elbow to fingertips. Sixteen poles support a double roof the second roof in the center is raised, as it is in many Stapathya Vedic buildings. A Yagya Kunda (ceremonial fireplace) is located in the center.
Directions: From Fairfield Iowa downtown, go South on Rte. 1, left on 227th St., then 300 yard on right.
Highlights of the Yagya:
· Ganesh Puja · Mandap Pravesh: Ceremonial Procession accompanied by drums, conches and bells · Mandala Nirmana: Creation of the Five Mandalas by participants, under Pandit Sharmas supervision · Navagraha Shanti Puja & Homa (Fire Offering) to the Devatas of the Nine Planets · Vastu Mandala Puja & Homa to the Devatas of the land and structure · Chatuhshashti Yogini Mandala Puja & Homa to 64 Aspects of Mother Divine · Shanti Homa for Universal Peace · Evening Aarti & Pushpanjalim · Gayatri Homa to Gayatri Devi, Mother Divine ·
SPONSORSHIPS
INVITED:
Call 472 9952 or 472 9703
Pandit Sharma is making a donation of his time, but there are many expenses associated with the Yagya. Individuals or families may help to formally sponsor the Yagya and thereby directly enjoy its blessings even without attending in person. Sponsors names will be recited as part of the "Sankalpa" or resolution. Specific desires of the sponsors can also be included in the Sankalpa.
Individual: $108 Family: $201 World Peace Sponsor: $501 - $1008
Smaller contributions welcome if finances are an obstacle to participating.
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED:
Call 472 9952 or 472 9703
Help is urgently needed to construct the Yagya Shala and assist with the many preparations for the Yagya, including making garlands and sweets.
Full details at 21st Century Bookstore bulletin board and at website:
472 9952 or 472 9703 or www.oocities.org/~yagya
Gayatri Maha Yagya
Order of Events
1. Bhoomi Puja: Inauguration Ceremony performed before construction starts
2. Panchanga Puja: First Day Preparatory and Purificatory Rites, performed outside the completed Yagya Shala.
b. Shodashamatrika Puja: Puja to the 16 aspects of Mother Divine
c. Kalashasthanpan Puja: Puja to establish the deities in the Kalash, or ritual pot
e. Prayaschitta Prayoga: Vedic Purificatory Rite for the participants in the Yagya
3. Mandap Pravesh: Procession into the precincts of the Yagya Shala at proper auspicious muhurtha time, accompanied by drums, conch and bells
4. Jala Yatra: Ceremonial procession of water for the Yagya, performed by the women
5. Mandala Nirmana: Creation of the Mandalas
6. Mahadhwajasthapan: Establishment of the main flagpole and flag
7. Evening Aarti and Pushpanjalim: Performed at end of each of the first three days
Second and Third Days (Schedule is flexible: At least steps # 8 through #11 and perhaps some of #13 will take place on Second Day, more if time allows.)
8. Avahita Devata Puja: Opening Puja for the Devas and Devis
9. Devata Avahan: Invocation of over 400 Deities on five Mandalas within the Yagya Shala:
b. Chatuhshashti Yogini Mandala: Mandala for the 64 Devis
c. Sarvatobhadra Mandala: The main Mandala for the Yagya Shala
d. Kshetrapal Mandala: Mandala for the Devatas of the entire physical area surrounding the Yagya Shala
e.
Navagraha Mandala: Mandala for the Devatas
of the Nine Planets
10. Kushkandika: Invocation of Devas in the Kunda (Ritual Fireplaces)
11. Agni Avahana and Agni Sthapana: Invocation of the Fire Deva Agni
(12. Kundamandapapujan: Opening Puja for the Devatas of the poles, Kunda and Mandalas of
the Yagya Shala performed on the morning of 3rd and 4th Days)
13. Homas (Fire Ceremonies) include chanting of Vedic mantras accompanied by offerings of rice, herbs, ghee, etc. into the fire within the Kunda (Ritual Fireplace)
b. Navahuti: First Ceremonial Fire Offering to the Devas and Devis
c. Navagraha Homa: Ceremonial Fire Offerings to the Devas of the Nine Planets
d. Vastu Mandala Homa: Ceremonial Fire Offerings to the Devatas of the land and structure
e. Sarvatobhadra Mandala Homa: Ceremonial Fire Offerings to the Devatas of the main Mandala for the Yagya Shala
f. Chatuhshashti Yogini Mandala Homa: Ceremonial Fire Offerings to the Devatas of the Mandala for the 64 Devis
g. Kshetrapal Mandala Homa: Ceremonial Fire Offerings to the Devatas of the Mandala of the entire physical area
14. Gayatri Homa: Homa to Devi Gayatri
Fourth Day
15. Kundamandapapujan: Opening Puja for the Devatas of the poles, Kunda and Mandalas of the Yagya Shala performed on the morning of 4th Day
16. Closing Ceremonies: Performed on Fourth Day
a. Avahita Devatanam Homa:
Homa to all the
Devatas
c. Dasadikpalavali: Puja to the Devatas of the 10 directions
d. Kshetrapalavlai: Puja to the Devatas of the surrounding area
e. Mandalavali: Puja to all the Mandalas
f. Purnahuti: Final Ceremonial Fire Offerings to all the Devas and Devis
g. Vasodhara: Final oblation of ghee into the Ceremonial Fire
h. Agni Pradakshina Karma: Circumambulation of the Ceremonial Fire 108 times
i. Bhasmadharana: Application to forehead of ashes from Ceremonial Fire
j. Uttara Pujana: Final Puja for all Devas and Devis
k. Shreyudana: Ritual Donations to neutralize any impurities or imbalances caused by performance of the Yagya
l. Dakshinadana: Ritual Offering to Participating Vedic Pandits
m. Prasad Vitaran: Distribution to Yagya participants of fruit and sweets offered to the Devas during the Yagya
n. Kshama Prarathana: Ceremony of asking Devas for forgiveness for any errors in performance of Yagya
o. Visarjana: Ceremonial Farewell to Participating Devas and Devis
Gayatri Maha Yagya
Guidelines for Partipants
Location & General Procedures:
The Yayga Shala is a covered structure that is open on all four sides. Go south on Rte. 1, left on 227th St., then 300 yard on right you will see the Yagya Shala in field. Please come on time at 9:15 am or after lunch at 1:30 pm. Please bring a pillow or blanket to sit on no chairs. Plan to stay for the entire morning or afternoon session or both. Traditionally once the Yagya session has started participants do not leave until the session is over. If you arrive late or are coming for only part of a day you may be asked to sit at the perimeter of the Yagya Shala, outside of the covered area. In this case you will be sitting on the ground right next to the Yagya Shala and may want to bring a waterproof poncho in case of rain, and something comfortable to sit on.
Sponsors of the Yagya will be invited to sit inside the Yagya Shala closest to the performance of the various stages of the Yayga and to participate as appropriate. Babies and young children are welcome to sit with their parents on the ground near but not inside the Yagya Shala.
No cameras or camcorders, please. Shoes and all leather items, including belts, purses and watch bands are not allowed in or right next to the Yagya Shala. Please leave your leather purses, wallets or watches in your car or other safe place an area for storage of shoes and belts will be provided close to the Yagya Shala.
Participants do not point their feet at the Ceremonial Fireplaces, Puja altars or Mandalas, nor do they step directly over them, even if they are on the floor. The right hand is used to make offerings, and any circular motions (such as waving a lamp or incense in the air) should be made in the clockwise direction.
Personal Preparation:
Traditionally, participants in Vedic Yagyas dress in fresh, clean clothing (lighter colored clothes are preferred, with nothing in solid black or dark blue or dark purple.) Participants should take a bath or shower the morning of the Yagya; men should shower or bathe after shaving. The mouth, hands and face should be washed immediately before commencing the Yagya; water will be available at the site.
Participants are asked to bring fresh, washed fruit and some flowers each day to the Yagya.
On the day of the Yagya, it is customary to fast or to eat only very light food before the Yagya such as fruit juice or milk.. Do not eat any meat, onion or garlic during the four days of theYagya. Please plan to eat lunch at the site near the Yagya Shala: light food such as yoghurt, fruit or cooked vegetables are recommended. Cooked grains (breads, rice, etc.) are traditionally avoided until after the ceremony. After the Yagya, a sumptuous meal may be enjoyed.
No eating or drinking (except water if necessary) at any time during the Yagya. There will be a short lunch break on the first three days from approximately 12:30 to 1:30 pm; plan to eat lunch outside of the Yagya Shala. Mouth, hands and feet should be washed after eating. Hands should also be washed after touching the mouth at any time during the Yagya. On the fourth day plan for the possibility of a continuous session without a lunch break.
If the toilet facilities are used, hands, face and feet are washed before returning to the Yagya. Water will be provided on-site. In the Vedic tradition, ladies attend Yagyas or assist in preparations only after a minimum of four days has elapsed since the start of their monthly period. Also you should not attend a Yagya within 13 days of the birth or death of a blood relative.
For more details please call any of the following numbers regarding:
Sponsorships:
515 472 9952 or
515 472 9370
Volunteers:
515 472 9952 or
515 472 9370
Location Information: 515 472 8422
Website: www.oocities.org/~yagya
********
Traditional Four-Day Vedic Ceremony "Gayatri Maha Yagya" to be performed in Fairfield Sept. 16th to 19th
For the first time in the USA, the ancient and rarely performed Gayatri Maha Yagya will take place in a specially constructed Sthapatya Vedic "Yagya Shala" in Fairfield for four days beginning Thursday September 16th at 9:15 am at 2140 227th Street, one mile south of Fairfield.
"The Gayatri Maha Yagya is one of the most ancient and powerful of the Vedic Yagyas. It is performed to gain the blessings of Mother Divine for the individual and for the whole world and is considered a Vishva Shanti Yagya a Yagya for Universal Peace" explains Vedic Pundit Dhruv Narain Sharma, organizer of the Yagya. "This is the first time such an elaborate Vedic Yagya is performed in Fairfield and to my knowledge, the first time ever that the Gayatri Maha Yagya is performed in the USA."
Unlike many Vedic Ceremonies that can be performed in a home, the Gayatri Maha Yagya must take place in a specially-built structure called a "Yagya Shala." A 24 foot square double-roofed Yagya Shala made of wood and thatch, open on all four sides and complete with a traditional "Kunda" (ceremonial fireplace) is being constructed according to strict Sthapatya Vedic rules in a field near Fairfield. Volunteers are still needed to help with the construction, which started on Wednesday Sept. 8th with a special Bhoomi Puja and commencement ceremony. Helpers are also need to assist with preparations for the Yagya, including making garlands and sweets.
To volunteer, please call 472 9370 or 472-9952.
Over 27 hours of traditional Vedic recitations and complex pujas and homas (fire ceremonies) will be performed over the four day period of the Gayatri Maha Yagya beginning Sept. 16th from 9:15 am to 4:30 pm each day. As part of the Yagya participants will help create five beautiful, intricately designed mandalas under Pandit Sharmas supervision. A complete schedule is posted on the internet at www.oocities.org/~yagya.
People are invited to participate for as many days as they like. There is no set fee, but donations in any amount are gratefully accepted to offset the direct expenses of several thousand dollars. Pundit Sharma is donating his time. As is traditional with Vedic Yagyas, individuals or families may help to formally sponsor the Yagya and their names will be recited as part of the "Sankalpa" or "Resolution." A special feature of this Yagya is that special desires of the sponsors for specific purposes can also be included in the Sankalpa.
For more details,
please call 515 472 9370 or 515 472-9952
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