Nutshell
Mahasivaratri
Chennai Om Skandasramam is conducting a special Pratyankara Mala Mantram and Pratyankara Moola Manthram Japam on February 16, 8. 30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., followed by the homam at 3.30 p.m. Purnahudhi will be at 7.30 p.m.
The Siva temples in and around Puducherry have drawn up programmes to celebrate Mahasivaratri on February 16 (today). Sri Thiripurasundari Sameda Sri Vedapureeswarar temple is celebrating the festival with special abishekams and aradhanas. The Chidambaram Padapooja Ambalathadum Swamigal Math in the town has organised special pujas and `naangu kaala' abishekams to the deities of Sri Yogambiga Samedha Sri Nagalingeswarar in the Math premises. Sivaratri usually attracts devotees in large numbers at the Math, which is one of the oldest shrines in Puducherry.
Thai Poosam celebrated
Lord Murugan temple at Moolachathiram, near Kodungaiyur, celebrated Thai Poosam recently with 80 devotees carrying Paal Kudam. Annadhanam was also part of the festival.
Contributions invited
Soolamangalam, a small village in Thanjavur district about 25 km from Kumbakonam (15 km from Thanjavur on the Kumbakonam-Thanjavur bus route), is the abode of Sri Bhoomi Neela Sametha Sri Sounderraja Perumal, a deity understood to have been established in the temple several centuries ago. Childless couples pray here for blessings. The Mahasamprokshanam of the temple is scheduled for February 26, after 15 years. The purvanga puja, `Balaalayam' was performed on February 18 and 19 last year. Contributions are invited from devotees for renovation and samprokshanam, which may be sent to: Sounderaraja Perumal Irai Pani Mandram, SB A/c no. 246351, City Union Bank, Ayyampet.
Crash course
Annamacharya compositions will be taught on every Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1p.m. at 62, Pondy Bazaar, IInd Floor, T. Nagar (Opp. Saravana Bhavan). For details, contact 24332864/28152158.
Lec-dem
Shanmukhapriya (Ph: 2493 8365) has organised a lecture demonstration, `Trinity's Concept of Ragas — Ragam Thodi' by V.V.Srivatsa at Swamy's Hall, 236, R.K.Mutt Road, Mandaveli.
Sankeertana Mela
Tukaram Ganapathy has organised `Akhanda Sankeerthana Mela' at Paithan, an important pilgrim centre on the banks of the Godavari in Maharashtra, May 18-20. Accommodation and food will be provided to all devotees, free of cost. Arrangements are also being made to book rail tickets from Chennai to Pune or for transport by road from Chennai to Paithan.
Those who wish to take part in the mela are requested to contact the following persons and get their names registered before February 25 so that reservations can be made well in advance for the journey: N. Gopal, Adambakkam (Ph: 93827 19115) or S.Hari, Mambalam (Ph: 94440 66244).
Natyanjali on the Net
The annual Natyanjali dance festival at the Lord Nataraja temple, Chidambaram, can now be seen around the world. The five-day festival is to be web-cast daily (February 16-20) by KutcheriBuzz.com, The prime performances can be seen on the Net from about 7.30 p.m. IST.
For details, e-mail to: editor@kutcheribuzz.com or call 2499 4599.
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