Special Sivaratri Celebration

[Guest guest]

Datta Temple & Hall of Trinity, Baton Rouge, LA

March 3-4, 2001

Datta Temple is pleased to announce that a Special Homa on March 3, 2001

(Saturday) and Punya Nadeejala Abhishekam will be performed on March 4, 2001

(Sunday).

This year His Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji has conducted Maha

Sivaratri Celebrations for five days in and on the banks of Ganga River in

Haridwar 17-22, 2001. During that time Sri Swamiji sent specially blessed

Gangajal (Ganaga Water) to perform Abhishekam. That Gangajala will be used to

do special Abhishekam on Sunday March 4, 2001. Please visit the web site

(dattapeetham.com) for Sri Swamiji's forecast for the forthcoming year and the

pictures of five day celebrations.

For the last 30 years Sri Swamiji celebrated Maha Sivaratri in Mysore Ashram.

It has always been marked with piousness, serenity, sanctity, holiness, pure

devotion and concentration as devotees see Sri Swamiji as an absolute Lord Siva

himself performing various functions such as Agni Pravesham, Abhishekam to

Sachidanandeswara, bhajans, discourses, and night long vigil.

Lord Siva is worshipped as Panchamukha (five faced) Shiva since it is believed

that Panchabhutas (five elements - fire, water air, earth and ether) reside in

Siva Himself. According to Vedas and Siva Agamas, these Panchamukhas are:

Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Eeshaana.

In order to avoid the impending calamities or to reduce the effect of these

problems and to promote world peace, peace on earth, peace in ocean,

peace in the sky, etc, Sri Swamiji gave the following mantra to chant: Om Iyem

Hree Sreem Namah Shivaaya

Schedule of Special Maha Sivaratri Celebration

March 3 (Saturday)

7:00 pm Sankalpam

7:10 pm Sadyojaataadi Pancha Kalasha Sthaapana

7:30 pm Rudra Homam

8:30 pm Purnahuti

8:40 pm Kakada Arti, Phala Prasad Viniyogam

March 4, 2001 (Sunday)

10:00 am Sankalpam

10:15 am Dasa Santi Mantra Paraayanam

10:35 am Abhishekam

12:00 Noon Archana, Neeranjanam, Mantra Pushpam

1:00 pm Mahaprasadam

Sponsorship for two day $31 Sponsorship for one of the days

$21

Devotees interested in sponsoring this Special Maha Sivaratri Celebration,

please send your family names, Gotra, nakshatras and dates of birth as soon as

possible by Saturday afternoon either by e-mail, fax (225-751-55490 or calling

(225-751-8949).

You can send your sponsorship money to Datta Temple & Hall of Trinity, 6221

Equity Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70809

Please forward this e-mail to other devotees and friend