AGATHIYAR GURU PUJA PART 1

Agathiyar's Jayanthi and Guru Puja is just around the corner. This year it falls on 18 December 2016. Temples, Ashrams, Peedhams and individuals all over are making preparations to celebrate this event in a grand way.

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram has worked hard towards completing his new ashram in time to host this annual event. This year it would be a four day celebration unlike the earlier two day fests.

Meanwhile Thavathiru Kumar Swamigal of the Sri Agathiyar Ashram and his Guru Thavathiru Kaathu Swamigal too will hold a similar event at their Ashram in Periyatadagam, Coimbatore. This event will be held on 18 December 2016 too from 9am till 12 noon beginning with the Vezhvi Yagam and followed by 108 Muligai Abhisegam for Agathiyar and continued with Parvathi Parameswaran Thirukalyanam.

Devotees in Malaysia can participate in a similar event that will take place at the Sri Agathiyar Sannadhi at the Sri Raja Nageswari Amman Temple at Eco City at 7am, and later at 10.30am at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) on 18 December 2016.

Tirupattur Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple

FEEDING THE POOR & UNFORTUNATE

The Siddhas encourage us to feed the unfortunate besides doing tapas. Ramalinga Adigal when he came to settle in Vadalur started the Satya Dharma Salai to feed the poor in and around Vadalur.

Following in Adigal's footsteps is Sadhu Janagiraman of Thiruvannamalai. He explains why Adigal built the Dharma Salai and began to feed the masses.

Sadhu Janagiraman while in Malaysia early this year officiated the "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" feeding program at Batu Caves on the turn of the Tamil new year last April, that has been kept alive till today by Sri Krishna of AUM and members of AVM, Thondu Seivom and Amudha Surabhi.

Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkara Kudil, who performs Annadhanam in and around, Turaiyur, has inspired his devotees to follow closely in his footsteps and establish similar missions in their own localities. Today his mission extends beyond the shores of India. Over the years many have initiated and are successfully carrying out this noble service, sharing their wealth, food and time with these unfortunate souls.

On the other side of the globe, we come across numerous organizations spearheading this noble activity of feeding the poor.

http://www.feedthechildren.org/

https://www.youtube.com/user/FeedTheChildrenOrg/videos

https://feedthehungry.org/

On the local front many charitable Malaysians are doing their part too in bringing aid and food to the needy. See http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/urban-poor-make-up-majority-at-soup-kitchens-ngos-say

Mike Meyers who is "Food for the Hungry" Chief Development Officer, having 17 years of experience in non-profit management, with marketing and fundraising experience on five continents writes,

"When my kids were younger, they struggled to understand why I had to fly to different parts of the world for various periods of time for work. Every time I left, I explained that giving isn’t always about monetary donations. Sometimes, it’s about giving of ourselves, our time and our talents to help others. Now, when I leave to catch a flight, they understand that dad is giving back because it is important in helping others." Source: https://blog.fh.org/2016/11/shaping-thankful-hearts/

It is sad to note that,

"The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 795 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2014-2016." Source : http://www.worldhunger.org/2015-world-hunger-and-poverty-facts-and-statistics/

but on the other hand, it's heartening to learn that this figure is down 167 million over the past decade and is 216 million less than in 1990-1992 due to numerous efforts by individuals and charitable organizations taking an active role in eradicating poverty around the globe. Source: http://www.stophungernow.org/learn/hunger-facts/ although the Kuala Lumpur City Council 's (DBKL) survey reveals otherwise the situation in present day Kuala Lumpur city.

"The number of homeless people in Kuala Lumpur have increased by threefold, from 600 in 2014 to at least 2,000 people last year, based on a survey conducted by the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL)." Source: http://malaysiandigest.com/features/596717-numbers-of-homeless-people-increased-by-three-fold-in-kuala-lumpur-what-are-we-doing-to-curb-the-problem.html

Let's do our part in a small way by extending aid for a start to those in need in our locality. Let's take up the calling and let's walk the talk. 

Siddha Heartbeat is proud to showcase the help extended by members of AVM through their service orientated arm Thondu Seivom and financial arm Amudha Surabhi and that of AUM's "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" program.

SRI KALA BAIRAVAR MAHA VELVI

ANNADHANAM

Balachandran Gunasekaran and his family members and relatives set out again on their 7th occasion of feeding or Annadhanam at a home close to their home in Semenyih today. 

Meanwhile I joined Sri Krishna and Sanga Manikam on their monthly rounds within Kuala Lumpur city in distributing food parcels to the homeless, poor and hungry.

Sri and Srimathy Krishna prepared the food at their home and after receiving Agathiyar's blessings Krishna distributed the food parcels with Sanga at the wheels.

Many came towards us to receive the food and drinks. Some called over their fellow mates when they knew that food was being distributed.

Although it was emotionally fulfilling to see the bliss and joy in the faces of the recipients, I was equally sad to see the increasing number of homeless and hungry souls in the capital.

Having gone to the ground with them, I personally witnessed the amount of devotion, dedication and care that these good souls had for the unfortunate. Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM), United Agathiyan, Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), Thondu Seivom and Amudha Surabhi and the contributions of its members made "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" possible. Siddha Heartbeat takes this opportunity to thank all these good souls.

SITTHAR MAHAA VELVI POOJA

THAVATHIRU KUMAR SWAMIGAL

Thavathiru Kumar Swamigal used to exchange photos taken during Puja at his Ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Ashram at Periya Thadagam, Coimbatore on Messenger. When he came to Malaysia recently on the invitation of the Temple of Fine Arts, Sri Krishna brought him over to AVM. During the few minutes we spoke before we started the weekly Guru Naal Puja as it was a Thursday, I realized that we shared certain common principles.  

Swamiji told us that at his Ashram, devotees are encouraged to perform the rituals themselves. When I invited him to take the stand and conduct the Homam and Abhisegam he most humbly told us to go ahead with whatever we used to do. He only participated when we requested him to join us sing a hymn or two. During the interview before the camera I requested him to speak about himself, his experiences and achievements. He most humbly refused saying that his Guru was around. 

These answers made me sit back and acknowledge what a humble soul he was and I began to admire him for I too shared these principles: Create opportunities for devotees to actively participate in the rituals rather than be passive; Never budge into or disrupt another's Puja routine by bringing changes or our ideas into it; When the Guru is around, a disciple should learn to silence himself and become "invisible".

But off the camera he very briefly ran down his life story since I had asked to know.

Swamiji conducted a Homam and Puja in Sri Krishna's home before performing the Yagam and Abhisegam for Agathiyar at the Bangsar Temple with 108 herbs. Agathiyar from AVM too was drenched in the 108 herbs as we brought him over on the request of Sri and Srimathi Krishna.

At the invitation of Dr Thiagarajah from the Sri Mayuranathar Temple/ Pamban Swamigal Alayam in Dengkil, Swamiji performed the Yagam and Puja.

Swamiji with Dr Thiaga (far left), Pamban Maniam Aiya (second from left) and Sri Krishna (far right)

SITTHAR MAHAA VELVI POOJA

The Arul Guru Agathiyar Arul Sitthar Peedam at Bandar Botanik, Klang (Malaysia) will conduct the "Sitthar Mahaa Velvi Poosai" tomorrow, 19th Nov 2016 beginning at 10am with the libation or Abishegam for Agathiyar and Lobama followed by the Sitthar Mahaa Velvi Poosai at 6.30pm till 8.30pm. Devotees are encouraged to bring along milk, sugarcane juice, tender coconuts, pure ghee, Homa Kuttu or herbs to be placed in the Yagam, fruits and flowers for the prayers and sweets for use during Abhisegam and Yagam.

See http://arulgnanajyothi.blogspot.my/2016/11/19112016-sitthar-maha-velvi-poosai.html

KALLAR ASHRAM

The statue of Agathiyar has been installed in the Meditation Hall of the new Kallar Ashram. 

The 18 Siddhas were installed much earlier. 

The Ashram is geared up to celebrate the upcoming Guru Puja beginning 15 December 2016 till 18 December 2016.