SHIVANANDA SWAMIJI
Maha Shivaratri
18 - 23 February 2020
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Tiruvannamalai, India
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Maha Shivaratri, ‘The Great Night of Shiva’ is the most significant event in India’s spiritual calendar.
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According to one legend in the Shaivism tradition, this is the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance of creation, preservation and destruction. Through the chanting of hymns and the reading of Shiva scriptures, devotees join this cosmic dance and remember Shiva's presence everywhere.
According to another legend, this is the night when Shiva and Parvati were married.
The fourteenth day of every lunar month, or the day before the new moon, is known as Shivaratri. Among all the twelve Shivaratris that occur in a calendar year, Maha Shivaratri, the one that occurs in February-March, is of the most spiritual significance.
Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night, when access to Shiva’s energy is most powerful and accessible. It is notable for its introspective focus, fasting, meditation on Shiva, self -study, social harmony and all night vigils at Shiva temples.
Shiva is known as the Destroyer, but also as Bola Shankara, the giver of whatever is asked of him.
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So Maha Shivaratri is a powerful night for destroying the limitations of the ego but also for the opportunity to experience within oneself, the unboundedness of the source of all creation, the oneness of existence, which is Shiva.
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During the Vigil Night of Shiva, Maha Shivaratri, we are brought to the moment of interval between destruction and regeneration.
It symbolize the night when we must contemplate on that which watches the growth out of the decay.
We have to look behind and before, to see what evil needs eradicating from our heart, what growth of virtue we need to encourage.
Shiva is not only outside of us but within us. To unite ourselves with the One Self is to recognize the Shiva in us.”
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(The Theosophical Movement, Volume 72)
Being able to share this powerful time with Shivananda Swamiji at the ashram in Tiruvannamalai, in sight of Mount Arunachala, the heart of Shiva, will be an unforgettable experience. It will be an opportunity, with the guidance of Swamiji, to go deeply within yourself, to explore and experience the depth of meaning of Shiva energy and stillness in your life, understanding what you really need to release and what you truly want in its place.
Location:
Shivananda Ashram and Mount Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai, India
Dates:
18 to 23 February 2020
Arrival the day before February 17th is recommended
Program:
Satsang, Firepujas and Abisheks on holy power objects during an intense meditation Program at the Ashram.
Visiting:
- Arunchalesvara Shiva Temple
- Fire Agni Lingam Temple and puja
- Ashram of Shiva Shakti and darshan
- Ashram of Ramana Maharshi
- Holy Caves on Mount Arunachalla
****Special Bonus included in your Dakshina is an individual private interview with Shivananda.
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Program Price:
Euro 900.
Early Bird Registration 750 - payed in full before Dec 20th.
Please make your payments through PayPal at: payments@shivananda.org . Note, you do not need a PayPal account to pay. They will ask you for your credit card. You must register and make your payments prior to your trip to India. Thank you! If you need bank transfer account please specify in the email for registration.
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The program price includes:
Donations to the various temples that we visit. These donations include temple grounds, priests and flowers…
All dakshina at temples (you need to pay RS6000 if you want personal darshan with Shiva Shakti Ma)
Puja Items, Puja at Shivananda Ashram and Puja at any other temple
The program price does not include:
It does not include food or drinks apart from anything stated as included in the program or by the hotel.
It does not include transport to places of interest during the program.
International flights from your country to Bangalore
Taxi to/from airport/hotel
Tuk tuk to/from temples/hotel/Shivananda ashram
Food (except breakfast)
Shiva Shakti RS6000 for personal darshan
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Registration:
If you would like to join the program, please send an e-mail to registration@shivananda.org
Accommodation:
After your registration you will receive an email with all the details to book the hotel accommodation yourself, and to arrange transportation from the airport to the hotel.
Nearest Airports:
Bangalore and Chennai
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Shivananda Swamiji very much hopes that you will be able to join him for this very special transformational and life affirming event.
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The Shivananda Swamiji Event Team