Indian desis in San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore & Danville

For the first time ever, Ayyappa Samaaj will be conducting this very special puja for Lord Ayyappa on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the Livermore Temple. On this day, at least 100 devotees are needed to chant the 1000 names of Lord Ayyappa. All devotees are requested to participate in this event LAKSHA ARCHANA on DEC 17 2011 @ 4:00 PM and receive HIS blessings. Register for Laksha Archana and/or Maala Dhaarana (Deeksha).

Also, all devotees are invited to attend Ayyappa Bhajan, Archana & Abhishekam at the Livermore Shiva-Vishnu temple on Sunday, December 18, 2011 @ 6:00 PM. Every month, on Uttara Phalguni thithi, bhajans, abhishekam and archana are scheduled at the Livermore temple.

Schedule (Sunday, December 18, 2011):

6:00 PM Sankalpam, Abhishekam
6:30 PM Bhajan Starts with Sharana Ghosham
7:00 PM Bhajan Ends, Aarti and Maha Prasadam

This is part of Ayyappa Samaaj’s Mandalam Season 2011 – From 11/16/11 To 1/15/2012.
About Mandalam Season: The months of Kaartika / Vrishchika, Maargazhi / Dhanur are most auspicious for Lord Ayyappa, during which period Mandala Puja is celebrated. Devotees observe traditional austerities (vratham), which normally start from the first day of Kaartika/ Vrishchikam (November 16). Devotees initiate the vratham by wearing a Thulasi or a Rudraksha maala. After 41 days (on December 25th) the devotees end their vratham by carrying Irumudi and removing the maala. (Kids can observe short vratham days by wearing maala on December 17th and end it on December 25th). On January 15, 2012 we will also celebrate Makara Vilakku puja.

Recently a friend attended a three day Art of Meditation course, and another talked about it. And then another one. So looks like Art of Living San Ramon/Pleasanton center is coming of age.

There is a FREE event in the effering. Called “Meditation Marathon”, it will be held on March 5th 2011 at the Art of Living Center for Yoga and Meditation, Tri Valley location 6690 Amador Plaza Road, Suite 215 Dublin (925-5AOL-101). The event begins at 9am and ends at 4:00pm. There will have multiple sessions that will “help you explore your mind and bring you to the peace within”. This event is for beginners as well as seasoned meditators.

Schedule of Events:

SUKSHMA YOGA – ancient yoga that prepares the mind and body for meditation
BREATHING TECHNIQUES – learn techniques and tools to take home to quieten the mind and relax
GUIDED MEDITATIONS – led by world renowned Spiritual leader
VIDEO PRESENTATION – to understand the mechanics of the mind
CHANTING – Chanting meditation

Participants should bring a yoga mat, water and a blanket. There are no registration requirements, but confirm by calling the number above, or contact sanramon@us.artofliving.org for more information.

There is Art Excel Follow Up on Mar 06, 2011 at 4:00 PM, again a free event.

The next course (paid – $250) would be Saturday, March 17 – 20. In just three sessions of two hours each, participants “learn to tap the depths of our nature. After the course we can use this simple meditation practice to overcome the effects of inevitable stressful situations and make a positive impact on the quality of our lives”. The highlight of the course is the Sudarshan Kriya: An immensely powerful technique that incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and purify the entire system by releasing toxins at the deepest cellular level. In addition you can expect talks on wisdom, useful breathing techniques, and even some fun!
There is another course from March 26th-28th, 2011

• Friday Singing Satsang at 7 p.m. at the Tri-Valley Center
• Long Kriya Schedule at the Center: Wednesday Long Kriya 7pm-8:30pm, Saturday Long Kriya 7am-9am
• Mahasivaratri Celebrations, March 2nd, 2011 from 7pm onwards at Tri-Valley Center

The center may also organize Festival of Colors (Holi) on March 19th, 2011. Stay tuned for updates here.

How is it like celebrating Diwali in bay area this year 2010? There’s been Dandiya dances all over in October. The desi stores are decked up with Diwali mithai and puja stuff. You could be planning get-togethers with friends and family. And now there are Diwali festivals being organized all over the bay area, and you could decide to attend one of those.

There is general festivity in the air. Even the stores in the malls and elsewhere are beginning to show that holiday season is not far away. So if you would like to do any new purchases on occasion of Diwali – the Dhanteras Tradition, its not a bad time either.
The lead this year, like others, for Diwali celebration is being provided by the temples of the region.
The Bay Area Youth Vaishnav Parivar is organizing what they call ‘Diwali Celebration like back home in India‘ for five days from Nov 2 to 7 in Milpitas.
The Sunnyvale Hindu Temple is organizing Diwali Mela 2010 from Oct 29 – 31. The Livermore Hindu Temple is organizing special puja on Nov 5 and 6. The Fremont temple has the big festival going on on Nov 6. The Sikh Gurudwaras have a huge Diwali celebration and langar on Diwali as well.

Diwali at Fremont Gurdwara

Adding to the festival calendar during this time, especially for the kids, is Halloween. If adults want to indulge, there is Halloween Party + Miss India Norcal at an event organized in Milpitas.

The businesses and other associations have been active as well. Cupertino Chamber of Commerce & Asian American Business Council organized Diwali Festival on Oct 8, and IIT Foundation had their cultural competition on Oct 2 in Campbell.
The Tri Valley Indian Association is also organizing their Diwali night on Nov 13 at the Hart Middle School, Pleasanton. So if you are in Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Danville – this could be your local Diwali festival. (UPDATE Nov 4, 2010 – the Pleasanton event stands cancelled).

Private parties and potlucks on Diwali are common – then there are Diwali Meetups like this one if one is interested in for San Ramon Pleasanton area for Nov 6.

And finally, for the day of Diwali, plan on dressing up, lighting up your house, do rangoli, puja, eat a lot of mitthai but refrain from any fireworks.

Every Sunday from 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Coordinators: Subramanya Gupta, Shivangi Bhatnagar

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA

http://www.hssus.org/index.php?option=com_mosforms&mosform=27&shakha_id=70

Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh participated in the Art & Wind Festival in San Ramon. One Sh. Venkatesh Murthy of San Ramon is the West Coast secretary for Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangh.

Mata Amritanandamayi Mission
PO Box 613, San Ramon, CA 94593
Phone: 925-537-9417
Fax: 925-889-8585
Website: http://bayarea.amma.org/contact-us.html

Los Cerros Middle School
968 Blemer Road
Danville, CA 94526

Online only registration for 2009-10 Bala Vihar/Yuva Kendra is now open for Danville: http://www.chinmaya-sanjose.org/new/balavihar.shtml

Hindu Temple of Northern California
420 Pennington Place
Danville, CA 94526

Hindu Community and Cultural Center

1232 Arrowhead Ave.

Livermore, CA 94551

info@livermoretemple.org

http://livermoretemple.org