THE HINDU TEMPLE ASSOCIATION OF EASTERN IOWA PROUDLY PRESENTS…

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEMPLE &

ANNUAL BRAHMOTSAVAM FESTIVAL

MAY 8TH – MAY 11TH, 2014

2013 May 16 to19

Pictures from Brahmotsavam 2013

Dear Devotees,

The Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee of The Hindu Temple Association of Eastern Iowa would like to thank you for your support, enthusiasm and generosity shown during last year’s Brahmotsavam and Annual Day celebrations of Murthy Sthapan. We hope to continue building upon this success and invite you to join us for the 10th anniversary of temple and Annual Brahmotsavam festival. This four day festival will take place from May 8-11, 2014 at The Hindu Temple of Eastern Iowa located at 1700 Naoma Drive SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

The Brahmotsavam festival is one of the most important and auspicious Hindu celebration. Popular stories trace the origin of this celebration to Brahma, the creator God, who first conducted this festival to Lord Balaji. Brahma worshiped Lord Balaji as a way to give thanks for the Lord’s protection of mankind. Hence, this utsav bears his name as “Brahmotsavam,” which means “Brahma’s Utsavam.”

We have created this brochure to showcase the various religious and cultural events scheduled for the Annual Brahmotsavam from May 8-11, 2014. The Brahmotsavam festival provides a unique opportunity for all devotees to participate in pujas and events, thereby experiencing the heavenly feeling of receiving Lord Balaji’s blessings. To invoke the blessings of the Almighty God for you and your family, the temple encourages you to perform different forms of “Seva” on all four days. To explore the various types of sponsorships available, please review the sponsorship section in the brochure and consider donating generously. In addition, there are many volunteer opportunities that are available for you to get involved with and be part of something great! If you would like to get involved or have any additional questions, please visit our website at www.iowahindutemple.org or email econtact@iowahindutemple.org.

We look forward to having you join us and together, as a community, we will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Temple and Annual Brahmotsavam and make this a “Memorable” event once again!

Warm regards, Board of Trustees & Executive Committee The Hindu Temple Association

Each AM session will begin with Suprabhatham, Vishwaksena (Ganesha) puja and Punyaha Vachanam Each PM session will begin with Vishwaksena (Ganesha) puja, Punyaha Vachanam and Nitya Havan

Thursday, 5/08/2014 9:30AM-12:00PM

9:30AM Suprabhatham Sanskrit hymns recited in the morning to awaken the Lord

10:30AM Nitya Puja Daily worship of all dieties

10:45AM New Vahana’s Puja (Sesha and Gurda Vahana)

Nootana Vahana Samprokshanam Sponsor

12:00PM Archana & Aarti Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Grand Aarti for Lord and his consorts

Thursday, 5/08/2014 5:00PM-8:30PM

5:00PM Deepa Aradhana Lighting lamp by invited guests and devotees present

5:15PM Anugna, Aalaya Pradakshinam & Maha Sankalp

Asking Lord’s permission to begin festival events and taking oath and resolution to start and complete annual festival

Vishwaksena (Ganesha) puja

Worship of Lord Ganesha to remove the obstacles for task ahead

Punyaha Vachanam Purification of the site for worship

Raksha Bhandanam Wearing of Sacred Thread

6:00PM Ankurarpanaga Homam

Sowing of the seeds & Havan

Dwara Aradhanam Welcoming all deities.

7:00PM Musical Concert Musical concert by Nadabrahma group Variety program by Cedar Rapids Kids

8:30PM Archana&Aarti Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Aarti for Lord and his consorts.

Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Dinner Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Friday, 5/09/2014 7:30AM-12:30PM

8:00AM Suprabhatham, Nitya Puja

Sanskrit hymns recited in the morning to awaken the Lord Vishwaksena Puja, Punyaha Vachanam, Daily worship of all deities

9:00AM Garuda Prathishta Installation of Garuda,Vahanam of Sri Balaji

9:45AM Dwaja Arohanam Hoisting of Garuda Dwaja(Flag)

10:15AM Kalasha Aradhana Agni Prathista, Nitya Homam

Worshiping of Kalashas Nitya Homam, Lakshmi Narayana Homam/Havan

12:00PM Archana & Aarti Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Grand Aarti for Lord and his consorts

Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Lunch Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Friday, 5/09/2014 5:00PM-8:30PM

5:00PM Nitya Puja & Homam

Vishwaksena Puja, Punyaha Vachanam, Daily worship of all deities & Worshiping of Kalashas, Lakshmi Narayana Homam/Havan

6:15PM Garudootsavam Procession of Balaji on a mythical bird, Garuda

7:00PM Cultural Programs Classical Dance by Sweta Sudhir and her students.

7:30PM Cultural Program Sampradaya Dance Troup / Iowa City Balvihar / Chinmaya Mission Balavihar, Iowa City.

8:30PM Archana & Mangal Aarti

Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Grand Aarti for Lord and his consorts

Charanamrit/ Prasad

Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Dinner Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Saturday, 5/1 0/2014 7:30AM-12:30PM

7:30AM Suprabatham, Nitya Puja & Nitya Homam

Sanskrit hymns recited in the morning to awaken the Lord Daily worship of all deities & Worshiping of Kalashas Lakshmi Narayana Homam, Sudarshana Homam/Havan

9:30AM Srinivasa Kalyanam Srinivasa (Balaji) Vivah or Kalyanotsavam with Sridevi and Bhoodevi

Kanyadaanam Kanyadaan, most auspicious and vital ritual of a Hindu Marriage Ceremony.

11:30AM Shesha Yatra or Vahanotsavam

Procession of Balaji on a mythical serpent.

12:00PM Pushpa Yaga Praising of Lord by offering flowers

12:30PM Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Lunch Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Saturday, 5/10/2014 4:30PM-8:30PM

4:30PM Nitya Puja & Nitya Homam

Daily worship of all deities & Worshiping of Kalashas Lakshmi Narayana Homam, Sudarshana Homam/Havan

6:30PM Cultural Programs Vidyalaya Kids Program.

7:00PM Rath Yatra Procession of Lord Balaji on a special lighted chariot, Archana, Aarti & Prasad

7:45PM Cultural Programs Bharathanatyam Classical Dance by Noopur Dance Troupe

8:30PM Archana & Aarti Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Grand Aarti for Lord and his consorts

Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Dinner Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Sunday, 5/11/2014 7:30AM-1:30PM

7:30AM Suprabatham, Nitya Puja & Nitya Homam

Sanskrit hymns recited in the morning to awaken the Lord Daily worship of all deities & Kalashas Lakshmi Narayana Homam, Sudarshana Homam/Havan

9:30AM Maha Poornaahuti Final offering of homam.

9:45AM Dhwaja Avarohanam Lowering of Garuda

10:00AM Abhishekam for all murthies (all deities)

Holy bath for all murthies (deities) and their consorts

11:15AM Abhishekam Aarti Aarti for all murthies and consorts after holy bath. Curtain closes for decoration.

11:30AM Cultural Programs Shlokas & Bhajans by Walterloo / Cedar Valley kids.

12:00PM Recognition Patron of the year Award ceremony and New Temple Project presentation.

1:00PM Archana & Mangal Aarti

Praise of Lord by chanting his 108 names and Grand Aarti for Lord and his consorts. Archana, Aarti on chariot

Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present. Felicitation of sponsors

Lunch Food Service – By Temple Devotees.

Sunday, 5/11/2014 5:30PM-8:00PM

5:30PM Nitya Puja Daily worship of all deities.

6:30PM Sahasranama Archana Sahasranama Archana on behalf of Nitya puja family, Donor families

Final Arati & Archaka Vandanam

Honoring Priests for their participation & performance during Annual Festival (Brahmotsavam)

7:00PM Vedanta Talk Vedanta Society of Iowa

8:00PM Vedokta Ashirvachanam

Vedic Blessings to Volunteers, Nitya Puja Sponsors and Devotees present.

8:20PM Shayanotsavam Conclusion Aarti & resting of Lord Balaji & his consorts to signify closing of 2014 Annual Festival (Brahmotsavam)

Charanamrit/Prasad Holy offering distributed to all devotees present

Dinner Food Service– By Temple Devotees.

Thank You