Tila Homa & Pitru Puja

PAYING HOMAGE TO ALL OUR ANCESTORS

Saturday September 14th from 9:30 AM - Click Here to Register

Tila Homa and Pitru Shraardha Yajna during Pitru Paksh

Br. Ramanand will conduct Tila Homa and a Puja for departed souls from 10:00 AM on September 14th at M A Center New England

There will be two ceremonies conducted and will last about 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

The two ceremonies are:

1) Pitru Puja/Yajna for departed souls:

Cost: $25 per person. $50 for family (children above 10 can participate)

Intended for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. The ritual performed on this day is considered as fruitful as one conducted in the holy city of Gaya which is seen as a special place to perform the rite.

2) Tila Homa:

      For departed souls, to be performed 45 days after death or later; for peace of one's ancestors and to receive the blessings of ancestors.

      Cost: $190 each.

Ganapathy Homa

A Ganapathy Homa also is available if anyone is interested.cost: $65

If you are conducting Tila Homa you do not have to pay seperately for Pitru Puja (Pitru Puja is included in the price)
We encourage you to come at 9:30 AM to register and settle in and attend the Tila Homa even if you are only paying for the Pitru Puja.
Detailed instructions will be provided as to how to conduct the Puja. All the items needed will also be provided. Prasad and Lunch will be provided after the Puja.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ARRANGE FOR ITEMS FOR THE PUJA. NO WALKINS PLEASE.

THE HOMA WILL START PROMPTLY AT 10:00 AM.  PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY SO AS TO NOT DISTURB THE MEDITATIVE ATMOSPHERE.

A Ganapathy Homa also is available if anyone is interested.cost: $65

TO REGISTER :  Please CLICK HERE 

Why do we do Pitru Shraarddha or Pitru Yajna?

Pitra Paksh - The fortnight of Ancestors

In Indian Culture, the day starting from Purnima (full moon night) of Shukla Paksh of Bhadra Pad month till the Amavasya (No moon night) of the Krishna Paksh of Ashwin month is considered to be the period dedicated to our departed ancestors. This period of 16 days is known as "Pitra Paksh or the Shraadh Kaal". This period is said to be very auspicious for performing special rituals known as "Shraadh Karma" for appeasing our departed Ancestors and getting their blessings. These rituals of Shraadh Karma are suppose to be done by every person irrespective of caste, creed and culture as they are mandatory for everyone according to Ancient Vedic Texts.

The Following are the day & dates for the Shraadh Paksh in the year 2019 :

13th September 2019 (Friday) - Purnima Shraddh
14th September 2019 (Saturday) - Pratipada Shraddha
15th September 2019 (Sunday) - Dwitiya Shraddha or Dooj Shraddha
17th September 2019 (Tuesday) - Tritiya Shraddha
18th September 2019 (Wednesday) - Maha Bharani or Chaturthi Shraddha
19th September 2019 (Thursday) - Panchami Shraddha
20th September 2019 (Friday) - Shashti Shraddha
21st September 2019 (Saturday) - Saptami Shraddha
22nd September 2019 (Sunday) - Ashtami Shraddha
23rd September 2019 (Monday) - Navami Shraddha
24th September 2019 (Tuesday) - Dashmi Shraddha
25th September 2019 (Wednesday) - Ekadashi Shraddha, Dwadashi Shraddha
26th September 2019 (Thursday) - Trayodashi Shraddh
27th September 2019 (Friday) - Chaturdashi Shraddha
28th September 2019 (Saturday) - Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya Shraddha

In Hindu culture, the status of parents is considered equivalent to Devatas (Gods). Therefore as per Ancient Vedic Texts, even the Gods become happy and shower their blessings on a person who serves his parents. According to Brahma Purana, a person who performs Shraadh Karma with full dedication appeases Brahma, Rudra, Ashwini Kumar, Sun, Fire, Air in addition to his Ancestors and is thereby blessed with Health, Wealth and Happiness.

During the ritual, participants wear a sacred ring (pavithram) made of dharba (a grass) and make an offering of sesame seeds, cooked rice, and water placed on a banana leaf into a nearby body of water.

Its an opportunity for each one of us to express our gratitude towards our departed ancestors, and pray for their wellbeing and spiritual progress.

This ceremony is considered as a part of Pitru Yajna (sacrifice for parents) – one of the Pancha-mahayagnas (5 sacrifices) we should perform as part of a Dharmic life.

Amma says, “We always have a thought of only getting, never of giving to others. We grew up because our parents have been giving to us. Now whatever we may give, we cannot repay for what they have given us. Through this ritual, we are showing our respect, out gratitude, towards our departed ancestors. Giving verbal thanks only remains as words, and doesn’t get translated into action. By partaking in this ritual, we are performing action – spending some time for others, spending some money for them, and chanting mantras. We therefore get purified, creating positive vibrations.

The people who have died might have taken a new birth or attained moksha.

Even the remote villagers get their mail properly only if the address is correct.

You are even able to call him by dialing the correct mobile number.

Or if the email id is correct, it will reach him wherever he is.

Similarly, if your sankalpa is pure, when making offerings towards departed souls, the result will reach him/her even if he has taken another birth. In addition, we also get the benefit of the mantras and the good actions we do.

This ritual is part of Sanatana Dharma, which believes in the rebirth. Whether you believe in this or not, whether they are reborn or not, we get a punya (merit) for the actions we do.

For each action there are two types of results. Drushta Phalam and Adrusthta Phalam – the seen and the unseen results. When we feed a hungry orphan, we feel the joy when we see him enjoying the food we have offered – that is drushta phalam. The result is visible. By giving food we get some punya – merit. That is the unseen result, adrusthta phalam. If you are a sadhak, all that you are doing is done selflessly, the whole world will benefit.”

Stating the example of some of the ashramites, Amma concluded, “If there is a Sannyasi in a family, three generations before and four generations in the future will receive the merit of his Sannyas! "

Brahmachari Ramanand, spiritual director of M A Center New England is a long time disciple of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma). He met Amma at the tender age of 3 and has had the good fortune of being with Her, in the Amritapuri ashram in India, from a very young age.

He has written and composed many devotional songs (bhajans) and his melodious voice can often be heard alongside Amma during many bhajans. One can feel the divine grace flow through his soulful singing.

Presently, Br. Ramanand oversees the activities of M.A. Centers in the eastern US and Canada. He travels to many cities in order to inspire the different Amma satsangs to better serve their communities and keep alive the flame of selfless-service that Amma has lit in their hearts.

Br. Ramanand holds a Doctorate Degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland and his talks, usually conveyed humorously, are very inspiring and uplifting.