Maha Shivaratri

Mar 8, 2024 8:00pm to Mar 9, 2024 8:30am (ended)

During Amma's 2016 Shivaratri message, she said, "Shivaratri is a celebration of sacrifice, dispassion and renunciation. Shivaratri teaches us to abandon all other thoughts in contemplation of God, and to realize the ultimate purpose of human life."

Join us for an all-night Shivaratri program on Friday, March 8, 2024 at MA Center Chicago (for those who attend our weekly satsang on Saturdays, please note: because this program is on a Friday, there will be NO satsang on Saturday March 9th).

Our Shivaratri program will include a virtual Shivaratri talk by Swamini Ambikamrita Prana, puja, chanting, bhajans,  meditation and more. Here's the schedule:

7:00 - 8:30 pm: a light dinner will be served

8:30 - 9:45 pm: Archana and Mahisasuramardini Stotram
9:45 - 10:00 pm:  Chai and snack break
10:00 - 11:00 pm: Virtual Shivaratri satsang talk by Swamini Ambikamrita Prana
11:00 - 1:00 am: Puja, chanting, and bhajans
1:00 - 1:30 am: Break/cleanup
1:30 - 3:00 am: Cultural program
3:00 - 3:45 am: Bhajans 
3:45 - 4:00 am: Break
4:00 - 5:00 am: Archana
5:00 am - Amma's daily livestream program

For information about on-site accommodations, please email macclodging@macenters.org.

Masking is now optional in group gatherings and spaces at MA Center Chicago. Keeping the health and safety of all who wish to attend uppermost in our minds, please abide by the following Covid guidelines:

IIf you have any COVID symptoms, test immediately. If you test positive, isolate for 5 days after symptom onset. You can end isolation after 5 days but should wear a high-quality mask for 5 additional days around others. If you have severe symptoms for 5 days, please isolate for an additional 5 days. MA Center Chicago residents should notify a member of the COVID Preparedness Team to request help obtaining food/other supplies.

No testing is required after international travel, unless you present symptoms.

If you have any questions, please email macenterchicago@ammagroups.org.

Saturday
Jan
25
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Amma says, "Bhajans are prayers in the form of songs, rich in meaning and full of devotional content." The MACC Bhajan Class meets virtually on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 2:30 to 3:45 pm. This class is offered for those who wish to learn bhajans and study devotional songs and... more ›
Saturday
Jan
25
3:00pm - 4:00pm
"A river that flows through many branches will not have a powerful current. If the branches are redirected and the river is redirected to flow only through the main stream, the force of the current will increase greatly. It may even be possible to generate electricity from such a strong current.... more ›
Saturday
Jan
25
4:00pm - 7:30pm
Amma says, "Satsang has the power to turn our minds towards good thoughts. Children, don't waste any opportunity to participate in satsang." Join us for satsang with Swamini Ambikamrita Prana, starting with group archana at 4PM CT. Swamini typically leads a gentle stretching session or a meditation... more ›
Sunday
Jan
26
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join us for a group viewing of a Rama television series in the MA Center Chicago satsang hall on Sunday at 2 pm CT (except the first Sunday of every month, which is dedicated to... more ›
Sunday
Jan
26
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Join the MA Center Chicago knitting and crocheting group to help people in need of warm hats, scarves, and more. The group meets from 3PM to 5PM on the second and fourth Sunday of each month in the South Lodge Community Room.  All skill levels are welcome, and if you are unable to attend the... more ›
Saturday
Feb
01
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Amrita Bala Kendra (ABK) passes on Amma’s teachings to children through fun and engaging activities such as stories, bhajans, arts and crafts, celebration of festivals and service projects. ABK focuses on values, multi cultural traditions, and spiritual practices.  ABK is held in-person in the MA... more ›
Saturday
Feb
01
3:00pm - 4:00pm
"A river that flows through many branches will not have a powerful current. If the branches are redirected and the river is redirected to flow only through the main stream, the force of the current will increase greatly. It may even be possible to generate electricity from such a strong current.... more ›
Saturday
Feb
01
4:00pm - 7:30pm
Amma says, "Satsang has the power to turn our minds towards good thoughts. Children, don't waste any opportunity to participate in satsang." Join us Saturday for a community satsang, starting with group archana at 4pm, followed by bhajans, arati, and meditation from 5pm onward. A wholesome... more ›
Sunday
Feb
02
8:00am - 2:00pm
Inspired by Amma's teachings, Mother’s Kitchen groups in North America prepare, cook and serve 150,000 meals for the homeless and hungry each year. At MA Center Chicago, on the first Sunday of every month, we prepare food in the MACC kitchen starting at 8AM and then serve it at a local shelter. If... more ›
Saturday
Feb
08
12:00pm - 7:30pm
Join us for a special satsang celebrating Amma's birth star, Karthika*. As part of our Karthika celebration, we'll be chanting archana on the hour every hour five times starting at noon (the last archana will start at 4pm). Archana will be followed by chanting, bhajans, arati, and the distribution... more ›

All are welcome to join the ashram residents for daily spiritual practices in the satsang hall:

WHITE FLOWER MEDITATION

Sunday through Friday at 5:50 pm (starts with 10-minute silent Ma Om meditation)

Amma requests everyone to regularly practice this meditation once or twice a day for the benefit of the entire world. Join us live or via Zoom: https://bit.ly/maccmed 

Meeting ID: 828 7832 9402

Passcode: 092753

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US
+13126266799,,82878329402#,,,,*092753# US (Chicago)

EVENING BHAJANS

Sunday-Friday at 6:30 pm (in-person only)

  • Guru Stotram chanting
  • Bhajans (devotional singing)
  • Closing prayers and arati