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Discover the Power of Rituals with Our Special Ceremonies and Classes
Help us rejoin Shiva and Shakti
Help us rejoin Shiva and Shakti
Just before Shivaratri performed Ashtabandhanam rituals to join the Shivalingam to the Yoni. The first Abhishekam was performed for the Lingam on Maha Shivaratri Night. 21 days into our mandala puja rituals to stabilize the energies of the Shivalingam, we noticed that the Ashtabandhana mortar had become dry and cracked. As a result, it will be necessary to begin the entire process again. We have sought the advice of several experts on the materials and will try to reapply the ashtabandhana when the weather gets a little warmer, adding ghee to moisten the mixture.
Sponsor the Mandala Puja for Shiva (from Feb. 15th - Apr. 10th)
Mandala Puja for Our Newly Arrived Shivalingam
Following the sacred kumbhabhishekam of our newly installed Shivalingam, we are observing the traditional 48-day Mandala Puja to stabilize and strengthen the divine energies invoked during the consecration. This powerful period of worship helps ensure lasting spiritual strength and blessings for our temple and community.
Just before Maha Shivaratri, we were blessed to bring the 1,200 lb Avudhaiyar (Yoni) into the temple. On Maha Shivaratri night, we gathered for an all-night vigil, and just before dawn, the first abhishekam in Virginia for the new 1,300 lb Shivalingam was performed. One of the largest in the state, such a sacred Lingam is believed to bring peace, remove obstacles, and bless society with health and prosperity.
Mandala Puja began on February 15th and will conclude on April 10th with a grand homam and kumbhabhishekam.
We warmly invite you to sponsor and support these sacred rituals. Your participation will help make this auspicious celebration a true success.
May Lord Shiva bless you and your family abundantly.
Maha Shivaratri Fundraiser
Nearly one year ago, a sacred Śiva Liṅgam arrived from Kanchi, India, to our temple home here in Virginia. While the Liṅgam is now installed, the accompanying Avudhaiyar (yoni base), weighing over 1,000 pounds, has remained outside due to its size and the need for professional movers.
We are now raising funds to hire movers to bring the Avudhaiyar inside and to acquire Prabhāvalīs (traditional temple arches) for Śiva Liṅgam, Gaṇapati, and Dhanvantari, completing their proper temple setting.
Our goal is to raise $3,000 to support the moving and installation of these sacred elements. We humbly invite your donations to help us complete this work in time for Mahā Śivarātri on February 14.
Your support helps honor tradition and deepen the sacred space of our temple. 🙏
Om Namaḥ Śivāya
Donate to the Fundraiser:
How to Sponsor Abhishkam:
We will be doing the first ever abhishekam for the shuvslingam on Shivaratri Feb 14. Sponsor the abhishekam. Recommended donation $108
Spiritual Yoga Class
We are offering a free weekly yoga class dedicated to the traditional, spiritual foundations of yoga. While many modern Western approaches emphasize yoga primarily as physical exercise, this class offers an opportunity to reconnect with the deeper, holistic roots of the practice.
Unlike posture-focused classes, this practice does not include āsana. Instead, we explore yama and niyama (the ethical foundations of yoga), Sanskrit mantra, prāṇāyāma (breath practices), bandhas (energetic locks), visualization, and meditation—cultivating awareness, discipline, and inner stillness.
This class is free and open to the public. Donations are appreciated.
Our Teacher
Mochanidevi is a spiritual seeker and healing practitioner who has studied with Swamiji and his gurus for over six years. She is a Yoga Alliance–certified yoga teacher and completed her Yoga Teacher Training at Satchidananda Ashram in Buckingham, Virginia.
In addition to teaching and practicing yoga, Mochanidevi runs a healing practice, East Flora Wellness, and a studio space in Charlottesville, Virginia. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, chanting mantras, and walking in nature.
Banashankari Navaratri
An invitation to join us for Shakambhari Navaratri, a celebration that brings us closer to the Mother Goddess in her benevolent and nourishing form.
During these sacred nine nights, we honor Shakambhari Devi, who nurtures all living beings with her limitless love and compassion. Through devotion, we cultivate a deep sense of connection with the Goddess, who is nature itself, and awaken the inner abundance she has graciously bestowed upon us.
This festival is a spiritual journey, celebrating the vibrant energy of Devi, the Divine Mother. As quoted by Swamiji:
"The Goddess is in all places. She is Nature itself. Whereas Shiva (Purusha) is pure cosmic being, Devi (Prakriti) is the active principle which has given birth to the Universe..."
The festival is a reminder of this universal truth: Every soul is an offspring of the Divine Mother. When we come together as a community, we recognize each other as family, each person a reflection of Her divine grace.
"She is omnipresent and pervades all creation just as the DNA of the mother pervades each cell of the child." — Swamiji
Through this celebration, let us embrace heartfelt love for everyone we meet, honoring the Divine Mother by serving Her visible manifestations around us. As we worship Her in every living being and meditate on Her in the cave of our hearts, what is hidden shall surely be revealed by Her grace.
Let Shakambhari Navaratri be more than a festival, it’s an opportunity to deepen your spiritual practice and open your heart to the divine potential within each of us.
We eagerly await your presence. Together, let us rejoice in the fellowship of divine light, love, and joy.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. 🙏🌼
Monthly events
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Join Us for Our Monthly Purnima Puja Celebrations and Blessings |Full Moon Puja
The Full Moon day is sacred to the Goddess, who is called Shodashi, “She Who is 16.” The Full Moon day is the 16th lunar phase, and the Lunar energy is powerful that day. This is day considered very inauspicious for any worldly activity, but very supportive for prayer and meditation to come to know the Goddess. We are offering Navavarana Puja (worshiping the 108 Goddesses in the Shri Yantra) and Abhishekam for Goddess Banashankari each Full Moon day.
Sponsor the Puja to connect yourself to the healing energies of the rituals.
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Honor Your Ancestors with Our Amavasya Ancestral Puja Ceremony | New Moon Puja
Participate in our Amavasya Ancestral Puja to seek blessings for your lineage. On the New Moon day each month, we are making offerings for the deceased. Making offerings for the dead helps their souls to get free from the lower astral realm and to ascend toward the higher spiritual realms. Many unseen troubles are caused when souls are caught between realms. To free these souls from suffering and darkness for the benefit of the world, Swamiji has been making offerings every New Moon day for many years.
Please send the names of your ancestors to be included in our prayers and donate to support our efforts.