Pranapratisthapana and Kumbabhishekam
for the new
Sri Sharadambal Temple
with shrines of
Sharadamba, Siva-Chandramouleeswara, Adi Sankara, Devi Bhavani, Mahaganapati, Subramanya, Krishna, Hanuman, Veda Vyasa and Navagrahas

Please join us in large numbers when we draw the gold chariot with Goddess Sharada seated, and eager to shower Her infinite grace on all!

Ati Rudram is the highest form of Rudram recitation. It will be performed with the participation of 121 pandits reciting Rudra Mantra 11 times each day for 11 days making a total of 14,641, followed by Rundra homa by 11 pandits 11 times a day.

10 ritwiks will perform a total of 100 times the Chandi (700 slokas)with japa and homa in a span of 5 days.

10 million (1 crore/koti) kumkuma archana with the recitation of Lalitha Sahasranamavali will be performed by 50 pundits for 11 days, and will be concluded with Lalita Homa on Sunday the 27th July.

When Sage Veda Vyasa codified the Veda mantras in to four vedas, there were 1131 shakas (branches) in all of them; 21 branches in Rig veda; 101 branches in Yajur veda; 1000 branches in Sama veda and 9 branches in Atharva veda.

But over the ages, we lost most of them, and only 10 veda shakhas are available today, and among them, only a couple in nearly complete. Scholars familiar with some of the branches, and the various methods of recitation are extremely scarce, and are spread across the entire India.

During the celebrations, scholars from each of the presently available veda shakhas, will recite the entire shakha, an event rare even in India.

Scoring: 50% marks for memory, 40% for enunciation and fluency and 10% for poise and Bhava. While chanting, a verse may be broken after each Pada or the full half verse may be chanted without a break. Whichever method is selected should be adhered to for all verses.

Prizes: Three prizes per category will be given. All participants will receive a token of appreciation. Prizes will be distributed on July 27 (Sunday) at 3 PM.

Shatka & Full Geeta Competitions: Competitions will also be held as follows:

a) Shatka 1: Chapters 1 to 6; Shatka 2: Chapters 7 to 12 and Shatka 3: Chapters 13 to 18
b) Entire Geeta of 18 chapters

Substantial rewards are offered by SVBF for winners under these categories.

Saturday July 19th 9:00a.m. onwards at SVBF, Stroudsburg

Saturday July 19th 3 p.m. at SVBF, Stroudsburg

Registration: Please submit name, address, email, phone number and age group to M.R.Dwarakanath (dwaraka@verizon.net)

Contacts: M.R.Dwarakanath: (908) 647 2258; S.S.Iyer (732) 238 1119; S.Yegnasubramanian: (908) 281 0607; Satish Karandikar: (908) 359 9356.

A Summary of the Childcare services to be offered during the events to be held from July 12 - 27 '08 at Stroudsburg, PA

We will provide hands-on service on the following days during the event: July 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27. The service timings will be from 9 am to 12 pm and after a lunch break, from 2 pm to 5 pm

The service will be made available mainly to those families where both parents are volunteers and therefore will need help with childcare. The service will also be available to other attendees whose children need a place to play. We recommend that such children remain accompanied by their parent/caretaker in the area.

Children who are to be left in childcare should be potty trained and be able to be independent i.e. not require one-on-one care. The recommended age is 4 to 10. Diaper changing is not permitted within the childcare area.

Parents are required to fill in a sign-in/out sheet wherein they can provide all details including two contact numbers where they can be immediately reached. For children with special dietary needs, parents may drop off snacks/juice at the facility with the child's name clearly labeled.

We would appreciate it if any volunteers can give a few hours of their time towards helping out at the childcare facility. Signup sheets are available at the reception area.

If you would like to avail of the childcare services during the events, please register in advance with the dates/times needed. For details please contact Mrs. Srividya (732) 549 1774

• To PEC: Coming from Exit 299 from I-80 in PA, Turn left onto 715S
  Proceed approximately a mile
  Turn left on Warner Road and proceed 0.3 miles
  Make the first right into PEC.Proceed 0.3 miles to parking area.
• To Camelback tubing parking lot: Coming from Exit 299 from I-80 in PA , take 715 North.
  At the first light, make a left onto Sullivan Trail. Proceed 0.2 miles.
  At the fork, stay left and go under the Rt. 80 bridge. Proceed 0.8 miles
  At the next fork, turn left on Camel Back Rd at Barley Creek Brewery Company.
  Proceed approximately 0.85 miles.
  Turn left for Tubing Parking lot area on right