Upanayanam

Chinmaya Mission Chicago - conducting Samashti Upanayanam during the summer youth camps, on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at Yamunotri and on Saturday, July 24 at Badri. It is open to all children over 5 years who are registered for the summer camps or have been attending BalaVihar Classes at the Mission. It is also open to Chinmaya Yuva Kendra (CHYK) members who are involved in CHYK activities of the Mission.

The Program

When –           June 26, 2010 - 9:45 AM at Yamunotri, Grays lake, IL and

                        July 24, 2010 – 9:45 A.M. at Badri, Willowbrook, IL

Cost -              $200 per child (for the ceremony) *

* For additional items to be furnished by parents, please see details below

Chinmaya Mission has requested respected Shree Chandrasekhara Gurukkal to conduct the ceremony, presided by our resident Acharya Swami Sharananada. . The program is as follows:

Invocation & Opening Address                                                  8:30 A.M.

Instructions to Participants                                                         8:45 A.M.

Upanayanam Ceremony:                                                         10:00 A.M.

Lighting of the lamp – Pujya Swamiji

            Shri Ganesha Puja and Punyahavachanam

            Raksha Bandhanam & Pancha Gavya Puja

            Chowlam & Digvipanam

            Yagnopavita Dharanam

            Havan

Gayatri Mantra – Initiation

Danda Dharanam & Danda Udhwasana Puja

Gurudakhsina & Aarati

Lunch                                                                                      12:45 P.M.

Chinmaya Mission offers the following:

1. Chinmaya Mission will provide all items required for the Puja and Havan. Please see item 3 below for details. There are certain items to be furnished by the parents. These also are listed in the appropriate section below.


2. Pujya Swami Sharanananda will give instructions to the parents and children per the following schedule. If you are unable to attend or if the child registers after the following dates, it is recommended that the parents and the child watch the DVD at Yamunotri or Badri at a convenient time.

The instruction schedule is as follows at Yamunotri center:

May 21 Fri     8:45 pm – 9:30 pm

May 22 Sat    4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Instruction schedule for Badri will be available in June (We will publish the dates of the instruction schedule once it’s finalized.)

3. Puja Samagri:

What Parents need to Prepare?

1. Each family to provide Gotram, Nakashatram (Birth Star) of the child, full names of Parents, grand parents and Mama (mother’s brother/s). If you do not know any of the info please contact organizers.


2. Ceremonial items for each child –
1. Dhoti - 2 (Veshti - Naala Mollum, one white and one yellow, preferably silk)
2. Anga Vastram - 1
3. Garland of yellow, white flowers with red center,
4. Flowers for Puja – 1 bunch carnations multi colored (about 20-30 flowers each)
5. One new Pair of scissors

(These items may be offered by Chinmaya Mission to parents at a cost of $50)

3. Complete haircut (mundan) will be offered at Yamunotri on June 25^th, Friday evening and on July 23^rd, Friday at Badri. This function is optional, and will need to be scheduled with a barber who will be invited to the Mission. Chinmaya Mission will bear the costs for the ceremony. You must enroll by June 12th (for Yamunotri) or by July 10th (for Badri) by contacting the organizers.


4. Dakshina to the Priest: It is an honored tradition to offer individual Dakshina to the Priest of the ceremony. Each family will offer Guru Dakshina, according to their ability. For guidance, please contact the organizers.


5. Annadaanam: It’s our tradition, to offer food to all guests as a way to share the joy of this auspicious occasion.  Chinmaya Mission will make all lunch arrangements for the participating families and their guests.


6. Voluntary Donation: Each participating family may make a voluntary offering to Chinmaya Mission, towards this arrangement for food for the family and their guests. If you have any questions about Annadaanam, please contact the Mr. Ganapathi Shanker (Yamunotri) or Mrs. Vasavi Chakka (Badri).


7. New clothes for the child and parents to be worn at the ceremony


1. Men and boys – White Kurta Pajama. Boys should also have a pair of shorts (to be worn under Veshti).


2. Girls - Pavadai (long skirt) & blouse and Sari by women.


8. Fruits 3 pieces each of 5 varieties – apples, pears, peaches, oranges, bananas, or mangoes (no grapes or watermelons or melons please) to be placed at the Puja.

Contact information:

Yamunotri Center