Issue 4

Akshaya Trithiyai April 18, 1999 Trithiyai is the third thithi in each paksham of each maasam (month). we described these time related details in the very first issue of AUMzine. Generally 24 to 25 Trithiyais occur each year. One of these is known as Akshaya Trithiyai. Thus Akshaya Trithiyai occurs once a year. There's a special worship procedure which must be performed on Akshaya Trithiyai. On this day, anna abishekam (abishekam using cooked rice mixed with ghee) must be performed for the Siva Lingam in all Siva temples. Make an anna lingam (a Siva lingam fashioned using rice and ghee) and perform pooja for the anna lingam. Distribute this anna lingam as anna dhaanam to the poor along with side dishes like curry and sambar or rasam soup. This worship procedure is spiritual social service that helps get rid of poverty in society. Even if we don't wish for material gains, we must follow this procedure as an act of selfless service for the less fortunate amongst us. We should remember that it's such selfless service coupled with Guru Bakthi that can reveal the Lord of the Self. This worship procedure is especially important in temples where the Universal Mother is present in Her Annaapoorani manifestation. Mother Annapoorani - She feeds the universe It's also important to perform this worship at the samadhi shrine of Sri Pódaa Siddha (also known as Sri Naganatha Svami and Siva Svami). In the Pramaadhi year, it's ideal if this service can be performed for the Siva Lingam at the Thiru Chótruthurai temple (near Thanjavoor in Tamil Nadu) where the Universal Mother is present in Her Annapoorani manifestation. This worship gets rid of poverty and provides relief from business and inheritance losses. Anna abishekam for Sri AkshayaNatha Shiva of Thirumandhurai. More details to be published later... Om Salutations to Sri Annaporani Om Salutations to Sri Siva Appendix 1: Timing Make sure you determine the exact time period during which Akshaya Trithiyai is in effect in your timezone. You can do this by using the spiritual calendar provided in this Website. The exact time span of Akshaya Trithiyai is the time period during which Trithiyai thithi is in effect. Here are the times for three different timezones. (All times are shown are Standard Time. Daylight Savings correction has not been applied.) om Timezone Akshaya Trithiyai From To US West Coast Apr/17/99 13:00 hours Apr/18/99 09:25 hours India Apr/18/99 02:30 hours Apr/18/99 22:55 hours Singapore Apr/18/99 05:00 hours Apr/19/99 01:25 hours Refer to the spiritual calendar for other timezones.