Page 2 - Newsletter Dec 2018

From The Editor’s Desk

Dear Members, Thiruvadirai nakshatra – celebrating Lord

Shiva’s celestial dance as Nataraja. A spe-
As the month of Karthigai with its
exuberance of lamps and lights, gives way cial dish called ‘kaLi’ is prepared, and
families engage in communal worship. The
to the month of Margazhi marked by

spiritual worship and vows, we once again month of Margazhi also marks the comple-
gather ourselves together and reflect on the tion of the pilgrimage of devotees trekking

true purpose of our birth – to find our path the Sabarimalai mountain to seek the bless-
back to the eternal divine feet. It is believed ings of Lord Ayyappa, born of the cosmic

that the month of Margazhi symbolizes the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The

‘brahma muhurtha kalam’ of Deva Loka, worship concludes on Makara Sankranthi,
and worship during this month is consid- coinciding with the Pongal festival, when a

ered to enhance spiritual fervor. Margazhi – divine flash of light is sighted atop the
the month of ‘paavai nombu’ resonates with Sabarimalai hill at sunset.

the chants of the Tiruppaavai and Tiruvem- With Pongal, also comes our New Year, and

paavai. While the Tiruppaavai is the poetess our reflections on the year gone by, and
Azhwar Goddess Andal’s composition of 30 hopes for the year to come. We, at

verses in praise of Lord Krishna and the Balambika Divya Sangam (BDS) also look

other avatars of Sriman Narayana in Her back on our accomplishments this past year
temple town of Srivilliputtur, the Tiruvem- of 2018. We have indulged in the worship of

paavai is the great Nayanmar Manika Vasa- Sri Bala to an extent that simulates an en-

gar’s composition of 20 verses extolling Lord riching and soul-satisfying experience for
Shiva to invoke His grace, in the quaint lit- our ardent devotees. From the temple

tle town of Thiruvannamalai. Young unmar- anniversary to the Maha Navaratri, and all
ried maidens wake up at the crack of dawn in between, we have tried with the help of

and chant these divine verses for a blessed our dedicated BDS family, to give each and
married life. The 30 days of Margazhi is every one of you a personal bond with Sri

sprinkled with many an occasion to indulge Bala that you can hold on to in your homes

in service to the Lord. Here is a quick list for and hearts, for generations to come. As we
one and all to keep track of, as the month strive to serve the community around us,

unfolds. Vaikunta Ekadashi – the Ekadashi we hope that you continue to support and

that falls on the shukla paksha (waxing lu- cheer us, as you have been always. Our
nar phase) of this month is considered to Raja Bala reigns supreme in Malur, and we

open the doorway to Vaikuntam – the abode hope that many more of you are able to visit

of Lord Sriman Narayana. Hanuman Jayan- us and soak in Her divinity. You - our mem-
thi falls on the moolam star coinciding with bers, are our greatest strength, and our goal

the Amavasya thithi in the month of Marga- is to deliver our best to you.
zhi. Arudra Darshanam falls on the pour- Sarvejana Sukhino Bhavantu.

nami day of this month, coinciding with the

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