Volunteer priests performing Vedic rituals for the past eleven months for the success of Ati Rudram

Atlanta, GA: The Hindu temple of Atlanta, Riverdale is all set for a grand Vedic ritual, “Sata Chandi Sahita Ati Rudra Maha Yajna” from November 18–28. Eleven day unique and rare Yajna will be performed in The Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, an iconic resplendent landmark in Riverdale, Georgia. The temple is well known for its religious, spiritual, cultural, and educational services to the Indian community. The Temple has played a sterling role in enriching the religious diversity and enhancing the multi-cultural image of Georgia. Yajna arrangements are on a higher gear with all necessary preparations. Several volunteers of the temple under stewardship of   President Dr. P.B. Rao and Yajna Convener Dr. Krishna Mohan are fully engaged in preparations to make the Yajna a memorable one.

Speaking to media, Dr. Krishna Mohan said: “Ati Rudra Maha Yajna committee is diligently working to make necessary arrangements. Several Veda Pundits are coming from India and several priests are coming from all over the country. Brahmasri Narendra Kapre, a Vedic scholar from India will be conducting Ati Rudra Maha Yajna and Sri Pannala Sita Ramanjaneya Sharma; a Vedic scholar will be conducting Sata Chandi Maha Yajnam with the help of more than hundred priests.

Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji, President of Sivananda Ashram, Ahmadabad will grace this Maha Yajna and provide spiritual discourses every day. Committees are formed for food coordination, site preparation, decorations, religious event coordination, accommodation and transportation. Additional parking with shuttle service to two neighboring schools is being arranged.

More than 100 ritwiks have signed up for the event from several states in USA and from Canada. Rudrabhishekams. Around Atlanta temple has conducted about 15 outreach Rudrabhishekams to promote the event. We had two major cultural programs, Adi Sankara & Siva Leela to promote and spread the word about this major event.

Every first Sunday we are conducting Rudra Homam & Ekadasa Rudrabhishekams.
Sri Lalitha Parameswari Laksharchana is a part of this magnificent event also. Daily Lalitha Sahasranama kumkumarchana is being performed and will conclude on November 27th along with Sata Chandi Maha Yajnam.

We are working hard to make this an Ultimate religious experience for all participants and devotees. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in one of the holiest and most powerful Yajna in modern times. This Maha Yajna is being performed for Loka Kalyana, the welfare of all devotees, their families, and for Universal Peace and Prosperity.”
In a communication to temple, Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji wrote: “Such Maha Yajnas are the tradition of Satya, Treta and Dwapar yuga. In this Iron Age “Kali Kal” such Maha Yajna is not only boon but also great grace of Almighty Lord.

The very recitation of Sri Rudram 14,641 times with oblation in Yajna Narayana with Satha Chandi is very unique and the most auspicious and rare amongst the rare. Organizers deserve great admiration for the service to the community by organizing such supreme blessedness events. Without the grace of Almighty Lord Maha Rudra Lord Shiva and Para Shakti Maha Bhagavati Durga, no one can think of such a divine Yajna. I offer my prayers and best wishes for the grand success of Satha Chandi and Ati Rudra Yajna.”

DID YOU KNOW ATI RUDRA MAHA YAJNA
It is a rare occasion to have a Yajnam of this magnitude. Ati Rudra Maha Yajna is connected with Rudra who is also referred to Shiva. Ati Rudra Maha Yajna is supposed to be the greatest and highest form of worship to Lord Shiva. Because it involves Abhishekam as it is referred abhisheko priya Rudra, alankara priyo Vishnu. Lord Vishnu all the time think about exhibition of beauty, but on the other hand Rudra all the time think about a sort of Abhishekam people offered to him. So that is the significance. As we are struggling so much, today throughout the world we come across lot of differences, mutual misunderstanding, mutual jealousy, unwanted competition. These things they are going on. There is no proper understanding between communities, between countries.

In order to foster universal peace, the need of the hour is definitely is universal peace. Such programs, in fact have been highlighted by many spiritual leaders and Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale has taken the great task of conducting the gigantic and beautiful Vedic ritual Sata Chandi Sahita Ati Rudra Maha Yajnam in Atlanta. In fact Rudra or Shiva, they are not sectarian. Many people say that Shiva is a god highlighted in Hinduism. We go beyond. The term is not applied in Hinduism at all. Rudra is one who helps everyone to get rid of his pain irrespective of people. There is no barrier as such. Shiva is of that character. Rudra is of that character. He is universal. If anyone says that Shiva is a sectarian, he is misunderstood. He is universal, He is cosmic force. In that cosmic force we come across  all other essential things like fire, water, air, ether etc., etc., In Thattiriopanishad in  of the place it says how the Lord Siva is supposed to be creator, sustainer and destroyer.

Ati Rudra Maha Yajna has been done by many people too. The best example is When Lord Sri Rama was in distress, he met Agastya Maharishi at the bank of Godavari. When he met Agastya he discussed about his distress, disappointment etc., etc., Sri Rama asked Agastya what is the remedy for that. Agastya said the only remedy is that you offer your sincere prayers to lord Shiva. It is only remedy for you; he will be able to guide you.  He offered everything to Shiva including 1000 names prepared by him to lord Shiva. By doing that he enjoyed the benefit. Sri Rama most probably the one who has done this highest form of worship and got maximum benefit. Many others also performed it. Sages have given direction in what way we have to perform it.  Yajna is nothing but for establishment of everlasting universal peace.
The Ati Rudra Maha Yajnam is going to be a most wonderful Event, An event not to be missed. His is the Only Maha Yajnam among all the other Great Yajnas that is done for the Good of Humanity as a whole, all the other Yajnas are done for a Specific Reason.

It is very rare that a Yajna of this significance and magnitude can be witnessed. Equally rare is the opportunity for the people to actually participate in the worship. It is also done particularly for the sake of washing away ones sins and afflictions, for bringing peace, prosperity and happiness, along with family togetherness.

Sage Satapatha in his treatise “Maharnava Karma Vipaka” listed four types of Abhisheka procedures compatible with Vedic and scriptural lore. Those are Rudram, Ekadasa Rudram, Maha Rudram and Ati Rudram – each being more potent than the preceding one. Of these, the most potent form of Ati Rudram involves 14641 Rudrams (Rudram is a combination of Namakam and Chamakam given in Rudra Adhyayam in the 5th Prapathakam of the 4th Kanda of Krishna Yajur Veda Samhita). Namaka recited once along with recital of Chamaka once constitutes one Rudram. Recital of 11 Namakas along with one Anuvaka of Chamaka at the end of each Namaka, thus completing one Chamaka constitutes Ekadasa Rudram. Recital of 11 Ekadasa Rudrams is Laghu Rudram or Rudraikadasini. Recital of 11 Laghu Rudrams is one Maha Rudram. Recital of 11 Maha Rudrams is one Ati Rudram. Therefore, in Ati Rudram 14641 Rudrams include 14641 Namakams and 1331 Chamakams. Simultaneously with Rudrabhisheka, Rudra Homas are conducted by 121 priests well versed in Vedic rituals in 11 Homa Kundas erected for the purpose. Rudrabhishekam will be conducted daily to Shiva Lingam. Side by side the Rudra Parayanas and Rudra Homas; other related rituals such as Homas, Lingabhisheka Poojas, Kramarchana Parayanas and Tarpanas will also be performed.

This Maha Yajna is being performed for Loka Kalyana and good of all mankind as well as to ensure universal peace and prosperity. It is, indeed, our good fortune that such a grand Vedic ritual is being performed in front of us here in Atlanta in a selfless manner. 

I encourage each one of you to visit Sata Chandi Sahita Ati Rudra Maha Yajna @ HTA, Riverdale. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness. Yajna is a very unique and the most auspicious and rare amongst the rare.


Kindly click two links below to view the invitation by Pujya Swami Adhyatmanandaji to Sata Chandi Sahita Ati Rudra Maha Yajna.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiuoCCY6a0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I81RIED1LkU