Feb 27, 2022 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents of 9^th Graders,

Hope you all are doing well and awaiting this beautiful spring weather as eagerly as celebrating our upcoming Mahashivaraatri festival. We were very excited today to see your Children after one week's break. Our topic today:- As a part of our Hindu Culture, there are numerous forms of worship, of which Pooja is one of the more popular. The most widely accepted and followed system of Pooja is the Shodasa – Upachara Pooja, or 16 – Service worship.

The main purpose of this type of Pooja is two-fold. Primarily it is to uplift the five senses of the worshiper and by doing so elevate him to a higher level of consciousness that will promote good thoughts and actions including purity of mind. Secondly, it draws upon the Indian traditions of honoring a guest, wherein each upachara is a service to the deity who is omnipresent in the sculpture for the duration of the Pooja. Today's class, we explained in detail the 16 step pooja that entails the following:-

1. Dhyaana – Meditating on the deity that is being invoked.
2. Aavaahana – Inviting the deity into the altar.
3. Aasana – Giving the deity a seat.
4. Paadya – Washing the deity's feet with clean water.
5. Arghya – Offering the deity water to rinse hands and mouth.
6. Aachamana – Offering the deity water to drink.
7. Snaana – Bathing the deity with various auspicious items.
8. Vasthra – Dressing the deity in clean clothes.
9. Yagnopaveetha – Offering the deity a clean sacred thread.
10. Gandha – Spreading fresh sandalwood paste on the deity.
11. Pushpa – Offering fresh flowers while chanting the deity's names.
12. Dhoopa – Spreading incense smoke throughout the altar.
13. Deepa – Waving a lamp to illuminate the freshly decorated deity.
14. Naivedya – Offering the deity food.
15. Taambula ­– Offering the deity a refreshing mix of betel nut and leaves.
16. Pradakshina & Namaskara – Circumambulating the altar and bidding farewell to the deity

We discussed with meaningful examples and asked our children how they now felt about attending any Pooja vs prior to knowing these steps. Also, on eve of upcoming Mahashivratri celebrations we've discussed all the details and significance of this festival, the stories of Lord Shiva and something they could do at home to be a part of this celebration. Please speak to your children and let us know their feedback as we continue to progress on our Hindu culture discussion topics. 

Next week our Bramhacharini Akalkaji will be virtually attending our class for 15-20 mins so please make sure your child is prepared to ask any specific Q&A to her as they are figuring out their own spiritual journey. The topic could include whatever we may have taught so far or something their inquisitive mind wants to explore. 

Happy Mahashivaratri Celebrations to all!!!!

At his Grace and unto the happiness and wellbeing of all,

9^th Grade Teachers.