Sat Chandi Mahayajna
Date: November 28 - December 2 2008
Programme: 28 Nov. - 2 Dec.: 8am to 6pm - Sat Chandi Pooja
2 Dec.: Sat Chandi Poornahuti & Sita Ram Vivah
 Rikhiapeeth
has a special relationship with Devi Ma. It was during her worship at
the Sat Chandi Mahayajna in 2006 that Rikhiapeeth was officially born.
At the moment of poornahuti, the final oblations to Devi, Swami Satyananda
declared, "I received three instructions from my Guru Swami Sivananda,
'Serve, love and give.' These precepts became the sadhana to be perfected
in my life and took a definite form when I came to Rikhia. The Rikhia
ashram will now be known as Rikhiapeeth. Peeth means 'seat', an apt term
for Rikhia as the instructions given by Swami Sivananda has culminated
and fructified here. The Sat Chandi Mahayajna which I have performed at
Rikhiapeeth for the last twelve years has brought the divine grace of
Devi to all of you. It seems Devi is here to stay. She has become a part
of this place and we will honour her each year with this most magnificent
and powerful tribute to her - the Sat Chandi Mahayajna."
The year 2007 saw the culmination of the twelve-year sankalpa for the
Rajasooya yajna, during which millions of people converged at this remote
village of Rikhia, to offer their love and devotion to Swami Satyananda.
Although the Rajasooya yajna is over, the Sat Chandi Mahayajna will continue.
This yajna is most popular because it addresses the deep and abiding bond
each one of us has with the most special person of our lives, without
whom we would not exist today - The Mother. As the cosmic Shakti, she
is the universal mother and we are all her children. It does not matter
who you are, where you come from, or what is your caste, creed or gender.
You belong to her. The Sat Chandi Mahayajna pays homage to this simple
truth and serves as an opportunity to bring us closer to the divine energy
of the Supreme Shakti and connect us with Her so that she may turn her
benevolent and compassionate gaze on us and bless each and every sphere
of our lives.
Yoga Poornima Celebrations
Date: December 8 - 12 2008
Programme: 8 - 11 Dec.: 8am to 6pm - Mrityunjaya Homa
12 Dec.: Mrityunjaya Poornahuti
 Yoga
Poornima, a celebration of yoga, will be held at Rikhiapeeth as a tribute
to Swami Satyananda Saraswati whose birth fell on this full moon, at midnight,
during the month of Marga Sheersha, in the year 1923, at Almora. On that
day a new star appeared on the horizon to herald the birth of a yogi,
who as per the mandate of his Guru, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, hoisted
the flag of yoga in every nook and comer of the world. The seeds he planted
then have not only taken root, they have begun to blossom and flower.
For today yoga has moved out of the caves of hermits and ascetics into
the mainstream of society. This five-day celebration culminating on the
full moon night of his birth 85 years ago, is a dedication to Swami Satyananda
whose insight, vision and tremendous compassion have touched and inspired
countless lives through the path of yoga.
To commemorate this event, Maha Mrityunjaya homa will be conducted by
learned pandits from Varanasi in honour of the first yogi and Adi Guru,
Lord Siva, who as Mrityunjaya, is the ishta devata of Swami Satyananda.
The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra hailed as the heart of the Vedas, forms a
part of the famous Rudri chants of the Krishna Yajur Veda, which are sung
daily during abhisheka of Siva lingam, in praise of Siva, the three-eyed
one. This powerful mantra is the remover of all ills and wards off difficulties
of every kind. It bestows good health, long life, everlasting peace and
prosperity, granting a kavacha or protective armour to the worshipper,
to guard him from all dangers.
In this way, through the worship of Shakti during Sat Chandi Mahayajna
and Siva during the Maha Mrityunjaya homa, we shall gain the grace and
blessings of both the cosmic mother and father.
Tvameva mata cha pita tvameva;
Tvameva bandhuscha sakha tvameva;
Tvameva vidya dravinam tvameva;
Tvameva sarvam mama devadeva.
You are mother and you are father;
You are friend and companion, too;
You are knowledge and you are wealth;
You are everything, my Lord.
Kriya Yoga Sadhana Course
Date: December 15-21 2008
In recognition of Swami Satyananda's unparalleled presentation of yoga
as a science of body, mind and consciousness, a seven-day Kriya Yoga course
will be conducted each year at Rikhiapeeth for yoga lovers. What better
way is there to celebrate the birth of a yogi than to have a yoga course!
Kriya Yoga was chosen above other systems of yoga because it is most suitable
for the people of this modern age since it can be practised even by those
who are habituated to extroversion and cannot easily concentrate.
The Kriya Yoga practices taught in the course have been handed down by
Swami Satyananda who in the early years himself taught these practices
to students from all parts of the world. The practices have been formulated
and structured in such a simple format that they be easily incorporated
in your daily life for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
This Kriya Yoga retreat aims at bringing you in touch with your own self,
thus paving the way to the discovery of your highest potential.
Christmas Celebrations
Rikhiapeeth, December 24-25, 2008
All are welcome to join in the joyous Christmas festivities, which include
singing, chanting and satsang during this 2-day special celebration.
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