Chinmaya Somnath

CMWRC Virginia Center Bhoomi Puja

June 2010 Update

Chinmaya Somnath Project Building Design Update and Fund Raising Appeal

Chinmaya Somnath Phase 1 Construction Pledge Form

With Pujya Gurudev’s blessings the Bhoomi Puja and the ground breaking ceremony for the newly planned CMWRC Virginia center on Pleasant Valley Drive, Chantilly, VA took place on January 14^th . Upon the initiative and advice of Pujya Swami Dheerananda, the date for the ceremony was fixed on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranthi, January 14^th, 2010.  On the beautiful, sunny and mild winter morning, Sri Bhaskar Sastrigal conducted the purvanga (initial) puja at the residence of  Srikumar and Jaya Gopalakrishna under the auspices of Swami Dheerananda, Acharya Anant Sarma and Acharya Pramila Poudel.  It was attended by several key Mission sevaks, who could participate inspite of the short notice. Treasurer Prakash Soman,  Bina Patel (Trustee), Virginia Dulles Chapter Director Ramesh Golla and his wife Sirisha Golla, Sushil Baluja and Bishnu Poudel were some of the senior Mission members present at this occasion. 

During the purvanga puja, Lord Ganesha was invoked (Ganapati Puja), followed by the Kalasha Puja to consecrate the water. This was followed by the Navagraha Puja to the 9 bricks that represent the 9 Navagraha deities.  After the Ganapati, Kalasha and Navagraha pujas was completed, the group visited the site carrying the consecrated kalasha water and the sanctified bricks. Swami Dheerananda broke the ground with the consecrated shovel and offered prayers for the new center’s success. Acharya Anant Sarma was next to partake in the ground breaking followed by Acharya Pramila Poudel,  Bishnu Poudel and others taking turns. The consecrated bricks were laid one by one on the land and the kalasha water, milk, and flowers were offered to these bricks.  These bricks were left for a few hours at the location and then brought back to be carefully saved.  These will be used during construction at the front entrance of the new center to bring it success and fulfill the promise of Sri Gurudev’s vision.

January 14, 2010

by Karpagam Balan

Excerpts from the Skanda PurAna (the largest PurAna) where one of the Khandas (chapters) called Prabhas Khand describes some information on Somnath

from bharatadesam.com 
by Sri Gopalakrishna

Emphasizing on the significance of Someshwar linga and its deep association with the Vedas, Lord Shiva told Parvati-' The divine Someshwar linga exists since time immemorial and will remain for eternity. This revelation descended on me while I was engrossed in a deep state of meditation. Someshwar Linga has deep association with the Vedas and it enhances their sanctity by establishing itself in each of them at different periods of time during the day. During morning time Someshwar linga establishes itself in the Rigveda, during noon in the Yajurveda, during afternoon in the Sama veda and during evening time it establishes itself in Atharva veda.