Virtual Sãma Upãkarma Online
The Temple continues to offer Virtual Sãma Upãkarma Online for devotees who are unable to visit the Temple.
The Virtual Sãma Upãkarma Online will be conducted using Zoom Meeting as follows:
Date: 8:00 am on September 16, 2023 (Saturday)
Fee: $51 per participant (including priest dakshina).
Prior registration is required to participate in Virtual Sãma Upãkarma. Scroll below (click ‘select options’) to register online.
If you would like to participate in person please see: nyganeshtemple.org/sama-upakarma
Last date for registration:
September 1, 2023 (Friday) – if the devotee expects the Temple to send the Yagnopaveetam (poonal / sacred thread) and Dharba Pavitram by USPS postal mail to them.
September 15, 2023 (Friday) – if the devotee can pick up the Yagnopaveetam (poonal / sacred thread) and Dharba Pavitram at the Temple counter or make his own arrangement to acquire the same locally.
IMPORTANT: if you require a Smartha/Saiva please choose one during checkout.
Zoom meeting ID and password will be emailed to registered participants on September 15, 2023 (Friday).
Internet and Computer Requirements:
This is an online program and therefore, you’ll be required to have a reliable Internet connection and a suitable device such as a PC, laptop or tablet. Cell phones may not be suitable to take this program. The service will be offered via Zoom Meeting.
Please check your Internet and computer requirements at: https://zoom.us/test before registering for this program.
Also, please prepare for the Upakarma as detailed below. The participants may not be able to ask questions during the online Upakarma.
Preparing for Virtual Sama Upakarma
Prepare yourself before commencement of upakarma:
Please login to Zoom meeting at 7:45 a.m. on September 16, 2023 (Saturday) and wait to be admitted into the meeting. This may take up to 10 minutes!
Since there is only one virtual session, please login on time. The Virtual Sãma Upãkarma will start at 8:00 a.m. for those who have already logged in.
Total time duration for ritual is approximately two hours.
The Virtual Sãma Upakarma will be conducted by our Temple Priest and assisted by a Technical Admin.
How to participate in Virtual Sama Upakarma?
It is advised that participant have full shower in the morning.
As per one’s family tradition, wear a neatly washed cotton or silk vastra/dhoti.
Wear/smear the Basma / Sri-churnam / Tripundram according to one’s family tradition and practices.
Keep the following items ready:
- silver/brass or copper plate
- panchapatram with uddharani/spoon
- two vessels (one filled with clean water and other empty)
- poonal/yagnopaveetam
- dharba pavitram
- plain white raw rice
- akshata
- black sesame seeds (required for those with no parents)
- wooden plank/seat.
Light a lamp or candle and place it appropriately in the altar/pooja mantap.
Sit comfortably on the floor and keep your laptop or computer monitor in front of you with adequate audio level. (Try to play some music and check the audio levels BEFORE logging into the meeting!)
If you have difficulties sitting on the floor, you may sit on a raised seat or a chair.
Common religious rituals – step by step procedures:
1. Basma Dhãranam (wearing religious sacred symbols – Vibhuti-Chandan-Kumkum-Šri Churnam-tripundram etc.)
2. Invocation Prayer
3. Pavithra Dhãranam
4. Maha Sankalpam
5. Brahma Yajnam
6. Vigneswara Pooja
7. Varuna Avahanam
8. Rishi Avahanam
9. Deva-Rishi-Pitru Tarpanam
10. Punah Pooja
11. Yagnopaveeta Dhãranam (Bachelors / brahmacharis would wear only one yagnopaveetham of three strings. Married / Grahasta / Diksha / initiated persons should wear yagnopaveetham as per their customs)
12. Removal of old yagnopaveetham
13. Kankana Dharanam
14. Aseervadam
15. Pavithra Visarjanam