Virtual Upãkarma Online
The Temple continues to offer Virtual Upãkarma Online for devotees who are unable to visit the Temple.
The Virtual Upãkarma Online will be conducted using Zoom Meeting as follows:
Rig Upãkarma: 8:00 AM (EST) on August 18, 2024 (Sunday)
Yajur Upãkarma: 9:00 AM (EST) on August 19, 2024 (Monday)
Fee: $51 per participant (including priest dakshina).
Prior registration is required to participate in Virtual Upãkarma. Scroll below (click ‘select options’) to register online.
If you would like to participate in person please see: nyganeshtemple.org/upakarma
Last date for registration:
August 10, 2024 (Saturday) – if the devotee expects the Temple to send the Yagnopaveetam (poonal / sacred thread) and Dharba Pavitram by USPS postal mail to them.
August 17, 2024 (Saturday) – 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 or Vaishnava yagnopaveetam / poonal, please choose one during checkout.
Zoom meeting ID and password will be emailed to registered participants on:
August 17, 2024 (Saturday) for Rig Upãkarma and August 18, 2024 (Sunday) for Yajur Upãkarma
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 Upãkarma as detailed below. The participants may not be able to ask questions during the online Upãkarma.
Preparing for Virtual Upãkarma
Prepare yourself before commencement of upãkarma:
Please login to Zoom meeting on August 18, 2024 (Sunday) at: 7:45 am (Rig Upãkarma) or August 19, 2024 (Monday) at 8:45 am (Yajur Upãkarma) and wait to be admitted into the meeting. This may take up to 10 minutes!
Please login on time. The Virtual Upãkarma will start at 8:00 am (EST) and 9:00 am (EST) respectively for those who have already logged in.
Total time duration for ritual is approximately one hour.
The Virtual Upãkarma will be conducted by our Temple Priest and assisted by a Technical Admin.
How to participate in Virtual Upãkarma?
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. Kamokãrshi Mantra Japam
5. Brahma Yajnam
6. Deva-rishi-pitru tarpanam
7. Mahã Sankalpam
8. Yagnopaveeta Dhãranam (Bachelors / brahmacharis would wear only one yagnopaveetam of three strings. Married / Grahasta / Diksha / initiated persons should wear yagnopaveetam as per their customs)
9. Kãnda-rishi tarpanam
10. Removal of old yagnopaveetam and pavithra visarjanam
11. Instruction for Gãyatri Japam to be carried out by individual on the next day.