1. No Satsangas – July 10 to 31, 2011

We will not have regular Sunday Satsangas and Bala Vihar classes from July 10 through July 31, 2011. Satsanga begins on Sunday August 7, 2011.

2. Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi – Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011

On the occasion of Pujya Gurudeva’s Mahasamadhi, on Wednesday August 3 at 7:30 PM, we will have Pratima Puja. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this special Puja.

Please plan to be seated by 7:15 PM.

Please bring a decorated plate with padukas and/or diya, flowers and rice for puja, Prarthana Piyusa, a match box and 2 ziplock bags.

Please click here for further details.

3. Upakarma – Thread Changing Ceremony at Sivalaya – Saturday Aug 13, 2011

Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya will conduct Upakarma (thread changing ceremony) on Saturday, August 13th, 2011. Upakarma is an annual ritual during which individuals who have gone through the Upanayanam ritual and wear the sacred thread get a new sacred thread and renew their commitment to the study of the Vedas. The ceremony will be lead by our priest SriGaneshji and will last for one and a half hours. Devotees will be provided all the materials required to perform the puja including sacred thread.

Interested individuals should register at Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya or send an email to skethire@hotmail.com.

Puja Time: 7:30 – 9:00 AM (please be seated inside Sivalaya by 7:15 AM)

Contribution: $31/Individual + Daksina to the priest.

4. Bala Vihar Re-enrollment for 2011-2012

We are changing our Bala Vihar re-enrollment process this year. Parents are not required to submit re-enrollment forms. Bala Vihar class students will be automatically promoted at the end of the school year. Re-enrollment confirmations will be emailed to parents by the first week in August.

5. Tapovan Prasad Subscription

Tapovan Prasad is the international magazine of Chinmaya Mission. It reflects all the activities of the Mission and presents inspiring articles that kindle the spirituality inherent in us. Please click here to learn more about this magazine and/or to subscribe

6. Summer Read-a-thon Program for CORD

Chinmaya Organisation for Rural Development known as CORD is starting the Summer Read-a-thon Program for 2011. This holistic project has empowered over 600 villages and has an estimated 250,000 beneficiaries.

Now our Bala Vihar children at Houston have an opportunity to contribute to this great cause by participating in this Program. Active participation by our children will

make them avid readers while raising funds for a wonderful cause. Parents can participate by helping children find more sponsors at work or amongst friends. Let us participate whole-heartedly in this Read-a-thon, as a continued tribute to Pujya Gurudev on his Birthday.

Please click on here to access the participation forms and here to access the flyer. All donations will be collected by CMH in September (date will be announced later). If needed, tax exempt receipts can be provided for these contributions.

7. Sri Saumyakasi Sivalaya

Temple timing:

		Monday to Friday	8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon
			5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
		Saturday and Sunday	8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
			5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Puja Schedule:

		Everyday Arati	12:00 Noon & 7:30 PM
		Every Monday Rudrabhisekam	7:00 PM
		Every Pradosa day Rudrabhisekam	7:00 PM
		Every Saturday Sri Sivasahasranama Puja	9:00 AM
		Every Caturthi day Ganesa Puja	6:30 PM
		Every Purnima day Sri Satyanarayana Puja	6:30 PM