Purandara Dasara Aradana :
Date: January 28th, 2017
Location: 13010 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68144 (Omaha Hindu Temple Social Hall)
Timing: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Purandara Dāsa (Kannada: ಪುರಂದರ ದಾಸ)[1] (1484–1564) is a prominent composer of Carnatic music. He is widely referred to as the Pitamaha (the father or the grandfather) of Carnatic Music in honour of his significant contribution to Carnatic music.[2][3][4][5] He formulated the basic lessons of teaching Carnatic music by structuring graded exercises known as Swaravalis and Alankaras, and at the same time, he introduced the Raga Mayamalavagowla as the first scale to be learnt by beginners in the field. He also composed Gitas (simple songs) for novice students.
Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his
compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanakadasa. Purandara Dasa's Carnatic music compositions are mostly in Kannada; some are in Sanskrit. He signed his compositions with the mudra (pen name), "Purandara Vittala" (Vittala is one of the incarnations of the Hindu god, Vishnu).
(Source: Wiki)
(Source: Wiki)
Mahashivaratri:
Date: March 7th 2016
Location: 13010 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68144 (Omaha Hindu Temple Social Hall)
Timing: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Shivaratri celebrates Lord Shiva saving the earth during samudra manthan by imbibing Halahala.
Sirigandha Kannada Sangha members role includes sponsor,prepare food and volunteer work at the temple.
Yugadi /Ugadi:
Date: April 23rd, 2016
Location: 13010 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68144 (Omaha Hindu Temple Social Hall)
Timing: 5 PM to 10 PM
Yugadi/Ugadi heralds the start of a New Year in Karnataka.
Celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended
family and a sumptuous feast are 'de rigueur'. The day, begins with
ritual showers (oil bath) followed by prayers. (Source: Wiki)
Picnic:
Date: TBD
Location: TBD
Timing: TBD
Lots of fun in the Sun.. Play Cricket, Volleyball, etcDeepavali:
Date: December 3rd, 2016
Location: 13010 Arbor Street Omaha, NE 68144 (Omaha Hindu Temple Social Hall)
Timing: 5 PM to 10 PM
Festival of Lights. One of the most important festival for Hindus.
It is celebrated as Deepavali (deepa + aavaLi → light + row) in Kannada. It is celebrated on the previous and next day of Amavasye (New Moon Day) as Naraka Chaturdashi (before new-moon day) resembling Satyabhama's victory over Narakasura and as Bali Padyami, the first day of Kartika masa; inviting the greatest emperor of times, Bali
Chakravarti to each and everybody's homes. The entire house is cleaned
and new clothes are purchased for the entire family which is followed by
lighting of oil lamps around the house and bursting firecrackers. The
tradition in Kannada families is that all members gather together for
the three days celebration. The thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha is
celebrated as "neeru tumbo habba" when the house is cleaned,
painted afresh and the vessels are washed, bedecked and filled with
fresh water for the festival. The next day is Naraka Chaturdashi,
considered very auspicious. People wake up before dawn and apply oil on
their scalp and body before taking bath, a ritual known as Tailabhyanjana. In parts of North Karnataka, this is followed by the women of the house performing Aarti on the men. The bursting of the crackers ensues. The next day is Lakshmi mahaapooje on Amavaasye
(new-moon day) and then on the fourth day decorating the whole house
and especially entrance with flowers and floor decoration to invite Bali
to their homes; a special fort-entrance kind of thing is made on the
entrances of every home which is made out of cow-dung (gOmaya) and
Sandalwood (siri-chandana) which both have a high divine reverence in
Kannada tradition. The day is of special importance to agricultural
families as they celebrate Govardhan Pooja on this day. The houses are adroned with Keraka (replica of the Govardhana giri using cow dung) bejeweled with flowers and maize, ragi stalks. Also fire-camps are kindled on both Naraka Chaturdashi and Bali Padyami days of Deepavali;
where in respective community people's gathering is significant and
huge firework bursting ceremony happens. Later the whole Kartika maasa
(till next new-moon day) is celebrated by praying Kunti idol in every house; this signifies that Kunti; the mother of great Pandavas has come to mother's (tavaru mane in Kannada) home for Kartika maasa. In villages on the third day Bali Padyami
also known for gOvpooje (reverence to cows) all the cattle in the home
are decorated gorgeously and are prayed for good will of next coming
year. also go melas happen the same day. The celebration of Diwali is
marked by the lighting of innumerable lamps in every courtyard and the
bursting of crackers. Sweetmeals, new clothes and spirit is there as in
other festivals. Kajjaya is a special Deepavali delicacy in Bangalore region. Holiges, Chakkulis are prepared in all households. The time for rejoicing is mainly early morning and late night. The legend is that Lord Krishna killed demon Naraka
in the wee hours of the morning, hence people burst crackers at this
hour to mark the victory over evil. These hours of darkness bordering
the waking hours are preferred as lights and crackers are the highlights
of the festivities and these need darkness to have their illuminating
effect. Hence people rise early and go to sleep late. (Source: Wiki)