[GHHF] Bala Samskar Kendra Students – Celebrated Maha Shivaratri by lighting the Shiva Linga Image, attended Shiva Temples and chanted Lingashtakam

19 Feb 2023 1009 Views

Francois Gautier
Hinduism is probably the only religion in the world which has never tried to convert others, or conquer other countries to propagate itself as a new religion. The same is not true of Islam and Christianity. "
Global Hindu Heritage Foundation is extremely happy to inform that we are organizing more than 175  Bala Samskar Kendras in five different States. Over the last one weeks they have organized a number of activities including preparing for the celebration of Maha Shivaratri.  Each school is teaching different things and at the same time they follow the required syllabus to ensue all the students learn things that are common to all the students.
    Many teachers celebrated Maha Shivaratri in different ways. Some of the teachers encouraged students to prepare Shiva Lingam with Lamps. The lighted Shiva Lingas look beautiful. Some teachers talked about the significance of Maha Shivaratri. Some prepared a pictorial 15 feet high Shiva towers. Most of the teachers taught the students to chant Lingashtakam.
Thera are a number of stories with respect to the celebration of Maha Shivaratri
According to one story that once a hunter was wandering in a jungle on the banks of Kolidum River. The hunter was following a deer and suddenly heard roar of a tiger. The hunter got scared and climbed a tree, the tiger came chasing the hunter and stood at the foot of the tree. The hunter was very afraid and did not sleep because he thought he would fall. The whole night he spend on the tree by the hunter and suddenly he threw the leaves from the bael tree and at the foot of the tree was the Shiva lingam about which he did not know in the morning the tiger was not there and only Shiva lingam was there. The hunter was very happy and thankful to Lord Shiva and so people remember Lord Shiva the entire night of Maha Shivaratri.
Another legend of Shivaratri tells that during Samudra Manthan, a container filled with poison appeared. This container scared all the Gods and evil spirits, as this poison could ruin the whole world. Lord Shiva was asked for help and in order to save the entire world the whole poison was drunk by Lord Shiva to save the world. Lord Shiva never swallowed the poison but hold it in his throat because of which his throat turned to be blue and he is also known by the name of Neelkantha for this. People thereby celebrate Shivaratri because Lord Shiva saved the world.
Lingashtakam
On Maha Shivaratri Day, all the students in most of the center chanted Lingashtakam. Teachers require them to learn by heart to make sure that the children chant Lingashtakam without looking at the book.
The Lingasthakam Stotram is a prayer formed of eight salutations or invocations offered to the Supreme Deity in his aspect as Linga. Linga is the universal symbol of creation and source of everything. This prayer glorifies the Shiva Linga and details its greatness. Each stanza lists the God’s glory and the benefits of worshipping the Shiva Linga. It states that the linga is worshipped by Vishnu and Brahma as well. Filled with peace at all times, it destroys any suffering caused by the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam, Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam l
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam, That pranamami sada shiva lingam lI
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
Which is pure and resplendent, And which destroys sorrows of birth.
Deva Murari pravarchitha Lingam, Kama dahana Karunakara lingam l
Ravana darpa vinashana lingam, That pranamami sad shiva lingam ll
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is worshipped by great sages and devas,
Which destroyed the god of love, Which showers mercy, And which destroyed the pride of Ravana.
Sarva sukandhi sulepitha lingam, Budhi vivarthana karana lingam l
Siddha surasura vandhitha lingam, That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll
I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva, Which is anointed by perfumes,
Which leads to growth of wisdom, And which is worshipped by sages, devas and asuras.
Lingashtakam: Benefits 
1. It bestows peace of mind, wards off negative energy, and keeps negative thoughts away. 
2. It will bless the devotee with good health, wisdom, and prosperity. 
3. It elevates your confidence levels, brings on a positive mindset, and enhances your will power and removes obstacles. 
4. The devotee can rid himself of 8 different types of pain and sorrow (Ashta daridra or dukkha) If you are aware of the meaning of the slokas while reciting it, it brings doubled benefits to you. One also derives eight types of blessings, that of, health, wealth, wealth, progeny, success, long life, fame and peace of mind.
 WE NEED YOUR HELP
We appreciate it if you can help in hiring more people who can go to these villages to do Ghar Waapasi. We have employed 26 people so far. More people we hire, more villages can be covered to welcome them back and also create Chaitanya (Awareness) among the students and villagers. Also,  we are conducting 150 Bala Kendras in five States. Support one or more Kendras. 
1) Sponsor one Bala Samskar Kendra for $1000.00
2) Sponsor one Pracharak: In order to expand our base and hire one Pracharak, it would cost approximately $3000.00 - $3500.00 per year. We have ofive anonymous donors who sponsored 9 Pracharaks
DONATIONS
PayPal Method: To donate visit our website: savetemples.org. Click on the Donate button, then press the Purpose category, and select the General Donation category.
By Check: Or you can send a check payable to: GHHF, . It is tax-deductible.
By Zelle: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com
By Rupees, please contact us by either phone or email.
For more information, call Prakasarao V Velagapudi ; Email: ghhfusaorg@gmail.com

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