Gayatri Homam at SVBF- Southern Chapter

Gayatri Mantra is extolled as the highest mantra in the Vedic texts. Any human being who has
been initiated into the worship of this sacred mantra is extolled to perform the japa( conscious
repetition) of Gayatri everyday without fail. This daily worship is very meritorious and bestows
the practioner with all benefits. Once a year, all initiates are supposed to do a japam of 1008
repetitions of the Gayatri mantra as a prayaschitta( repentance) for all sinful acts that may have
been performed in that year. This annual ritual is called Gayatri Pratipad and is done a day after
Shravana Poornima( day of Yajur upakarma and Rakshabandanam).

In the spirit of Gayatri japam, the southern chapter of the Sringeri Vidya Bharati foundation(
based in Houston) organized a Gayatri Japam. Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation is the
overseas affiliate of the Dakshinamnaya Sharada peetam. The peetam established by the world
renowed Vedic philosopher and teacher, Adi Shankara has an history of nearly two thousand
years.
About 30 people ranging from ages eighty to eight assembled in the morning of eleventh of
August, 2012. The event began with Guruvandam –a reverential prayer to Acharyas of the
Dakshinmanaya Sringeri Sharada Peetam. It was followed by Ganapathi Pooja,
Punyahavachanam, Kalasha Stapana and short poojas to Shankaracharya and Sharadamba-
the presiding diety of Sringeri. Then all the assembled Rithwicks( people who do the japam)
took the Samkalpa to do 1008 count japa of the sacred Gayatri mantra. Braving the Houston
heat, several of the Rithwicks sat in the fierce Houston sun for about 2 hours and unflinchingly
did the japam. Every japam must be followed by dashamsha homa( homam for one tenth the
count of Japam) and dashamsham tarpanam( offering of water for one tenth the count of
Japam). The Rithwicks did the Gayatri homam for 108 ahuti( 108 offerings of Ghee
accompanied by the chanting of Gayatri mantra). It was followed by a Purnahuti( final offering)
and the feeding of the Rithwicks.Each of the participants went home spiritually recharged with a
sacred promise to keep the practice of Gayatri japam every day and eager wait for the event
next year.

Reported by Vivek Natarajan.