The Ashtothara Sata Homa Kunda Srichakra Homam, held on September 29, 2012, by Soundarya Lahari in association with Chinmaya Mission in Cranbury, NJ was a huge success. Close to 2000 participants took part by sitting at one of 108 homa kundams situated on a hand-drawn, 62,500 square feet Srichakra. Soudarya Lahari conducted the same homam in 2003 in Durham, New Hampshire to rave reviews. Similar to the event nine years ago, the heavy rains that were predicted by all major weather channels were no where in sight. It was a perfect day, slightly cloudy with the sun peeking in here and there to bless the participants. Another form of blessing came from the skies, with a slightly delayed but perfectly timed aerial photography by helicopter coming just as the Lalitha Sahasranamam was concluded. It was hard for everyone present not to burst out clapping with tears of joy. The event was also broadcast live on the web and viewers from all around the world commented that they could feel the positive energy even through video. The homam, true to Soundarya Lahari style, was done with the utmost respect for tradition. The homam was overseen by Sri Subbarao Kompella garu reciting the Sowbhagya Panchadasi, Lalitha Sahasranamam and Khadgamala Stotram using 108 different herbs, eight different aromatic herbs and five different ghees flown in from India especially for this event. The goal for this unique event was to raise awareness for the rich Indian traditions and inspire a sense of community in this home away from home.  The donations raised at this homam will be used by Soundarya Lahari to build Ashreya, the home of the orphans and elderly and Ananda, the center for vedic knowledge and rituals in Andhra Pradesh, India and by Chinmaya Mission for a new building in Cranbury, NJ. To view photos from the Srichakra Homam, including the magnificent aerial photos and for more information about Ashreya and Ananda, please visit www.srimeru.org or call Sri Mani Akella at 908-240-9232.

|