Onam and Ganesha Visarjan - In-person and virtual

From 5:30 PM Pacific Time

On this special Saturday, we will celebrate Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, Amma’s home state in India. Festivities to honor this day will include Pookalam, a fresh flower carpet traditionally made on the porch of every home on Onam in Kerala. This beautiful welcome design will be constructed at the entrance to Amrita Hall. We will also have a visit from Maveli, the king in whose honor Onam festival was started.

Following the Onam celebration will be the Ganesha Visarjan program, the final step in celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi. The Ganesha Visarjan will include the Murthi immersion ceremony, in which the clay Ganesha idols that were individually made and worshiped are immersed in water. This immersion ceremony symbolizes that all forms are temporary, having both their origin and final destination in the formless Absolute. The program will also include a puja, procession, and bhajans.

Join us for this day of double festivities as we celebrate both Onam and the culmination of Ganesha Chaturthi. Join online - MA Center San Ramon YouTube. If attending in person please follow safety protocols listed below.

Schedule:

• Amma's 108 names
• Onam Talk & Celebration
• Ganesh Visarjan - Puja, Procession & Bhajans
• Arati & Closing Prayers
• Prasad, Chai & Onam Meal - Boxed Dinner must be pre-ordered via Food From Home

Prayer list: please submit the names of people to be added by 7:00 PM on Friday at : SRPrayerList

Food

• Prasad and Chai will be available outside the hall after the program.
• A boxed dinner option will be available as part of the Food From Home order form and can be picked up after the program outside the hall. Outdoor seating will be available for dinner (review safety protocols below).

Dinner orders will only be taken via the Food From Home order form

Food From Home meal service
For any snacks or dinner you have the option to order from our Food From Home meal service, for pick up after the program. Food From Home offers deliveries as well as pick up options. See more details and menu for the week on amma.org/foodfromhome.

Please Note:

• BART pickup and the MA Center library will not be available at this time and we apologize for any inconvenience. Stay tuned for updates on when we are able to resume these services.
• Beginning on Saturday, July 30, public livestreams of Saturday programs are discontinued to encourage in-person community attendance. Livestreams of Swamiji's classes, monthly Karthika puja, and special events will continue.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the events team: macsrevents@ammagroups.org

GUIDELINES AND PRECAUTIONS SPECIFIED BY THE MA CENTER BOARD

The MA Center Board has announced that Satsangs may now resume provided they follow the guidelines and precautions below. We must all remember that the health and safety of all who wish to attend satsang should remain uppermost in our minds and hearts.

1.  These protocols were prepared in consultation with medical professionals, together with examination of the CDC guidelines. Satsangs may require stronger guidelines at their discretion in addition to adhering to county and local guidelines.

2. If you feel at all sick, have fever, or have been exposed to anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, please do not attend.

3. Everyone must wear their mask at all times. Masks need to be properly fitted over nose and mouth, N/KN 95 or double masking is recommended.

4. Everyone must maintain social distancing, 6 feet apart, except members of the same household.

5. Arati prasad should be individually wrapped and offered at the altar.

6. Meals, prepared in accordance with current health department guidelines, will be offered in a sealed container.  We encourage you to take meals home. Outdoor seating will be available if you wish to eat on the ashram premises and everyone must maintain proper distancing while eating. Meals cannot be eaten indoors.

Om Namah Shivaya

Swami Dayamritananda Puri
On behalf of the MA Center Board