Activities at SHCS
Activities at Facility
Cultural Activities
Instruction / Classes
Community-Outreach
Activities at Facility
Global Vishnu Sahasranamam Festival
for World Peace
This is an annual event held throughout the world including USA, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and India.This event mobilizes over 25,000 people all over the world praying for world peace at the same time. SHCS is a privileged participant of this movement since October 2016 at our Facility attracting more than 100 participants.
Vaikuntha Ekadasi
Vaikuntha Ekadasi is one of the most important and auspicious days for Hindus. On this day, the Vaikuntha Dwaram or ‘the Gate to the Lord’s Inner Sanctum’ are believed to be kept open. On this day, Vaikuntha Dwaram is set up at the facility and a large number of people take this opportunity to enter the Vaikuntha Dwaram at the facility on this day. Lord Venkateswara and Consorts (Sridevi and Bhudevi Thaayar) Utsavam is performed followed by Dwara Pooja and opening of Vaikunta Dwaram. They are followed by Upachara Pooja, Aarthi and Archana. In the background, Thiruppavai songs are rendered while these auspicious events are taking place.
Sri Srinivasa Kalyanam
Srinivasa Kalyanam is the largest and grandest of the events conducted by SHCS. It is a unique and sacred celebration of great significance in Sanatana Dharma and is performed for “Loka Kshemam“. Srivari Kalyanotsavam is performed to the utsava murti of the Lord Sri Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi . The wedding ceremony is held amidst recitation of the Vedic mantras and pronouncing the family pedigree of the brides and bridegroom followed by the performance of homas.
Since 2015, Srinivasa Kalyanam has been conducted annually, with participation increasing every year. Today, it is an event eagerly-awaited by many and valued by all. In conducting this event, we seek the protection and prosperity of the world. The word “ut” means grief & “savam” means to remove it – hence performing or participating in a celestial wedding of Lord Venkateswara removes all difficulties.The name “Kalyanam” itself bestows all sorts of goodness.The Kalyana Utsavam of Lord Venkateswara who is Pratyaksha Dhaivam in Kaliyuga has the power of leading mankind to the right path and ultimately to salvation.
Laksharchanai
Another annual event that has been gaining in prominence over the years is Lord Venkateswara Laksharchana. It involves the invocation of the Lord’s name one hundred thousand times. The total number is obtained by multiplying the number of chants with the number of people who sit together and chant in a chorus.
Naivedyam (Prasadam) is offered to the deity 10 times and Arthi, 10 times. Laksharchanais are organized every year for Lord Venkateswara as well as Devi Mata.
Radha Kalyanam
Radha Kalyanam is organized at the facility, generally on the day of Krishna Jayanthi. Inspired by the concept of this celebration, which is the union of the living soul(Radha) with the ultimate soul(Krishna), people flock to the facility to partake in the celebrations.
Dolai/Cradle/Oonjal Utsavam
The idols of the deity being worshipped along with Consorts are seated on the Oonjal/cradle(swing) which is placed on a well-decorated stage or mandapam. The deities are swung to the accompaniment of Sahasranama (1008 names) chant by the preacher and followers.
Navarathri
Navarathri is an occasion to honour the Mother Goddess Durga in all her forms. It is celebrated at the facility for nine days by setting up Golu/Kolu/ Bombe Habba/Bommala Koluvu displaying dolls/figurines of symbolic power. Colourful rangolis (patterns created on the floor or the ground using materials such as colored rice, dry flour, colored sand or flower petals) are created to add beauty to the golu. Sri Durga Suktham and Lalitha Sahasranamam chanting are recited on select days along with Bhajans/Kritis by music students. Dance performances also take place on specific days.
Cultural Activities
SHCS promotes ethnic and unique art forms appealing to the mainstream society as well as the East Indian community through dance, music and drama. This involves organization of programs for the public such as music and dance performances as well as East Indian classical dance, music and language lessons at the facility.
Programmes/Events
Annamayya Swamivaru Festival
Annamācārya (or Annamayya) was a 15th-century Hindu saint and is the earliest known Indian musician to compose songs in Carnatic music and is said to have composed as many as 32,000 Sankeertanas (songs).The Annamayya Swamivaru Music Festival is organized by SHCS every year and all the proponents as well as enthusiasts of Carnatic Music come together and honour his contributions.
Sri Tyagaraja Aradhana
It is a regular annual musical event conducted at the facility to promote East Indian Carnatic music in Calgary. This music festival features a number of talented singers and musicians playing classical music instruments such as violin, mridangam and tabla. This festival not only promotes adult female and male local singing talent, but also encouraged young girls and boys, from Calgary and Edmonton. The festival greatly benefits the cultural enrichment of the participants and the audience.
Dance Festival of India
This event was organized and conducted by SHCS in 2015 to promote young local artistes of East Indian dance forms and to provide a platform to showcase local dance schools along with their dance teachers. The program was very well attended by the local public, benefitting the young dancers and their dance teachers as well as providing cultural exposure and enrichment to the public on East Indian classical dances.
In Subsequent years, SHCS has been organizing various dance concerts on a smaller scale at the facility itself to promote individual dance schools/performers. Thereby, the society promotes the arts and rich culture of India.
Instruction/Classes
Dance Classes
Over the years, SHCS has been offering lessons in various forms of Indian classical dance such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak and others prevalent in different parts of East India. At present, coaching in the ‘Kathak’ form is being offered by Smt.Sonali Joglekar every Thursday evening at the facility. ‘Bharatanatyam’ classes which were offered at the facility earlier have been discontinued at present, but will recommence shortly. For further information, pls. contact info@shcscalgary.com.
Music Lessons
Weekly lessons in classical music as well as semi-classical (Bhajans and Kirthans) have been offered periodically at the facility. These classes can be arranged on regular basis if there is interest expressed by a minimum number of people,. For further information, pls. contact info@shcscalgary.com.
Yoga Classes
SHCS facilitated Yoga Classes for physical and mental benefits of the community over a period of 3 months in 2016 through an experienced Yoga instructor, at the SHCS facility. Similar Yoga sessions can be organized, based on community interest and requests. If you are interested in having these classes at the facility, pls. contact info@shcscalgary.com.
Community-Outreach Activities
Calgary Drop-In Centre
Lunch Sponsor & Serve
SHCS participates in the Lunch Sponsorship Program; a hearty and wholesome lunch is prepared, sponsored and served by 13 SHCS volunteers to people at the Calgary Drop-In Centre at 1 Dermot Baldwin Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G OP8. This program is of immense benefit to the less fortunate members of our society and at the same time provides a great opportunity for SHCS to serve and participate in our local community.
Program for Rural Women in India
In 2015, SHCS participated in a community outreach program to assist women in distress in rural villages of India. This was done in conjunction with Maharashtra Seva Samithi, Calgary, a non-profit organization.
Volunteering at the Food Bank
A team of SHCS members volunteer on behalf of the organization at the Calgary Food Bank every year, lending their time and efforts to sorting food stuffs obtained from donations and grouping them into appropriate categories for distribution.
Veterans Food Drive
A team of volunteers from SHCS joined the Veterans Food Drive in November 2020, organized by Prasad Panda, the MLA for Calgary/Edgemont. The volunteers went from door to door, requesting for and collecting non-perishable foodstuff to be distributed to struggling armed force veterans and their families.