I didn’t get to go to an actual event, but I talked to Dr. Nair about an event that is being held on May 29th. The name of the event is the Sri Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam. Mrutyunjaya means the one who conquered death and it is also another form of Shiva. Homa is also known as Yagna the firs sacrifice. The event is performed for good health for all the devotees. Homa is performed while chanting the Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra 108 times. It goes like this:
Om Tryamyambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrutyormuksheeya mamrutaat – Translation – We worship Lord Shiva who has three eyes (Sun, Moon and Fire), who is sacred and who noursihes and grows all beings. We pray to Him to liberate us from death for the sake of Moksha (Immortality), just like a ripe cucumber is automatically released from its attachment to the creeper. Let us all pray together to Lord Mrutyunjaya to free us from illness, from all diseases, to bless us with prosperity, long life, good health and to enhance our Spiritual knowledge.
It starts at 8 am and ends at 1:30 pm. In the beginning, all the lamps located in frint of the deities are lit. Every event starts with the deity Ganapathy. If every event is started with him, then every event will go well. There is then the chanting, sprinkling of holy water, bathing and offering of food (milk, yuogurt, coconut, water, etc.).
I talked to her about events like these in India. She said they do go on, but there can be some variances in the way the events take place.
