Saivite Immersion Camp

The week long Saivite Immersion Camp conducted every summer by the Sri Rajarajeswary Temple, for children between the ages of 8 to 16 commenced in 2004 with 32 boys and girls. Over the intervening 4 years the number of campers has grown to 100 with many of the former campers taking on the role of Councillors in Training as well as full Councillors upon reaching 18. Over the course of the week, campers are exposed to the basic principles and practices of Sanatana Dharma as well as aspects of South Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil culture. Lectures and workshops ranging from holistic healthy lifestyles to ancient Vedic astronomy and mathematics ensured that a strong secular component was part of the camp’s learning experience. Physical health is not neglected with camp participants being exposed to yoga and traditional South Indian games as well as soccer, kayaking and volleyball.

While the newly constructed facilities have allowed the intake to significantly increase currently there is a waiting list of prospective campers. For further details on enrolment please contact the temple.

Saivite Classes in Markham

One Sunday a month Haran Aiya conducts two consecutive classes at a Markham residential location. The first, commencing at 12.30PM with a duration of one hour is for children between the ages of 6 and 12 while the second commencing at 1.30PM with a duration of two hours is for teenagers (13 years and over).

The classes are aimed at exposing children and teenagers to the fundamental elements of Sanatana Dharma with an emphasis on the Saivite tradition. Classes include stories, discussion of current events, guidance on moral issues that face teenagers in this country as well as the importance of Tamil culture.

For further details on enrolment please contact the temple.

Workshops

From time to time Haran Aiya conducts various workshops on Sanatana Dharma in locations all over the USA and Canada. Over the past few years he has also conducted workshops in Europe and Australia. Workshops relate to various aspects of Sanatana Dharma with a particular emphasis on the Sri Vidya tradition. Workshops cover an eclectic range of subjects from the conduct of puja, the meaning behind homams and the significance of Shiva and his consort.

Upcoming workshops are posted in the website along with contact information.

Temple Youth Group

In keeping with the teaching mandate of the temple a Youth Group has been formed to educate youth between the ages of 6 and 23 in the rituals associated with pujas, homams, abishekams, alankarams of the deities and naivediyams. The members are assigned specific tasks in the preparation for the homam and abishekam each Saturday and as they master each ritual the level of responsibility assigned becomes progressively greater. For interested youths the Youth Group presents a great opportunity to gain familiarity both practically and theoretically, with the Sri Vidya tradition of temple ritual.

To become part of the youth group, please contact the group leader Tharuman Thavakumar at the group’s email address, svtsyouth@hotmail.com

The SVTS Youth Group is a vital part of the temple community. We hope you will become part of the temple and join our youth in maintaining the temple’s pristine land, culture, and rituals!.