The Saturday Annadanam Program

The Saturday Annadanam Program has been going on without any interruptions by the grace of Sri Venkateswara Perumal and Annapurneshwari. As part of this program, every Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Maha Prasad Food is served to devotees who visit the Temple. The program has been successful due to the continuous support and tremendous response from all the devotees and volunteers.

Sri Balaji Temple greatly appreciates all the community members for their support. Please take this opportunity and come forward to support this great tradition of Annadanam. Every Saturday, Maha Prasadam (Lunch) is served to devotees at 12:30 p.m. after the Arathi, Sattrumurai, and Prasad.

Sri Balaji Temple requests devotees to support the temple through Annadhanam sponsorship. The suggested donation is $108.00.

Everyone is aware of the greatness of Annadhanam. "Annadaanam Param Dhanam" - There is no greater dhanam than Annadhanam because of the contentment of the Gruhastha in serving the food and the Adhithi in consuming what has been served. In other material dhanam, such complete contentment is not there.

Importance of Annadhanam

All about food (Annam) and the importance of Anna Dhana.

Whatever beings exist on earth, they are all born out of food. By food alone they remain alive, and to that, they return in the end.

Food is called 'annam' because the created beings both consume it and are consumed by it too. It is the first among all the medicaments of life.

While many have criticized that feeding guests or devotees is the prime agenda in any of our social or religious functions, the Manu Smrithi states that it is the duty of a Gruhastha to offer food to his guests. As prayaschitha for daily accruing papas, it is ordained to perform five Yagnas daily:

1. Brahma Yagnam - Rishis are pleased through Saswara Vedic Chanting.
2. Deva Yagnam - Devas are pleased through Homa.
3. Pithur Yagnam - Pithrus are pleased through Shraadha.
4. Manushya Yagnam - Adhithi (guests) are pleased by the food offered.
5. Bootha Yagnam - Bhoothas are pleased through Baliharanam.

Satisfying the Adhithi or guest is the prime duty of the Gruhastha, and the offering of Pancha Bhakshya should be to the utmost satisfaction of the guest.

The Pancha Bhakshyas:

1. Bhakshya: Sweets like ladoo, boli, etc.
2. Bhojya: Rice, sambar, etc.
3. Lehyam: Pachadi, kojju, etc.
4. Chohyam: Side items like chitraannam, fruit salad (dessert), etc.
5. Paneeyam: Rasam, paayasam.

Our Smrithi states that money can be spent in three ways: for Daanam (charity), for Bhogam (self-happiness), or it gets destroyed (naasham). If one does not donate or use it righteously, it gets lost.

"Annadaanam Param Dhanam" - There is no greater dhanam than Annadhanam because of the joy it brings to both the server and the receiver.

Mathru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, and Adhithi Devo Bhava is a saying from the Taitreya Upanishad.

Parents are satisfied by the seva of their children, Acharya by the service of his disciples, and Adhithi by the food served by the Gruhastha. By satisfying these, the Gruhastha is blessed with Saaswatha Brahmalokam.

While it is the duty of the Gruhastha to satisfy the Adhithi, the Adhithi also has a duty in blessing the Gruhastha with "Annadaatha Sukhi Bhava" – a wish for eternal bliss.

Our ancestors advised us that whenever we donate, we should give to the deserving. The Tamil saying is "Paathiram arindu Pichhai Podu". In ancient times, Brahmins lived by praying for the welfare of society, and serving them food was the duty of Gruhasthas. Later, Gruhasthas realized some recipients were selfish and switched to feeding the poor, which became predominant. Serving the poor is now aptly termed as Narayana Seva.

If a person cannot undertake the task individually, they can join a group where such activities are conducted.

Before eating food, one should pray: "Namasthe Annam Asmakam Nityam Asthu ethath" as thanks to God for providing food. Similarly, after eating, the Uttara-Aposanam is performed to share water with the deserving souls in other realms.

Please consider doing Annadhanam and achieve two things:

1. Supporting the Temple
2. Serving food to the Gruhastha or Adhitihi

Devotees are requested to sign up for Anna Dhanam sponsorship by calling the temple at 248-874-1544 or emailing sridharv1@yahoo.com.

The suggested sponsorship for Anna Dhanam is $108.00.

Every Saturday, Maha Prasadam (Lunch) will be served to devotees at 12:30 p.m. regularly.

May the blessings of Lord Venkateswara be with you and your family always!

Thanks,

Sri Balaji Temple